Breed Comparison: Briard Versus Cocker Spaniel

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Briard Versus Cocker Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel? 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel. 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 Cocker Spaniel.

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 Cocker Spaniel.

Briard versus Cocker Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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.

Briard versus Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Briard to the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel

FactorBriardCocker Spaniel
Does NOT Shed5/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/51/5
Life Span10 to 12 years12 to 15 years
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Height22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/55/5
Good For Novice Owners3/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
Weight70 to 100 pounds24 to 28 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$2500$1760
Price Range$2500 – $2500$1200 – $2000
Temperament Score81.7 percent82.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • 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
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)3020

    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 Cocker Spaniel. 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 Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125.

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

    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 Cocker Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel

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

    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel are very playful.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Size Comparison of Briard versus Cocker Spaniel

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

    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, Cocker Spaniels weigh 24 to 28 pounds when fully grown. Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Briard versus Cocker Spaniel

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

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

    Cocker Spaniels live longer than Briards.

    Temperament of the Briard Versus the Cocker Spaniel

    The Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Briard.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 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 81.7 percent, the Briard has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.0 percent, the Cocker Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Briard and the Cocker Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 233 Cocker Spaniels.

    Price of Briard versus Price of Cocker Spaniel

    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 Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1760. The price of the Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Briard is more expensive than the Cocker Spaniel.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Briard and Cocker Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Briard puppies or how many Cocker Spaniel 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 Briards. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Briard puppy or the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel

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    Briard Cocker Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 30 out of 130 dog breeds 20 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    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 Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 20 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Cocker Spaniel is more intelligent than the Briard.

    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 Cocker Spaniel

    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 Cocker Spaniel 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 more genetic health problems than the Cocker Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Briard than for the Cocker Spaniel.

    5 health tests are recommended for Briard while 2 tests are recommended for the Cocker Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Briards and in Cocker Spaniels.

    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.

    Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

    Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniels for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker Spaniels here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Cocker Spaniel

    Briards can be left alone only for a short time.

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Briards shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Briard or the Cocker Spaniel

    Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Cocker Spaniel?

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

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

    Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cocker Spaniel?

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

    Cocker Spaniels 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.

    Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Cocker Spaniel

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

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

    Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Briards get along very well with other dogs.

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Briards good family dogs? What about Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Briards and Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Briards are very easy to train.

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Briards are OK for new dog owners.

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Briard versus Cocker Spaniel. 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 Cocker Spaniel better suits you and your family.