A Detailed Comparison of the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer.

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Briard Versus German Longhaired Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer.

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 German Longhaired Pointer.

Briard versus German Longhaired Pointer: Overview

Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are similar in size. The Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are both large-sized dogs.

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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Briard to the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer

Factor Briard German Longhaired Pointer
Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 14 years
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Weight 70 to 100 pounds 60 to 71 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2500 No Data
Price Range $2500 – $2500 No Data
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 German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are most different:

    • Briards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer

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

    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are very easy to train.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer are very playful.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Size Comparison of Briard versus German Longhaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Briard and the German Longhaired Pointer.

    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, German Longhaired Pointers weigh 60 to 71 pounds when fully grown. German Longhaired Pointers are 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Briard versus German Longhaired Pointer

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

    The lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is 12.5 years.

    German Longhaired Pointers live longer than Briards.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus German Longhaired Pointer

    Briards can be left alone only for a short time.

    German Longhaired Pointers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Briards shed more than German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Briard or the German Longhaired Pointer

    Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the German Longhaired Pointer?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Longhaired Pointer?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. German Longhaired Pointer

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

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

    Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Briards get along very well with other dogs.

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Briards good family dogs? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Briards and German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Briard Easier to Train than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Briards are very easy to train.

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Briard or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Briards are OK for new dog owners.

    German Longhaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Briard versus German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer better suits you and your family.