How much exercise does a Briard need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities a Briard enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
Adults need around 60 to 90 minutes of activity daily, ideally including some off-lead time in a secure area and a mental challenge. Briards enjoy long hikes, herding lessons, obedience, rally, tracking and agility, and they are surprisingly nimble for their size. They much prefer activity shared with their person to being turned out alone in the garden.
An under-exercised Briard becomes restless, barks more and may start herding the family by bumping legs or nipping at heels. Overdoing it in hot weather is the opposite danger with that coat, so move exercise to cooler hours and provide shade and water. After meals, rest is the rule.
Briard exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
90 to 120 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
large
25 to 45 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold