Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Barbet Versus Briard: Introduction
- Barbet versus Briard: Overview
- Barbet versus Briard: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Barbet and the Briard
- Size Comparison of Barbet versus Briard
- Lifespan of Barbet versus Briard
- Temperament of the Briard Versus the Barbet
- Health Problems of Barbet versus Health Problems of Briard
- Tolerates Being Alone: Barbet versus Briard
- Do Barbets shed more than Briards?
- Which one drools more, the Barbet or the Briard
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Barbet or the Briard?
- Does the Barbet Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Briard?
- Do Barbets Bark and Howl? What about Briards?
- Can Barbets Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Barbet vs. Briard
- Can Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Barbet or the Briard?
- Are Barbets good family dogs? What about Briards?
- How Kid-friendly are Barbets and Briards?
- Is the Barbet Easier to Train than the Briard?
- Conclusion: Barbet versus Briard. Which One is a Better Pet?
Barbet Versus Briard: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Barbet 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 Barbet 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 Barbet and the Briard.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Barbet 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 Barbet 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 Barbet 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 Barbet or the Briard.
Barbet versus Briard: Overview
A very important difference between the Barbet and the Briard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Barbet is a medium-sized dog while the Briard is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Barbet belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Barbet versus Briard: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Barbet 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 Barbet and the Briard
| Factor | Barbet | Briard |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 13 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 37 to 62 pounds | 70 to 100 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 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 |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Barbet 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 Barbet is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Briard is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Barbet is a better pet than the Briard. So, you should get the Barbet!
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 Barbet and the Briard so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Barbet and the Briard
The Barbet and the Briard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Barbet and the Briard are most similar:
- Both the Barbet and the Briard do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are not prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard get along well with other dogs.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are very easy to train.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are highly intelligent.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are very playful.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Barbet and the Briard have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
Size Comparison of Barbet versus Briard
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Barbet and the Briard.
Barbets weigh 37 to 62 pounds when fully grown. Barbets are 20 to 25 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 Barbet versus Briard
The lifespan of Barbets is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Barbets is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.
Barbets live longer than Briards.
Temperament of the Briard Versus the Barbet
The Barbet has a better temperament than the Briard.
This is because the temperament score for the Barbet 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 Barbet 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 Barbet and the Briard by measuring the temperaments of 1 Barbets and 382 Briards.
Health Problems of Barbet versus Health Problems of Briard
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Barbet 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 Briard is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Barbet.
5 health tests are recommended for Barbet while 5 tests are recommended for the Briard.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Barbets and in Briards.
Barbet Health Problems
Barbets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Barbet 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 Barbet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Barbet 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 Barbets for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Barbets 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Briards here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Barbet versus Briard
Barbets do not like to be left alone.
Briards can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Barbets shed more than Briards?
Barbets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Barbet or the Briard
Barbets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Barbet or the Briard?
Barbets require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Barbet Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Briard?
Barbets 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.
Do Barbets Bark and Howl? What about Briards?
Barbets bark and howl, but not very much.
Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Barbets Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather?
Barbets can very well tolerate cold weather.
Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Barbet vs. Briard
Barbets 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.
Can Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather?
Barbets 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 Barbet or the Briard?
Barbets get along very well with other dogs.
Briards get along very well with other dogs.
Are Barbets good family dogs? What about Briards?
Barbets 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 Barbets and Briards?
Barbets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Barbet Easier to Train than the Briard?
Barbets are very easy to train.
Briards are very easy to train.
Is the Barbet Better for Apartment Owners than the Briard?
Barbets adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Barbet or the Briard?
Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Briards are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Barbet 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 Barbet and the Briard better suits you and your family.