Which is Better Between the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro?

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Briard Versus Fila Brasileiro: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro.

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 Fila Brasileiro.

Briard versus Fila Brasileiro: Overview

A very important difference between the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Fila Brasileiro is a giant-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 Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Briard versus Fila Brasileiro: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Briard to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro

Factor Briard Fila Brasileiro
Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 12 years
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Weight 70 to 100 pounds 90 to 180 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 10.5 years
Average Price $2500 $1800
Price Range $2500 – $2500 $1800 – $1800
Temperament Score 81.7 percent 78.6 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
    		•  No Data

    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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Briard is a better pet than the Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro

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

    • Briards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.
    • Briards get along well with other dogs. However, Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    The Similarities Between the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro

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

    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Briard versus Fila Brasileiro

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

    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, Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Briard versus Fila Brasileiro

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

    The lifespan of Fila Brasileiros is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Fila Brasileiros is 10.5 years.

    Briards live longer than Fila Brasileiros.

    Temperament of the Briard Versus the Fila Brasileiro

    The Briard has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

    This is because the temperament score for the Briard is 81.7 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 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 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Briard and the Fila Brasileiro by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 14 Fila Brasileiros.

    Price of Briard versus Price of Fila Brasileiro

    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 Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1800. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1800 – $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Fila Brasileiro puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Briard is more expensive than the Fila Brasileiro.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Briard and Fila Brasileiro. For different price points, the charts show how many Briard puppies or how many Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiros

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Briard puppy or the Fila Brasileiro 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Fila Brasileiro

    Briards can be left alone only for a short time.

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Briards shed more than Fila Brasileiros?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Briard or the Fila Brasileiro

    Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Fila Brasileiro?

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

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Fila Brasileiro?

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

    Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiros?

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

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Fila Brasileiro

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

    Fila Brasileiros have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Briards get along very well with other dogs.

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Briards good family dogs? What about Fila Brasileiros?

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

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Briards and Fila Brasileiros?

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

    Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Fila Brasileiro?

    Briards are very easy to train.

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Fila Brasileiro?

    Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Briards are OK for new dog owners.

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Briard versus Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro better suits you and your family.