The coat of a Briard requires thorough and regular grooming, not forgetting the mustache, beard and eyebrows. The hair is about 3 inches (8 cm) long, slightly wavy and very dry, with a fine, dense undercoat. It is a picture to behold when given regular attention, but can look very bedraggled when neglected and left to mat and felt.

Coat Maintenance: Maintenance is fairly high as the coat will lose hairs into itself and these will need to be removed regularly in order to prevent matting.

Grooming Procedure

Equipment needed: A slicker brush, a wide-toothed comb, and a dematter, if necessary.

Breed tip: This is another breed that pet owners ask the groomer to clip no less than 2 inches (5 cm) all over. Use a No. 7 Oster, or scissor to the required length. Anything shorter and you will lose the correct overall breed shape.

• It is far easier to brush the entire coat through if you first apply a coat conditioner. Use a dematter or untangle product on matted areas. Where matting is bad, allow the untangle conditioner to soak in for several
  minutes before commencing grooming.
• Use a slicker brush and comb to work through the coat. All mats should be teased out by hand — using a pin brush will remove the undercoat. The Briard should be completely tangle-free before you attempt to bathe it.
• Bathe the dog in a protein shampoo and add body conditioner to enhance the coat.
• Dry the coat, using a power dryer to remove excess moisture from the coat, and then finish with the blower, while continuously brushing with a pin brush.
• Check the dog’s nails, ears and teeth. Don’t forget also to check the dog’s dewclaws (double at the back — and part of the breed standard).
• Check between the toes and remove any clogged hair.
• Trim off hair around the anus in pet dogs.