Briard vs Giant Schnauzer
Compare the Briard to the Giant Schnauzer. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Briards and Giant Schnauzers.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - The Briard is a good choice for new owners, whereas the Giant Schnauzer is not recommended for new/inexperienced owners.
- Children - Both breeds are child friendly, but the Briard is the most friendly between the breeds.
- Grooming - The Giant Schnauzer requires moderate grooming, but the Briard has high grooming needs.
- Barking - Both the Briard and Giant Schnauzer are very vocal and will bark/howl frequently.
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| Breed Name | Briard | Giant Schnauzer |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | Yes |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Height | 23-27 in. | 24-28 in. |
| Weight | 50-90 lb | 55-110 lb |
| Intelligence | High | High |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | France | Germany |
| Origin Year | 1200 AD | 1600 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | Yes | No |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Medium Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Large Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 20°F to 80°F | 30°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | Medium-High | High |
| Exercise Required | High | High |
| Top Running Speed | 19 mph | 22 mph |
| Strength | High | Very High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | High-Very High | Medium |
| Shedding | Medium-High | Low |
| Dander | Medium | Low |
| Drool Amount | Low | Low |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Briard | Giant Schnauzer |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | Yes | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | No | No |
| Average | No | No |
| Focused & Patient | Yes | Yes |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | High |
| Burrow/Digging | Below Average | Below Average |
| Chasing | Average | Average |
| Follow Commands | High | High |
| Fighting | Below Average | Average |
| Guarding | High | High |
| Herding | High | High |
| Hunting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Protection | High | High |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | Below Average |
| Sledding | Below Average | Average |
| Watch | High | High |
| Breed Name | Briard | Giant Schnauzer |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Bloat | No | Yes |
| Cancer | No | Yes |
| Cataracts | No | Yes |
| Elbow Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Glaucoma | No | Yes |
| Heart Problems | No | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca | No | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | No | Yes |
| Retinal Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Briard | Giant Schnauzer |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | No |
| Hair | No | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | No |
| Single Coat | No | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Rough | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Medium | Yes | Yes |
| Long | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Black | Yes | Yes |
| Gray | Yes | No |
| Tawny | Yes | No |
| Black & Tan | No | Yes |
| Fawn | No | Yes |
| Salt & Pepper | No | Yes |