What is a small dog breed resembling a Briard?

Detroit Dog Groomer: Looking for information on a small dog resembling a Briard?
I'm a dog groomer. Today I groomed a dog that looked like a small Briard. This dog was not more than 15 lbs full grown and looked exactly like a Briard.
I was told by the lady that owns him that he is a real breed of dog and that she paid $ 1000 for him. I've never seen another one like him, but then again I've also never seen a Briard in real life either. Just not a popular breed of dog, I guess. She said it was a French Shepherd? But wouldn't that just make him an extremely small Briard?
Is there a real breed of dog that is small and looks exactly like a Briard? If so, what is it called?

Photo Credit: windygig/Flickr CC
I LOVED this dog and I want to know more!
He had extremely soft fur, like that of a pomeranian. Cottony sort of.

Answers and Views:

Answer by willow ♀ AKC Aussies born 10/24
Ive never even heard of a "French Shepherd" o.O It certainly isnt AKC. The Briad is French though, and Is AKC. So i don'tknow what she means by "real breed".
It would be better with a picture, but I would think it was a very small briard.

Answer by Julianne
It most likely is a french shepherd. Look uo french shepherd on google and see if they look similiar. I’m pretty sure thats what it is.

Answer by Pamela White (mrs chalky)
I too have a rescue dog from Spain and we had no idea what she was until someone told me about the Briard breed which she looks exactly like but a lot lot smaller! She is full of mischief and cheek and keep us on our toes at all times. One of her favourite pass times is sitting like a Meer cat watching the world go by! Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer by Cindy
I rescued a dog that looks like a mini-Briard! He is about 15 pounds at a year and a half, and he is a delight! I have had many “guesses” as to what he is, but no one seems to know for sure. We did have a Tibetan before, we loved her, and there were many similarities, but he is definitely not a TT.

Answer by Sabine
I know it is late and maybe you already found he answer. For all the others that still look around:
A Skye Terrier looks like a small Briard. (A Briard with shortened legs)
Unfortunately it does not come from France but from Scotland and it is not a herding breed, but it should keep away animals from the farms.
But the look is the same. As they are extremely rare (nearly endangered) they are very costly. In Germany they can even cost even over 1000 Euro and the weight will be around 8-11 kg.
There are different French breeds, but most of them are large, including the Briard. Many of them are called shepherd dog (berger pyrenees, berger beauceron, …) thats why it would not really specify the breed.

Answer by Pati
I have a puppy mill rescue that looks exactly like a mini Briard. She weighs 12 1/2 lbs and is now 2yrs old. Rescue said only her date of birth was on cage when they got her. Wish I could post a pic here for you, but I did at one point post a pic on "Norman the Briard's" FB page. My vet thinks she is a powder puff Chinese Crested mix possibly mixed with a Maltese. Her brother,( who was adopted out to a guy in Nebraska) is pure white with the black eye and lip liner of a maltese but has the upright fringed ears also. Your dog is probably a designer dog.

Answer by Julie
Tibetan terriers can look quite like small Briards. Lovely dogs
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!