Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, long.
A Briard suits
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 1 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a fairly quiet dog. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 150.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Airedale TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Briard vs Airedale Terrier · Briard vs Bedlington Terrier · Briard vs Glen of Imaal Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Briards good with kids?
The AKC rates the Briard 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Briards shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.
Are Briards easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Briard have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Briard page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.