Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Azawakh and the Briard.

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Azawakh Versus Briard: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Azawakh and the Briard? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Briard.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Azawakh 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 Azawakh 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Azawakh 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 Azawakh or the Briard.

Azawakh versus Briard: Overview

Both the Azawakh and the Briard are similar in size. The Azawakh and the Briard are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Azawakh belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Azawakh versus Briard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Azawakh 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Azawakh and the Briard

Factor Azawakh Briard
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 70 to 100 pounds
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $2500 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2500
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 81.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • 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
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Azawakh 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 the Azawakh is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Briard is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Azawakh and the Briard so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Azawakh and the Briard

    Below is a list of where the Azawakh and the Briard are most different:

    • Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Briards can tolerate cold weather.
    • Azawakhs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Azawakhs are very easy to groom. However, Briards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Azawakh and the Briard

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

    • Both the Azawakh and the Briard do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Briard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Briard are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Briard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Briard have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Briard require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Azawakh versus Briard

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Azawakh and the Briard.

    Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 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.

    Lifespan of Azawakh versus Briard

    The lifespan of Azawakhs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Azawakhs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.

    Azawakhs live longer than Briards.

    Temperament of the Briard Versus the Azawakh

    The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Briard.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Briard is 81.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Azawakh has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 81.7 percent, the Briard has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Azawakh and the Briard by measuring the temperaments of 1 Azawakhs and 382 Briards.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Azawakh versus Briard

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Briards can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Azawakhs shed more than Briards?

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Azawakh or the Briard

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Azawakh or the Briard?

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Azawakh Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Briard?

    Azawakhs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

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

    Do Azawakhs Bark and Howl? What about Briards?

    Azawakhs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Azawakh vs. Briard

    Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Briards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Azawakhs good family dogs? What about Briards?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs and Briards?

    Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Azawakh Easier to Train than the Briard?

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Briards are very easy to train.

    Is the Azawakh Better for Apartment Owners than the Briard?

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Briards are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Briard better suits you and your family.