Briard vs Old English Sheepdog
Compare the Briard to the Old English Sheepdog. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Briards and Old English Sheepdogs.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Both breeds are good choices for new or inexperienced owners, but the Old English Sheepdog is better suited for new owners.
- Children - Both the Briard and Old English Sheepdog are great with children.
- Grooming - Both breeds have high grooming requirements, but the Briard is slightly easier to groom between the two.
- Barking - The Briard bark/howls frequently. The Old English Sheepdog has a low tendency to bark.
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| Breed Name | Briard | Old English Sheepdog |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-11 yrs. |
| Height | 23-27 in. | 20-24 in. |
| Weight | 50-90 lb | 60-100 lb |
| Intelligence | High | High |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | France | UK (England) |
| Origin Year | 1200 AD | 1800 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 | 20°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | Medium-High | Medium |
| Exercise Required | High | High |
| Top Running Speed | 19 mph | 22 mph |
| Strength | High | Very High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | High-Very High | High |
| Shedding | Medium-High | High |
| Dander | Medium | Medium |
| Drool Amount | Low | Medium |
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 | Old English Sheepdog |
| 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 | Below Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Below Average | Below Average |
| Chasing | Average | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | High | Average |
| Fighting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | High | Below Average |
| Herding | High | High |
| Hunting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Protection | High | Below Average |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | Below Average |
| Sledding | Below Average | Average |
| Watch | High | High |
| Breed Name | Briard | Old English Sheepdog |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-11 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Allergies | No | Yes |
| Cataracts | No | Yes |
| Deafness | No | Yes |
| Diabetes | No | Yes |
| Entropion | No | Yes |
| Heat Intolerance | No | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Briard | Old English Sheepdog |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Rough | Yes | No |
| Straight | No | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Medium | Yes | Yes |
| Long | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Black | Yes | No |
| Gray | Yes | Yes |
| Tawny | Yes | No |
| Black & White | No | Yes |
| Blue | No | Yes |
| Blue & White | No | Yes |
| Blue Merle & White | No | Yes |
| Blue, Gray, & White | No | Yes |
| Brown | No | Yes |
| Fawn | No | Yes |
| Gray & White | No | Yes |
| Grizzle | No | Yes |
| Grizzle & White | No | Yes |