American Eskimo Dog or Briard? Which One to Get?

American Eskimo Dog versus Briard

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American Eskimo Dog Versus Briard: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Eskimo Dog and for the Briard. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Eskimo Dog or the Briard

American Eskimo Dog versus Briard: Overview

A very important difference between the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is a small-sized dog while the Briard is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Eskimo Dog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Briard belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

American Eskimo Dog versus Briard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog to the Briard based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor American Eskimo Dog Briard
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight Starts at 30 pounds 70 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1220 $2250
Price Range $750 – $1500 $2125 – $2375
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination at least once between six (6) months and eight (8) years
  • Hip Dysplasia (min age 24 months for all tests)
  • Stationary Night Blindness
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 133

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Eskimo Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Briard. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Briard is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Eskimo Dog is a better pet than the Briard. So, you should get the American Eskimo Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard

    Below is a list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are most different:

  • American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are most similar:

  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Briard

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard.

    American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Briards weigh 70 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Briards are 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of American Eskimo Dog versus Price of Briard

    The average price of the American Eskimo Dog puppy is $1220. The price of the American Eskimo Dog typically ranges from $750 – $1500. However, the price of a American Eskimo Dog can be as low as $225 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 211 American Eskimo Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Briard puppy is $2250. The price of the Briard typically ranges from $2125 – $2375. However, the price of a Briard can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Briard puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Briard is more expensive than the American Eskimo Dog.

    American Eskimo Dog Briard
    Average Price $1220 $2250
    Price Range $750 to $1500 $2125 to $2375

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Eskimo Dog and Briard. For different price points, the charts show how many American Eskimo Dog puppies or how many Briard puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Briards

    A breakdown of the prices of Briards

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Eskimo Dog puppy or the Briard puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Briard

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the American Eskimo Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Briard. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the American Eskimo Dog is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Briard is 133 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of Briard

    Popularity of Briard

    Year American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank Briard Popularity Rank
    2013 110 127
    2014 120 132
    2015 118 130
    2016 122 132
    2017 118 127
    2018 122 132
    2019 120 135
    2020 119 150

    Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Briard

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Eskimo Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Briard.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Eskimo Dog than for the Briard.

    8 health tests are recommended for American Eskimo Dog while 5 tests are recommended for the Briard.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Eskimo Dogs and in Briards.

    American Eskimo Dog Health Problems

    American Eskimo Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Eskimo Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Eskimo Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Eskimo Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Eskimo Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Eskimo Dogs here.

    Briard Health Problems

    Briards are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Briard puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Briard puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Briard breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Briards for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination at least once between six (6) months and eight (8) years
  • Hip Dysplasia (min age 24 months for all tests)
  • Stationary Night Blindness
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Briards here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in American Eskimo Dogs and Briards

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the American Eskimo Dog Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the American Eskimo Dog ranks 6 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 68 American Eskimo Dogs, 17 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Eskimo Dogs, and how common these diseases are in American Eskimo Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 6 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 9 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 48 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 122 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 123 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 136 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Briard Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Briard ranks 84 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2881 Briards, 406 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Briards, and how common these diseases are in Briards relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 84 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 130 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 134 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in American Eskimo Dog and in Briard and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard:

    Disease American Eskimo Dog Rank Briard Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 6 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 9 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 48 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 122 out of 198 dog breeds 84 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 123 out of 144 dog breeds 134 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 136 out of 182 dog breeds 130 out of 182 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Briard

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Briard

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Briards can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Briards can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Briard?

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Briard?

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Briards have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Briard

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Eskimo Dog or the Briard?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Briards are OK for new dog owners.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Briards?

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Briard?

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Briards?

    American Eskimo Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Briards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Eskimo Dogs and Briards?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Briard?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Briards get along very well with other dogs.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Briards?

    American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Briard?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Briards are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Briard that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Briard:

  • Pyredoodle (78 percent match with Briard). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Briard

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Eskimo Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Eskimo Dog:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Briard vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Keeshond (82 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Briard vs Keeshond.
  • West Highland White Terrier (81 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Briard vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Briard compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Briard to other breeds:

    American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Eskimo Dog versus Harrier     American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Spitz     American Eskimo Dog versus Frenchton     American Eskimo Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     American Eskimo Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     American Eskimo Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     American Eskimo Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     American Eskimo Dog versus Papipoo     American Eskimo Dog versus Puggle     American Eskimo Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     

    Briard Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Briard versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Briard versus English Setter     Briard versus Pointer     Briard versus Cavapoo     Briard versus Schnoodle     Briard versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Briard versus Finnish Spitz     Briard versus Australian Terrier     Briard versus Lowchen     Briard versus Flat-Coated Retriever     

    Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog versus Briard. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Eskimo Dog and the Briard better suits you and your family.