Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Briard Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
- Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
- Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Lifespan of Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the Briard
- The Intelligence of the Briard versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Popularity of Briard versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Do Briards shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Are Briards good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Briards and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Briard
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Briard Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Briard and the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Briard to the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Factor | Briard | Welsh Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 70 to 100 pounds | 35 to 55 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $2250 | No Data |
| Price Range | $2125 – $2375 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 81.7 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 133 | 128 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 30 | 31 |
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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is not better or worse than the Briard. So, you can get the Welsh Springer Spaniel or 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Briard and the Welsh Springer 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, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Welsh Springer Spaniels live longer than Briards.
Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the Briard
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a better temperament than the Briard.
This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 81.7 percent, the Briard has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 6 Welsh Springer Spaniels.
The Intelligence of the Briard versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Briard | Welsh Springer Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 30 out of 130 dog breeds | 31 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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:
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 31 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Springer Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Briard is more intelligent than the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
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.
The Popularity of Briard versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Briard. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Briard is 133 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Briard
Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Year | Briard Popularity Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 127 | 124 |
| 2014 | 132 | 133 |
| 2015 | 130 | 128 |
| 2016 | 132 | 123 |
| 2017 | 127 | 133 |
| 2018 | 132 | 128 |
| 2019 | 135 | 130 |
| 2020 | 150 | 128 |
Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Briard than for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
5 health tests are recommended for Briard while 4 tests are recommended for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Briards and in Welsh Springer 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Briards here.
Welsh Springer Spaniel Health Problems
Welsh Springer Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Welsh Springer Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Briards and Welsh Springer Spaniels
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Briard Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Briard ranks 84 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2881 Briards, 406 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Briards, and how common these diseases are in Briards relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Welsh Springer Spaniel ranks 12 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1309 Welsh Springer Spaniels, 125 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Welsh Springer Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Welsh Springer Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Briard and in Welsh Springer Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Briard and the Welsh Springer Spaniel:
| Disease | Briard Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 84 out of 198 dog breeds | 111 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 130 out of 182 dog breeds | 81 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 134 out of 144 dog breeds | 118 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 12 out of 115 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Briards can be left alone only for a short time.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Briards shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Briards have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Briards can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Briards get along very well with other dogs.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Briards good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Briards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Briards and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Briards are very easy to train.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Briard or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Briards are OK for new dog owners.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Briard
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Briard that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Briard:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Welsh Springer Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Briard and how the Welsh Springer Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Briard and of the Welsh Springer Spaniel to other breeds:
Briard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Briard versus Norfolk Terrier Briard versus Carolina Dog Briard versus Lancashire Heeler Briard versus Black and Tan Coonhound Briard versus Swedish Vallhund Briard versus Pomapoo Briard versus Clumber Spaniel Briard versus Norwich Terrier Briard versus Cockapoo Briard versus Barbet Briard versus Harrier Briard versus Canaan Dog Briard versus Schipperke Briard versus Siberian Husky Briard versus Norfolk Terrier Briard versus Standard Schnauzer Briard versus Lhasa Apso Briard versus Fila Brasileiro Briard versus Pharaoh Hound Briard versus Lhasapoo Briard versus King Shepherd Briard versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Briard versus Italian Greyhound Briard versus Manchester Terrier Briard versus Barbet
Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Affenpinscher Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Kishu Ken Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Welsh Springer Spaniel versus German Pinscher Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Skye Terrier Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Tibetan Mastiff Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Greyhound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Shiranian Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Affenhuahua Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pekingese Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Cockalier Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Labradoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Shichon Welsh Springer Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Akita Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Puggle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Lhasapoo Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound
Conclusion: Briard versus Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.