Exercising a Briard Dog Breed: A Complete Guide
With their history as working sheepdogs in France, Briards are an energetic breed that requires regular exercise and activity. Providing enough physical and mental stimulation is key to having a well-behaved Briard. Read on to learn more about exercising this intelligent dog breed.
Briard Characteristics
Here's a quick look at the traits that point to the Briard's high exercise needs:
- Originally bred to herd sheep all day
- Very high intelligence and stamina
- Adults range from 55-100 pounds
- Muscular build with lots of strength and endurance
- Active, alert nature with puppy-like energy well into adulthood
- Prone to boredom, anxiety, and destructiveness without enough activity
Briards are working dogs through and through. With the right amount of activity, they thrive as companions. But their exercise requirements can be intense for novice dog owners.
Exercise Guidelines
Most Briards need 45-60 minutes of activity per day. Ideally this should be broken up into multiple sessions.
As a puppy up to 1 year old, focus on:
- 10-15 minutes of activity 3-4 times daily
- Playing games like fetch to develop coordination
- Socialization experiences and training classes for mental enrichment
- Always allow rest periods to avoid overexertion of growing joints
For adult Briards aim for:
- 30-45 minutes brisk walking or jogging
- Active play like chasing balls, swimming, or hiking on leash
- At least 10-15 minutes should be off-leash running in a safe area
- Mental stimulation through obedience, agility training, or interactive toys
Adjust activity levels based on your individual Briard's needs. Less active pets or seniors may require slightly less exercise. But most Briards thrive with upwards of an hour per day.
Types of Exercise for Briards
Briards need both physical and mental exercise to be happy, healthy pets.
Physical Exercise
- Walking/running - Briards love brisk walks or jogging with their owner. Aim for 4-6 miles total most days.
- Play - Playing fetch, chasing balls, and interacting with dog friends provides important activity.
- Swimming - Many Briards enjoy retrieving toys and swimming laps. Rivers, lakes, pools, and beaches offer variety.
- Hiking - Long hikes on leash allow Briards to use their senses and explore nature.
- Agility - With training, Briards excel at agility courses and competition. Jumps and tunnels provide an athletic outlet.
Mental Exercise
- Training - Formal obedience, trick training, or other canine sports tax the Briard's smarts.
- Puzzle toys - Dispense treats or kibble as the dog manipulates the toy to get them out.
- Snuffle mats - Hide treats in the mat's fleece for dogs to root out using their nose.
- New experiences - Socialization outings, travel, and introducing new sights/sounds keep Briards engaged.
Focus on providing both physical and mental exercise. A tired Briard is a well-behaved Briard less prone to mischief and destruction.
Exercise Tips for Briard Owners
Here are some tips for providing adequate exercise for your Briard:
- Establish a routine - Have set walk and play times so your Briard knows what to expect each day.
- Provide off-leash time - Briards really benefit from at least 10-15 minutes of running off-leash in a securely fenced area to sprint and play.
- Bring toys on walks - Let your Briard carry and periodically fetch toys during walks to give him an active job.
- Vary locations - Hike different trails or visit new dog parks to add diversity to your outings.
- Sign up for dog sports - Try agility, flyball, dock diving, or other sports that both you and your dog enjoy.
- Consider doggy daycare - Take advantage of doggy daycares or walkers on your busiest days.
- Always supervise - Outside of safely enclosed areas, keep your Briard leashed or long line for their safety. Their recall is not reliable.
Learning your individual Briard's exercise style and preferences allows you to tailor activities to meet their needs. As long as they receive adequate physical and mental stimulation each day, Briards make wonderfully devoted companions.
Common Exercise Problems With Briards
Despite your best efforts, you may encounter some common issues when exercising a Briard:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Pulling on leash | Use no-pull harnesses and halt quickly if they lunge. Reward for slack leash. |
| Ignoring recall | Practice recall consistently. Use long lines in open areas. |
| Jumping on people | Ask strangers not to pet if overly exuberant. Reward calm behavior. |
| Nipping during play | Redirect to proper chew toys. Freeze and ignore when mouthy. |
| Anxiety or whining | Provide activities to prevent boredom. Crate train to prevent separation anxiety. |
| Weight gain | Stick to daily walks and activities. Adjust diet if needed. |
With time, training, and consistency, you can curb negative exercise behaviors in your Briard. Be patient - they aim to please and will respond to positive reinforcement training methods.
Enrich Your Briard's Daily Life
In addition to scheduled exercise sessions, enrich your Briard's life at home:
- Provide variety of chew toys to use up pent-up energy
- Use food puzzles like Kongs to make them "work" for meals
- Hide treats for them to seek out around the house and yard
- Take your Briard along on errands whenever possible
- Teach new commands and tricks on a regular basis
- Groom frequently to strengthen your bond
Meeting your Briard's needs for constant activity will reward you with a happy, well-adjusted canine companion. Their high drive and energetic nature is a full time commitment - but the payoff of life with a Briard is well worth the effort.