Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Briard Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction
- Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview
- Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli
- The Similarities Between the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli
- Size (Weight and Height) of Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli
- Lifespan of Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli
- Temperament of the Xoloitzcuintli Versus the Briard
- Price of Briard versus Price of Xoloitzcuintli
- The Popularity of Briard versus Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli
- Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Xoloitzcuintli
- Tolerates Being Alone: Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli
- Do Briards shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?
- Which one drools more, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli?
- Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Xoloitzcuintli?
- Do Briards Bark and Howl? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?
- Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Xoloitzcuintli
- Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli?
- Are Briards good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?
- How Kid-friendly are Briards and Xoloitzcuintlis?
- Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Briard
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Xoloitzcuintli
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli. Which One is a Better Pet?
Briard Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli? 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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli.
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 Xoloitzcuintli.
Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview
A very important difference between the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Briard to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli
| Factor | Briard | Xoloitzcuintli |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 14 to 20 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 | 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 70 to 100 pounds | 10 to 50 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 17.0 years |
| Average Price | $2250 | $1890 |
| Price Range | $2125 – $2375 | $1000 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 81.7 percent | 87.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 133 | 138 |
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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Briard is a better pet than the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli
Below is a list of where the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli are most different:
The Similarities Between the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli
The Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli.
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, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli
The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is between 14 to 20 years. The average lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is 17.0 years.
Xoloitzcuintlis live longer than Briards.
Temperament of the Xoloitzcuintli Versus the Briard
The Xoloitzcuintli has a better temperament than the Briard.
This is because the temperament score for the Xoloitzcuintli is 87.5 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 87.5 percent, the Xoloitzcuintli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 8 Xoloitzcuintlis.
Price of Briard versus Price of Xoloitzcuintli
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 Xoloitzcuintli puppy is $1890. The price of the Xoloitzcuintli typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of the Xoloitzcuintli can be as low as $500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 33 Xoloitzcuintli puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Briard is more expensive than the Xoloitzcuintli.
| Briard | Xoloitzcuintli | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2250 | $1890 |
| Price Range | $2125 to $2375 | $1000 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Briard and Xoloitzcuintli. For different price points, the charts show how many Briard puppies or how many Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintlis
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Briard puppy or the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Popularity of Briard versus Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli
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 Xoloitzcuintli over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Briard is more popular with dog owners than the Xoloitzcuintli. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Briard is 133 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Xoloitzcuintli is 138 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Briard
Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli
| Year | Briard Popularity Rank | Xoloitzcuintli Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 127 | 139 |
| 2014 | 132 | 142 |
| 2015 | 130 | 135 |
| 2016 | 132 | 139 |
| 2017 | 127 | 143 |
| 2018 | 132 | 140 |
| 2019 | 135 | 137 |
| 2020 | 150 | 131 |
Health Problems of Briard versus Health Problems of Xoloitzcuintli
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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Briard than for the Xoloitzcuintli.
5 health tests are recommended for Briard while 4 tests are recommended for the Xoloitzcuintli.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Briards and in Xoloitzcuintlis.
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.
Xoloitzcuintli Health Problems
Xoloitzcuintlis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintlis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Xoloitzcuintlis here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Briards and Xoloitzcuintlis
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 Xoloitzcuintli Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Xoloitzcuintli ranks 55 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Xoloitzcuintlis, 1 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Xoloitzcuintlis, and how common these diseases are in Xoloitzcuintlis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Briard and in Xoloitzcuintli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Briard and the Xoloitzcuintli:
| Disease | Briard Rank | Xoloitzcuintli Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 84 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 130 out of 182 dog breeds | 55 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 134 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
*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 Xoloitzcuintli
Briards can be left alone only for a short time.
Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.
Do Briards shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?
Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Xoloitzcuintlis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli
Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.
Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli?
Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.
Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Xoloitzcuintli?
Briards have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintlis?
Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Xoloitzcuintlis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Xoloitzcuintli
Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Xoloitzcuintlis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Briards can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Xoloitzcuintlis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli?
Briards get along very well with other dogs.
Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Briards good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?
Briards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Xoloitzcuintlis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Briards and Xoloitzcuintlis?
Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Xoloitzcuintlis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?
Briards are very easy to train.
Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.
Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Xoloitzcuintli?
Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Briard or the Xoloitzcuintli?
Briards are OK for new dog owners.
Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs 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 Xoloitzcuintli
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Briard and how the Xoloitzcuintli compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Briard and of the Xoloitzcuintli to other breeds:
Briard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Briard versus Sloughi Briard versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Briard versus Carolina Dog Briard versus Black Mouth Cur Briard versus Cesky Terrier Briard versus Pyrenean Shepherd Briard versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Briard versus German Shepherd Dog Briard versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Briard versus Australian Cattle Dog Briard versus Great Dane Briard versus Bull Terrier Briard versus Berger Picard Briard versus Kishu Ken Briard versus Japanese Chin Briard versus Norfolk Terrier Briard versus Pomchi Briard versus Alaskan Malamute Briard versus Redbone Coonhound Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli Briard versus Saint Bernard Briard versus Lowchen Briard versus Portuguese Pointer Briard versus Finnish Lapphund Briard versus Kerry Blue Terrier
Xoloitzcuintli Versus Other Dog Breeds
Xoloitzcuintli versus Cockalier Xoloitzcuintli versus Akita Chow Xoloitzcuintli versus Akita Chow Xoloitzcuintli versus Japanese Chin Xoloitzcuintli versus Bracco Italiano Xoloitzcuintli versus Fila Brasileiro Xoloitzcuintli versus Italian Greyhound Xoloitzcuintli versus Redbone Coonhound Xoloitzcuintli versus Berger Picard Xoloitzcuintli versus Saint Berdoodle Xoloitzcuintli versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Xoloitzcuintli versus Toy Poodle Xoloitzcuintli versus Bracco Italiano Xoloitzcuintli versus Bearded Collie Xoloitzcuintli versus American Bulldog Xoloitzcuintli versus Irish Wolfhound Xoloitzcuintli versus Black Russian Terrier Xoloitzcuintli versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Xoloitzcuintli versus Bolognese Xoloitzcuintli versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Xoloitzcuintli versus Finnish Lapphund Xoloitzcuintli versus German Shepherd Dog Xoloitzcuintli versus Shihpoo Xoloitzcuintli versus Finnish Spitz Xoloitzcuintli versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Briard versus Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli better suits you and your family.