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Briard

The Briard, or Berger de Brie, is a French herding dog documented since the Middle Ages, used to move and guard flocks on the plains east of Paris.

It has a long goat-textured coat, a full beard and eyebrows that fall over the eyes, and — required by the standard — double dewclaws on each hind leg.

It stands 56 to 68 centimetres, weighs 25 to 45 kilograms and lives ten to twelve years. It is intelligent, protective and independent-minded, with the herding dog's tendency to make decisions. The breed holds an unusual place in medicine: Briard congenital night blindness was the model in which RPE65 gene therapy was first proven, work that led directly to a human treatment for inherited blindness.

Origin
Brie region, France; herding since the Middle Ages
Size
56–68 cm; 25–45 kg
Lifespan
10–12 years
Coat
Long, coarse and goat-like; substantial grooming
Feature
Double dewclaws on each hind leg, required by the standard
Health
Congenital stationary night blindness — DNA testable; hip dysplasia, bloat

2 briard photos, newest first

Briard feed
  • Amber, a briard

    Amber

    Amber was promoted to scientist monitoring a bubbling but harmless experiment; unfortunately, a toy wheelbarrow tips at the worst moment.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Amber, a briard

    Amber

    This is Amber at maximum enthusiasm.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a briard

Ask for the CSNB DNA test. Congenital stationary night blindness is recessive and testable, and affected dogs cannot see in low light from birth. The breed's role in RPE65 gene therapy research is a genuine piece of medical history, but no buyer should be acquiring an affected puppy today.

The double hind dewclaws do not touch the ground, so they do not wear and must be trimmed regularly or they curl into the leg.

The coat needs thorough brushing to the skin several times a week; it mats badly underneath if only surfaced.

Deep chest means bloat risk — learn the signs.

They are protective and strong-willed and need early socialisation and consistent, non-harsh training. Ask for hip scores.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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