Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Briard Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Briard versus Whippet: Overview
- Briard versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Briard and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Briard versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Briard versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Briard Versus the Whippet
- Price of Briard versus Price of Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Briard versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Briard versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Whippet
- Do Briards shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Briard or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Whippet?
- Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Whippet
- Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Whippet?
- Are Briards good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Briards and Whippets?
- Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Briard
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Briard versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Briard Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Briard and the Whippet? 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 Whippet 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 Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the Whippet 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 Whippet. 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 Whippet.
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 Whippet.
Briard versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Briard and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Whippet 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 Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Briard versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Briard to the Whippet 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 Whippet
| Factor | Briard | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 70 to 100 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2250 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2125 – $2375 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 81.7 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 133 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 30 | 51 |
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 Whippet. 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 Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Whippet is a better pet than the Briard. So, you should get the Whippet!
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 Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Briard and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Briard and the Whippet
The Briard and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Briard and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Briard versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Briard and the Whippet.
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, Whippets weigh 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. Whippets are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Briard versus Whippet
The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than Briards.
Temperament of the Briard Versus the Whippet
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Briard.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Briard and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 203 Whippets.
Price of Briard versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Briard puppy is $2250. The price of the Briard typically ranges from $2125 – $2375. However, the price of a Briard can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2 Briard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Whippet puppy is $2120. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $1600 – $2600. However, the price of the Whippet can be as low as $400 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 121 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Briard is more expensive than the Whippet.
| Briard | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2250 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2125 to $2375 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Briard and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Briard puppies or how many Whippet 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 Whippets
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Briard puppy or the Whippet 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 Whippet
| Briard | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 30 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Whippet has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Whippet belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Whippets tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Briard is more intelligent than the Whippet.
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 Whippet
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 Whippet over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Whippet is more popular with dog owners than the Briard. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 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 Whippet
| Year | Briard Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 127 | 59 |
| 2014 | 132 | 56 |
| 2015 | 130 | 57 |
| 2016 | 132 | 60 |
| 2017 | 127 | 61 |
| 2018 | 132 | 61 |
| 2019 | 135 | 57 |
| 2020 | 150 | 59 |
Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Whippet
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 Whippet 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 Whippet is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Briard.
5 health tests are recommended for Briard while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Briards and in Whippets.
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.
Whippet Health Problems
Whippets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Whippet 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 Whippet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Whippet 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 Whippets for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Whippets here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Briards and Whippets
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 Whippet Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Whippet ranks 3 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1416 Whippets, 107 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Whippets, and how common these diseases are in Whippets relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Briard and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Briard and the Whippet:
| Disease | Briard Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 84 out of 198 dog breeds | 191 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 130 out of 182 dog breeds | 162 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 134 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 3 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 17 out of 21 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 108 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 Whippet
Briards can be left alone only for a short time.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Briards shed more than Whippets?
Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Briard or the Whippet
Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Whippet?
Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Briards have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Whippets 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 Whippets?
Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Whippet
Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Briards can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Whippet?
Briards get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Briards good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Briards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Briards and Whippets?
Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Briards are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Briard or the Whippet?
Briards are OK for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK 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 Whippet
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Whippet 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 Whippet:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Briard and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Briard and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Briard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Briard versus Komondor Briard versus Boxerdoodle Briard versus Tibetan Mastiff Briard versus Kooikerhondje Briard versus Bichon Frise Briard versus Boykin Spaniel Briard versus Mastiff Briard versus Bich Poo Briard versus Shihpoo Briard versus American Water Spaniel Briard versus Belgian Tervuren Briard versus Golden Retriever Briard versus Afador Briard versus English Toy Spaniel Briard versus Pointer Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier Briard versus Sussex Spaniel Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier Briard versus West Highland White Terrier Briard versus Estrela Mountain Dog Briard versus German Shorthaired Pointer Briard versus Aussiedoodle Briard versus Morkie Briard versus Brussels Griffon Briard versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Australian Cattle Dog Whippet versus Spanish Mastiff Whippet versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Whippet versus Scottish Terrier Whippet versus Tibetan Spaniel Whippet versus Bull Terrier Whippet versus Papillon Whippet versus French Spaniel Whippet versus Lagotto Romagnolo Whippet versus Flat-Coated Retriever Whippet versus Neapolitan Mastiff Whippet versus Spanish Mastiff Whippet versus Afghan Hound Whippet versus Pyrenean Mastiff Whippet versus English Toy Spaniel Whippet versus Barbet Whippet versus Welsh Terrier Whippet versus Leonberger Whippet versus American Hairless Terrier Whippet versus Cesky Terrier Whippet versus Azawakh Whippet versus Chinese Shar-Pei Whippet versus Miniature Poodle Whippet versus Norwegian Buhund Whippet versus Scottish Terrier
Conclusion: Briard versus Whippet. 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 Whippet better suits you and your family.