🦮 Large · France
A large, long-coated French herding dog with a watchful temperament that needs extensive grooming and consistent activity.
The Briard is bold, alert and protective of its family with a pronounced watchdog instinct, reserved toward strangers. It's considered highly intelligent but also strong-willed and needs a confident owner.
As a herding breed, the Briard needs daily, extensive exercise plus mental stimulation, for example through herding or protection sports. Understimulation often shows up as excessive guarding and barking.
The long, rough double coat requires thorough brushing several times a week to prevent matting, along with regular checks of the eyes, which are covered by hair. Overall grooming demands are high.
Because of its size, guarding instinct and heavy grooming needs, better suited to experienced owners with time for coat care and consistent socialization. Early exposure to many people reduces excessive wariness.
Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is described as breed-typical, and hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism occur frequently. The deep chest also carries an elevated risk of gastric torsion.
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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.
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