Herding dog Large size 30-45 kg

Briard

A loyal, protective French herder with a heavy long coat - devoted to family but demanding on grooming, exercise and early socialization.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
30-45 kg, 56-69 cm tall
High
Activity
Herding drive; needs regular exercise and work
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Very bonded; dislikes long absences
High
Trainability
Smart and biddable with consistent guidance
Very high
Coat care
Long coat mats fast; brush most days
Good
Fit with kids
Protective and gentle with family children
Moderate
Other pets
Herding instinct; socialize early
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, eye issues, bloat

The Briard typically weighs 30-45 kg, stands 56-69 cm, and lives 10-12 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a large, devoted family guardian that is soft with its own people,
you genuinely enjoy grooming or will budget for a professional every few weeks,
you can offer daily exercise plus a job - herding, tracking, obedience,
someone is home most days; this breed attaches hard.

Do not consider this breed if…

several hours of weekly coat work sounds like a chore, not a hobby,
the dog would regularly be alone 6 or more hours,
you cannot commit to serious early socialization - wariness of strangers turns into suspicion without it,
you want an easygoing dog that welcomes every visitor.

A typical day with a Briard

  1. 6:45 · Morning
    Long walk or run; it happily matches your pace
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Settles where it can watch the whole family
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk, a few minutes of obedience work
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Brushing session - little and often beats mat removal
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Play, training or herding-style games in the yard
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps near the bedroom door, on quiet guard

Temperament and training

Loyalty to family Very high
Protectiveness High
Intelligence High
Wariness of strangers High
Herding instinct High
Independence Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Letting the coat go a week too long, then facing a full shave-down · Skipping stranger socialization in puppyhood and getting a suspicious adult · Buying from lines without hip scores and the CSNB gene test

Family and environment

Kids Good
Famously devoted to family children; may herd running kids.
Dogs Conditional
Fine with early socialization; can be pushy with strange dogs.
Cats Conditional
Usually accepts its own cat when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with heavy daily exercise, but tight for 40 kg of coat.
House with a yard Suitable
A fenced yard plus real walks is the right setup.
City Manages
With socialization; crowds of strangers are work for it.
Countryside Ideal
Space and a flock-guarding role suit its history.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Common large-breed joint concern
Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) Briard-specific inherited eye disease; DNA test exists
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested; know the warning signs
Hypothyroidism Manageable with medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The Briard's short-coated French cousin
Beauceron
A powerful French herder for experienced owners who can give it a real job - not a fit for first-time or low-activity homes.
View profile →
Rugged, protective herder with a heavy coat
Bouvier des Flandres
A rugged, protective herding dog that is loyal and trainable - well suited to active homes willing to handle its size, coat and strong will.
View profile →
Long-coated herder with a lighter, merrier temperament
Bearded Collie
A bouncy, cheerful herding dog that adores its family, but the shaggy double coat is a major, non-negotiable grooming commitment.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Briard cost in the US?
Well-bred puppies from health-tested parents typically run $1,500-$3,000, and litters are infrequent, so expect a waitlist. Over a 10-12 year life, plan on $25,000-$40,000+ once you count food for a 30-45 kg dog, routine vet care and grooming - professional coat care alone can add $600-$1,500 a year if you do not brush at home.
How much grooming does a Briard really need?
Several hours a week, for life. The long double coat mats quickly behind the ears, in the armpits and under the collar; most owners brush thoroughly 2-3 times weekly and line-brush to the skin. Skimp on it and you end up paying a groomer to shave the dog, which defeats the point of the breed.
Are Briards aggressive with strangers?
A well-socialized Briard is aloof with strangers, not aggressive - it was bred to guard the flock and decide who belongs. That discernment needs deliberate, early and ongoing socialization; an under-socialized Briard can become genuinely suspicious and hard to live with. This is not a breed to raise casually.
What health tests should a Briard breeder show?
At minimum hip evaluations (OFA or equivalent) on both parents, an eye exam, and the DNA test for congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), a Briard-specific inherited eye disease. Ask about bloat history in the line too - deep-chested breeds like this carry a lifelong GDV risk.