Breed library

Briard

Also known as Berger de Brie.

Briard photograph.
Briard fauve.JPG - Birgit Balzer, Deutschland (uploaded by Caronna 17:00, 10 Feb 2005 (UTC)). CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Briard_fauve.JPG. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Briard or Berger de Brie is a French breed of large shepherd dog, traditionally used both for herding sheep and to defend them. It was in the past also known as the Chien de Berger français de Plaine. It was first shown in 1863, at the first Paris dog show; the first Briard to be registered in the Livre des Origines Françaises, the national stud-book, was Sans Gêne in 1885.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: FranceBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Briard originated in, and is named for, the Brie historic region of north-central France, where it was traditionally used both for herding sheep and to defend them.
  • The first written mention of the shepherd dogs of Brie is thought to be in the Cours complet d'agriculture of Jean-Baptiste François Rozier, who in 1783 wrote that the "chien de Brie" was long-haired and usually black; that in the open plains there was little danger from wolves, and so the dogs were used more for herding than for defence; and that shepherd dogs had the task of preventing the sheep from straying into crops or vineyards where they might cause damage.
  • Pierre Mégnin, writing in 1895, clearly distinguishes the short-haired Chien de Beauce - the modern Beauceron - from the long-haired Chien de Brie or Briard.
  • In 1896, Mégnin was among those who founded the Club des chiens de berger français.
  • The Berger de Brie was first shown at the first Paris dog show in 1863, where a bitch named Charmant took a prize.

Size and appearance

The coat is long - no less than 7 cm - and thick and harsh like that of a goat; it may be solid black, grey, blue or fawn, or fawn overlaid with black; greying is seen to a variable extent. Dogs stand some 62 to 68 cm at the withers, bitches about 56 to 64 cm. An unusual characteristic of the breed is the double dewclaw on the hind legs; the breed standard specifies a single or absent dewclaw as a disqualifying fault.

  • Height reference: 56 - 64 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 56 - 64 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 64 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 56 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 62 - 68 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 62 - 68 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 68 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 62 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: wavy
  • Height category: tall

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: wavy

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Add Briard to a comparison

Breed history

The Briard originated in, and is named for, the Brie historic region of north-central France, where it was traditionally used both for herding sheep and to defend them. Pierre Mégnin, writing in 1895, clearly distinguishes the short-haired Chien de Beauce - the modern Beauceron - from the long-haired Chien de Brie or Briard. In 1896, Mégnin was among those who founded the Club des chiens de berger français.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. Briard - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Briard, revision 1369336388. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Briard&action=history
  4. File:Briard fauve.JPGWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Briard fauve.JPG - Birgit Balzer, Deutschland (uploaded by Caronna 17:00, 10 Feb 2005 (UTC)). CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Briard_fauve.JPG. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.