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Briard

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1. General Description of the Briard

   The Briard is a strong, powerful dog bred for herding. The head is fairly long with moderate width, and the skull and muzzle are both rectangular in shape. Eyes are large, level, and set far apart. They are either dark brown or black in color depending on the color of the coat. The expression is one of confidence and curiosity. Ears are thick and leathery, set high and slightly lifted. Some owners and breeders choose to crop the ears, others do not. The muzzle is wide and adorned with a mustache and beard. The topline of the muzzle is parallel with the topline of the skull. The nose is square shaped and black. Lips are black, and teeth meet in a scissors bite. The neck is strong and muscular, leading down to a slightly slanted topline. The chest is well-muscled, strong and proportionate. The tail is curved, long and carried low. The Briard sports a tight, fine undercoat and a coarse, long and wavy outer coat. Most all colors other than white are standard for this breed, including black, gray and tawny.

2. Briard Temperament

   The Briard is protective and watchful over her family members. Because of this, the dog can often be standoffish with strangers and should be introduced gently to new people and animals. This breed is gentle with children and enjoys their company. Because these dogs can be so wary, it is crucial to socialize them from the time they are puppies. This means lots of walks and visits to populated areas and introductions to new people as well as animals. These dogs can be just as comfortable in the city as in the country, provided they are exercised properly. They are moderately difficult to train due to their independent nature, and possess an excellent memory.

3. Caring for a Briard

   Because the Briard's coat is long and shaggy, it will need regular brushing with a coarse-bristled brush and strong detangling comb. The coat naturally repels dirt, and bathing should be done only when the dog is very dirty. By grooming your dog regularly, you can help prevent mats from forming in the coat. The ears should be kept clean and free of dirt and mites, and nails should be trimmed as needed. You may also need to trim the hair that grows between the toes. If you keep your Briard groomed correctly, you will find that he or she hardly sheds at all. Documented health problems in the breed include canine hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, progressive retinal atrophy and heart problems.

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We include the following list of misspellings so our internal search tools can send you to the right place. People often misspell Briard as Brierd, Breard, or Brieard