| Briards: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Briard personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Briard, including these excerpts:
"Vigorous and spirited in body, independent and purposeful in mind, the Briard can be serious ("a reserved philosopher") or a humorous clown.
His light, supple gait, like that of a large feline, has been described as "quicksilver," permitting him to make the springing starts, abrupt turns, and sudden stops required of a shepherd dog.
Athletic and agile under that long coat, the Briard needs some hard exercise each day. Mental exercise (herding, agility, tracking) is just as important to this thinking breed.
Matching his stern appearance, he is aloof and discriminating with strangers, keen-eyed and watchful. Socialization must be early and frequent so that his watchfulness does not shade into aggression or shyness. Spookiness is unfortunately present in some lines.
Most Briards are territorial with other animals, but usually good with the pets in their own family, if raised with them.
You must discourage his habit of poking or pushing people and other pets with his huge, powerful head in an attempt to keep them within boundaries.
Briards like to control situations and require a confident, consistent owner who knows how to lead.
However, they are very sensitive (sometimes overly so) and must be treated with respect and a light hand. This breed has a long memory and doesn't easily forgive or forget harsh handling."
History
Named for the Brie region of France, the Briard both herded and guarded the flocks. He was also the official dog of the French army, serving as messenger dog, sentry dog, and in search and rescue for the medical corps.
Size
22-27 inches and 55-100 lbs |
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Briards
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large and powerful -- yet also quick-moving and agile
- Has a shaggy, tousled, rustic coat
- Thrives on vigorous athletic activities
- Is watchful and aloof with strangers
A Briard may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Suspiciousness or fearfulness when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Stubbornness (mind of his own)
- Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- Frequent brushing and combing
- Shedding
- "Shaggy dog syndrome," i.e. debris clinging to the coat, water soaking into the beard and dripping on your floors
- Waiting lists and a high price tag
A Briard may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Briard... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Briards MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by destructive chewing. Bored Briards can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.
Briards were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking, pushing) are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. |
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Briards need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with and could even lead to defensive biting.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Briard puppies. Young Briards (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Briards. |
- Animal aggression. Some Briards are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures.
- Stubbornness. Briards are not Golden Retrievers. The best Briards are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. But Briards are also so sensitive that if you correct them too harshly, they may "shut down" and become even more resistant. It often takes an experienced trainer to bring out the best in this breed.
| To teach your Briard to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Briard Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Grooming. Without frequent brushing, Briards become a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short, neat, and healthy.
- Shedding. Briards definitely shed, though some of the shed hair gets caught in the long wavy coat rather than ending up on your floor. Thus, frequent brushing is essential not only for keeping the coat mat-free, but for removing shed hair.
- "Shaggy dog syndrome." Like all shaggy dogs, the Briard is a messy dog. Leaves, mud, snow, fecal matter, and other debris cling to his rough coat and ends up all over your house. When he drinks, his beard absorbs water, which drips on your floors when he walks away. When he eats, his beard absorbs food so that when he sniffs your face or presses his head against your leg, YOU end up dirty, too. Big shaggy dogs are not suited to fastidious housekeepers.
- Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, less than 300 new Briard puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.) And many breeders are charging $1000 and up.
| Not all Briards are alike! |
- There are energetic Briards, and placid Briards.
- Hard-headed Briards, and sweet-natured Briards.
- Serious Briards, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Briards, and Briards who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Briard puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Briard... |
There are plenty of adult Briards who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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