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Briard (Berger de Brie)
Breed profile

Briard (Pastor de Brie)

An ancient French herding dog. A long coat covers the eyes. Intelligent, loyal and watchful. Excellent with the children of its own family. Reserved with strangers. It was the dog of Charlemagne and Napoleon.

Origin: Francia (Brie) Size: Grande Lifespan: 10-12 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Mizuu editorial teamupdated on October 14, 2026Not yet reviewed by a vet. Are you a vet? Review itReport an error

Ideal for

  • Very active families
  • Homes with a garden
  • Dog sports (agility, obedience)

Reconsider if

  • ×Sedentary families
  • ×Flats without daily exercise
  • ×Homes where it is alone for many hours (it suffers)

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Is the Briard (Pastor de Brie) a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats
Suitable for first-timers
Good with children
With other dogs
With cats
Tolerates being alone
Energy level
Ease of training
Shedding level
Grooming needs
Tendency to bark
Tolerates heat
Tolerates cold

Estimated cost of ownership

65-105 €/month

Food 38-58 €, brushing materials/occasional grooming 10-18 €, antiparasitics 10-15 €, veterinary fund 18-28 €. Brushing at home saves on professional grooming.

History and origin

Recognised by the FCI. Originating in France (Brie). An ancient French herding dog.

Temperament and character

Intelligent, hard-working and loyal to its family. Needs mental AND physical stimulation — boredom is the main cause of behavioural problems. Excellent with positive training.

Living together

Children: good with its own. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Life stages of the Briard (Pastor de Brie)

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 10-12 años.

Puppy

0-15 months

Socialisation of this intelligent and protective herder; early eye screening (stationary night blindness/retinal atrophy).

Young

1.5-3 years

Plenty of exercise and mental work; firm training; brushing the long coat and split meals.

Adult

3-7 years

Weight control, joint health (hips) and thyroid blood work; ophthalmological monitoring.

Senior

7+ years

Eye examinations, joint support and periodic thyroid monitoring.

Care

Exercise: 90-120 min/day split up. Off-lead time in a secure area is essential.

Brushing: 2-3 times/week; daily during moulting.

Feeding: quality food suited to its physical work.

Vet: annual check-up plus blood work from age 5.

Care in detail

Nutrition

Quality food for a large, active breed, split into several meals (bloat prevention) and adjusted to its physical work, avoiding excess weight.

Grooming

A long, wavy coat that covers the eyes: brushing 2-3 times a week (more during moulting) to prevent matting, with attention to the eyes, beard and paws.

Training

Very intelligent, loyal and somewhat stubborn, with a protective instinct: it needs broad socialisation and positive reinforcement. Excellent in obedience and agility.

Exercise

90-120 min of daily exercise and mental work; an energetic herder that does not fit sedentary households.

Breed-specific health

Hip/elbow dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (genetic test recommended). Life expectancy 10-12 years with proper care.

Health predispositions for this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

Atrofia progresiva de retinaDisplasia de caderaHipotiroidismoTorsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

Dermatitis atópicaTiña (dermatofitosis)Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)GastroenteritisParvovirosis caninaTorsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)
See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Briard (Pastor de Brie)

Recommended tests and screenings

  • Genetic test for congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) — characteristic of the breed
  • Official hip radiograph (dysplasia)
  • Blood work with thyroid profile (hypothyroidism)
  • Monitoring for gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)

Prevention

Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, split meals to prevent bloat, frequent brushing of the long coat and weight control. Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with a periodic thyroid profile; blood work from age 5 and two visits a year from age 8.

Warning signs

  • !Swollen abdomen with retching but no vomiting (bloat: EMERGENCY)
  • !Bumping into things or insecurity in low light from puppyhood (CSNB)
  • !Weight gain, dull coat or apathy (hypothyroidism)
  • !Lameness or hip stiffness

Briard (Pastor de Brie) gallery

Foto de la raza briard
Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Briard (Pastor de Brie)

How long does a Briard (Pastor de Brie) live?

▾
The life expectancy of the Briard (Pastor de Brie) is 10-12 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Briard (Pastor de Brie) weigh?

▾
An adult Briard (Pastor de Brie) weighs between 30-40 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

Where does the Briard (Pastor de Brie) breed come from?

▾
The Briard (Pastor de Brie) originates from Francia (Brie). Recognised by the FCI. Originating in France (Brie). An ancient French herding dog.

How much exercise does a Briard (Pastor de Brie) need?

▾
The Briard (Pastor de Brie) has alta energy. **Exercise:** 90-120 min/day split up. Off-lead time in a secure area is essential.

Is the Briard (Pastor de Brie) good with children?

▾
**Children:** good with its own. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Who is the Briard (Pastor de Brie) NOT recommended for?

▾
It isn't the right breed for: Sedentary families. Flats without daily exercise. Homes where it is alone for many hours (it suffers). It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Briard (Pastor de Brie) have?

▾
Hip/elbow dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (genetic test recommended). Life expectancy 10-12 years with proper care.

Can it see well with all that hair over its eyes?

▾
Yes, the fringe does not stop it seeing and is part of the standard; it should not be trimmed back excessively. CSNB is a different matter, a hereditary night blindness that does affect its vision in dim light and is worth screening for.

Is it a good guard dog?

▾
Yes, it is watchful, brave and protective of its family, historically a herding and guard dog (Charlemagne and Napoleon owned one). That is why it needs broad socialisation from puppyhood to distinguish real threats.

How much coat maintenance does it need?

▾
Quite a lot. Its long coat needs brushing 2-3 times a week to prevent matting and clumping, with more effort during moulting. It is manageable at home, but constant.

Does it adapt to living in a flat?

▾
It is not ideal. It is a high-energy herder that needs 1.5-2 hours of daily exercise and mental work; in a sedentary home it gets bored and can become destructive or a barker.

Is it good with children?

▾
With those of its own family it is affectionate and protective. Its tendency to 'herd' can make it try to shepherd children; with training and supervision it is well managed.

Learn more about dogs

Practical veterinary guides to support your Briard (Pastor de Brie).

First day at home

Settling into the new home

Socialisation

How and when to socialise

Behaviour

Positive training

Parasite control

Complete schedule

Vet emergencies

When to rush in

Senior dog

Care from age 7

Sources and references

Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.

Do you have a Briard (Pastor de Brie)?

Add them to Mizuu and we will remind you what is due for their breed and age: Genetic test for congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) — characteristic of the breed, check-ups and vaccines.

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Briard (Pastor de Brie): temperament, health and care | Mizuu