Briard dogs have a loving, playful and sometimes clownish personality. Their aloofness can be quite endearing, and the Briard is loving and affectionate towards his family. This is also owing to their origins as a herding and guard dog, so they have a tendency to be quite protective of loved ones whenever they encounter a stranger.
Briards were even used during World War I to deliver messages, ammunition, and act as sentries. Even today, the Briard is obedient, hardworking, and excels at activities such as carting, tracking, conforming, and herding.
Appearance:
Body: Well-boned and well-muscled with a broad, deep chest and level back
Coat: Course, rough outer coat that lies flat, somewhat wavy, with a fine and tight undercoat
Color: Many different solid colors such as black, gray, and shades of tawny, with light colored ears and face
Ears: Short, set high and covered with long hair. Ears may be cropped or natural
Eyes: Large and dark with black rims and covered somewhat with eyebrows
Feet: Round, powerful and well-padded with well-arched toes and hard black nails
Head: Large, long and strong with a pronounced stop, square muzzle, large black nose, black lips, and distinctive beard and moustache
Legs: Forelegs are long, angled, muscular, and well-boned. Hind legs are angled, well-muscled, and powerful
Neck: Strong and muscular. The “AKC” standards describe the Briard’s neck as being “in the shape of a truncated cone, clearing the shoulders well.”
Size:
Weight: 74 – 76 pounds (33.5 – 34.5kg)
Height: 22 – 27 inches (58 – 69cm)
Tail: Long and curled at the end
Behavior
- Recommended for experienced handlers
The Briard is a gentle, easily trained, and loyal dog who is also obedient and protective of it’s family. He is a well-mannered, energetic, handsome dog with an intelligent, loving, playful, sometimes clownish, personality. The Briard is big-hearted, rugged, and always alert to what is going on around him.
He is a highly energetic working breed of dog who excels at herding and protecting his sheep and family. With his herding instincts, he will try to nudge and push the people around him into a group where he can control and protect them. The owner must be experienced enough to handle such situations without being disrespectful of the dog.
Early socialization and obedience training are important for teaching him who is friend and who is foe. Without the proper training and socializing as a pup, he may become an aggressive adult. This is a large, powerful dog in need of an experienced handler able to devote a great deal of time to raising and exercising him. Positive training by a confident, passionate handler will bring out the best in this sensitive dog.
Breed Type
AKC Group: Herding Group
Originally bred to herd and guard sheep.
During World War One, the Briard was used to move ammunition and other supplies between the troops and to assist in locating injured soldiers. Because of his keen sense of hearing, he was also used to alert the troops of surprise enemy attacks. Today the Briard is used as guide dogs for the blind and in search and rescue missions for the police, as well as guard dogs.