Briard
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.
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Briard
Finding a responsible Briard breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Briard. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Briards appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Briard breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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