General Appearance
A dog of handsome form. Vigorous and alert, powerful without coarseness, strong in bone and muscle, exhibiting the strength and agility required of the herding dog.
Owning
The Briard is intelligent, loyal, and obedient. Even a Briard who is strictly a companion, will display his herding instincts, often pushing his owner with his head to give him direction. They will often consider the children in their family their flock and they will herd them or keep them within the boundaries the Briard considers home. The Briard is referred to as ''a heart wrapped with fur.'' He is not the dog for every home; his remarkable character can only be developed by an owner willing to devote time and affection.
Temperament
He is a dog at heart, with spirit and initiative, wise and fearless with no trace of timidity. Intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle, and obedient, the Briard possesses an excellent memory and an ardent desire to please his master. He retains a high degree of his ancestral instinct to guard home and master. Although he is reserved with strangers, he is loving and loyal to those he knows. Some will display a certain independence.
Did You Know
The Briard is a very old breed of French working dog. The first litter of Briards registered with the American Kennel Club was in 1922. Barbara Danielson of Groton, Massachusetts, was the breeder. A Briard's coat requires regular grooming or the hair that is shed will cause matting, which is difficult to remove.