Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Briard Versus Bulldog: Introduction
- Briard versus Bulldog: Overview
- Briard versus Bulldog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Bulldog
- The Similarities Between the Briard and the Bulldog
- Size Comparison of Briard versus Bulldog
- Lifespan of Briard versus Bulldog
- Temperament of the Bulldog Versus the Briard
- Price of Briard versus Price of Bulldog
- The Intelligence of the Briard versus the Intelligence of the Bulldog
- Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Bulldog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Bulldog
- Do Briards shed more than Bulldogs?
- Which one drools more, the Briard or the Bulldog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Bulldog?
- Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bulldog?
- Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Bulldogs?
- Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Bulldog
- Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Bulldog?
- Are Briards good family dogs? What about Bulldogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Briards and Bulldogs?
- Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Bulldog?
- Conclusion: Briard versus Bulldog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Briard Versus Bulldog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Briard and the Bulldog? 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 Briard and the Bulldog 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 Briard and the Bulldog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the Bulldog 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 Briard and for the Bulldog. 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 Briard and the Bulldog.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Briard or the Bulldog.
Briard versus Bulldog: Overview
A very important difference between the Briard and the Bulldog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Bulldog is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, 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.
On the other hand, the Bulldog 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.
Briard versus Bulldog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Briard to the Bulldog 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 Briard and the Bulldog
| Factor | Briard | Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 8 to 12 years |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 70 to 100 pounds | 40 to 50 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 10.0 years |
| Average Price | $2500 | $4220 |
| Price Range | $2500 – $2500 | $3000 – $4500 |
| Temperament Score | 81.7 percent | 71.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 30 | 77 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Briard 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 Bulldog. 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 Briard is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Bulldog is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bulldog is a better pet than the Briard. So, you should get the Bulldog!
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 Briard and the Bulldog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Bulldog
Below is a list of where the Briard and the Bulldog are most different:
- Briards do not have the tendency to drool. However, Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.
- Briards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
- Briards are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Bulldogs are very friendly towards strangers.
- Briards can tolerate cold weather. However, Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
- Briards get along well with other dogs. However, Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.
- Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
The Similarities Between the Briard and the Bulldog
The Briard and the Bulldog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Briard and the Bulldog are most similar:
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog 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 Briard and the Bulldog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog are very easy to train.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog are very playful.
- Both the Briard and the Bulldog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Size Comparison of Briard versus Bulldog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Briard and the Bulldog.
Briards weigh 70 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Briards are 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Bulldogs weigh 40 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Bulldogs are 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Briard versus Bulldog
The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Bulldogs is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Bulldogs is 10.0 years.
Briards live longer than Bulldogs.
Temperament of the Bulldog Versus the Briard
The Briard has a better temperament than the Bulldog.
This is because the temperament score for the Briard is 81.7 percent while the temperament score for the Bulldog is 71.6 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 81.7 percent, the Briard has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 71.6 percent, the Bulldog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Briard and the Bulldog by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 141 Bulldogs.
Price of Briard versus Price of Bulldog
The average price of the Briard puppy is $2500. The price of the Briard typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Briard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Bulldog puppy is $4220. The price of the Bulldog typically ranges from $3000 – $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 595 Bulldog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Bulldog is more expensive than the Briard.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Briard and Bulldog. For different price points, the charts show how many Briard puppies or how many Bulldog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Briards. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Bulldogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Briard puppy or the Bulldog 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Briard versus the Intelligence of the Bulldog
`| Briard | Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 30 out of 130 dog breeds | 77 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:- Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
- Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
- Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the Briard has an obedience intelligence rank of 30 out of 130 dog breeds. The Briard belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Briards tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Bulldog has an obedience intelligence rank of 77 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bulldog belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bulldogs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Briard is more intelligent than the Bulldog.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Bulldog
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 Briard and the Bulldog 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 Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Briard.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bulldog than for the Briard.
5 health tests are recommended for Briard while 10 tests are recommended for the Bulldog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Briards and in Bulldogs.
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.
Bulldog Health Problems
Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bulldog 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 Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bulldog 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 Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bulldogs here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Bulldog
Briards can be left alone only for a short time.
Bulldogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Briards shed more than Bulldogs?
Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Bulldogs shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Briard or the Bulldog
Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.
Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Bulldog?
Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bulldog?
Briards have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Bulldogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Bulldogs?
Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Bulldogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Bulldog
Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Briards can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Bulldog?
Briards get along very well with other dogs.
Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Briards good family dogs? What about Bulldogs?
Briards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Briards and Bulldogs?
Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Bulldog?
Briards are very easy to train.
Bulldogs are fairly easy to train.
Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Bulldog?
Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Briard or the Bulldog?
Briards are OK for new dog owners.
Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Briard versus Bulldog. 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 Briard and the Bulldog better suits you and your family.