Briards: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

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 should 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 a light hand. This breed has a long memory and doesn't easily forgive or forget harsh handling.

If you want a dog who...

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Briards have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy.

More traits and characteristics of the Briard

If I was considering a Briard, I would be most concerned about...

1. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Briards need regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become bored, which they may express by destructive chewing.
2. 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
3. Potential animal aggression. Some Briards are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some are not good with cats – remember, these are herding dogs with strong instincts to chase.
4. Stubbornness. Briards are 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.

   To teach your Briard to listen to you, I recommend "Respect Training." Read my free online training programs.

5. "Shaggy dog syndrome." Without frequent brushing, Briards become a matted mess. Like all shaggy dogs, the Briard is a messy dog. Leaves, mud, snow, fecal matter, and other debris cling to his long wavy 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. Shaggy dogs are not suited to fastidious housekeepers.

   But Briards don't need to be shaggy. You can shear or trim the coat so it's short, neat, and healthy. Problem solved!

6. Finding one and paying the price. Not many Briard puppies are born each year and not many adults are available for adoption. Expect a long waiting list and a high price tag.