Is the Brittany Better than the Hovawart as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Brittany Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Brittany and the Hovawart 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 Brittany and for the Hovawart. 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 Brittany and the Hovawart.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Brittany or the Hovawart.

Brittany versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Brittany and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Brittany is a medium-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Brittany 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.

On the other hand, the Hovawart 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.

Brittany versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Brittany to the Hovawart 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 Brittany and the Hovawart

Factor Brittany Hovawart
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s 23 to 29 inches
Life Span 10 to 13 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 30 to 40 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1080 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1200 No Data
Temperament Score 91.0 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination each year from 2-8 years of age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Brittany 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 Hovawart. 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 Brittany is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Hovawart is a better pet than the Brittany. So, you should get the Hovawart!

    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 Brittany and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Brittany and the Hovawart

    Below is a list of where the Brittany and the Hovawart are most different:

    • Brittanys get along well with other dogs. However, Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Brittanys have a very high tendency to drool. However, Hovawarts do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Brittanys have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    The Similarities Between the Brittany and the Hovawart

    The Brittany and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Brittany and the Hovawart are most similar:

    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Brittany and the Hovawart are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Brittany versus Hovawart

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Brittany and the Hovawart.

    Brittanys weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Brittanys are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Brittany versus Hovawart

    The lifespan of Brittanys is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Brittanys is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Hovawarts live longer than Brittanys.

    Temperament of the Brittany Versus the Hovawart

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Brittany.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Brittany is 91.0 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 91.0 percent, the Brittany has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Brittany and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 122 Brittanys and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Brittany versus Hovawart

    Brittanys do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Brittanys shed more than Hovawarts?

    Brittanys shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Brittany or the Hovawart

    Brittanys have a very high tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Brittany or the Hovawart?

    Brittanys are moderately easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Brittany Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    Brittanys 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.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Brittanys Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    Brittanys bark and howl, but not very much.

    Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Brittanys Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Brittanys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Brittany vs. Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Brittanys Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Brittany or the Hovawart?

    Brittanys get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Brittanys good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Brittanys and Hovawarts?

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

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

    Is the Brittany Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Brittanys are fairly easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Brittany Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Brittanys do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Brittany or the Hovawart?

    Brittanys are OK for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Brittany versus Hovawart. 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 Brittany and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.