Leonberger vs Briard - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Leonberger vs Briard - Breed ComparisonLeonberger is originated from Germany but Briard is originated from France. Leonberger may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Briard. Leonberger may weigh 37 kg / 82 pounds more than Briard. Both Leonberger and Briard has almost same life span. Leonberger may have more litter size than Briard. Leonberger requires Moderate maintenance. But Briard requires High maintenance

History

leonberger - historyHailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

briard - historyThrough myth and legend, the Briard is thought to be a very ancient dog. A French herding breed, a Briard type of dog appears in writings as early as the end of the 14th century. According to legends the Briard was owned by Napoleon, Charlemagne, Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. As a cross between the Barbet and the Beauceron, the Briard came into popularity following its appearance in a Paris dog show in 1863. Bred originally to guard and herd sheep, these intelligent, independent dogs were often left on their own. Because they both guarded and herded, their size and structure as well as their personalities were different from other dogs that worked sheep. Those that herded only were fast, agile and smaller. Those that only guarded were heavier, bigger and stronger. The Briard was in-between these two types of breeds. He was well suited to any kind of farm work and guarded the crops from the sheep’s desire to eat them. They moved the sheep from one grazing area to another and then to their holding area at night. No humans had to assist the Briard in this work once they were trained.

During World War 1, the Briards were drafted into service as messengers, sentries and search dogs for lost or injured soldiers. In that time frame the breed served almost to the point of extinction. Breeding programs following the war brought them back. Today the Briard is a home companion, a police dog, as well as both military and civilian search and rescue dogs.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Germany
France
Height Male:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
58 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 14
8 - 10
Size:
Giant dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
Berger de Brie Berger Briard
Colors Available:
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
Uniform black, fawn, grey or blue.
Coat:
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
Double, wavy, long, fine
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

leonberger puppy - descriptionAs a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

briard puppy - descriptionThe Briard is a powerful, intelligent and independent working dog. They have a straight topline and their height is almost the same as their length. They have long, large, rectangular heads with wide muzzles. Their noses are also square and jet black while their side set, large eyes can be black-brown or black. Their ears have traditionally been cropped but with more countries outlawing it, they can now have natural ears set high on the head. They have a tail that is feathered and low-cut. The feet of a Briard are round, compact and large.

The Briard is a double coated breed with a long beard and mustache. Their hair completely covers the head and the eyes so that they are not seen. They have prominent eyebrows as well.

Characteristics

leonberger dog - characteristicsDon’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

briard dog - characteristicsAs mentioned previously the Briard is intelligent and independent. They are also loyal, rugged, protective and bond intensely with their humans. They are often aloof when it comes to strangers or even when new furniture is introduced into the household. They have to learn that anything new into the family environment is friendly and good. They are great with children and susceptible to separation anxiety because of their deep affection for their people. Socialization for puppies is a must. This will let them know that people and children, other dogs in general are not harmful to their families. They have great memories and once they learn something – right or wrong – it is almost impossible to change it. They were bred to be independent thinkers who acted on their own conclusions. This is still true of the breed today, making them appear to be stubborn.

They are great watchdogs, fearless and brave; willing to learn, eager to make you happy. They are basically gentle but that always runs up against their protective nature. A strong alpha leader is needed to handle this hard-working dog.

Health Problems

leonberger puppies - health problemsLeonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

briard puppies - health problemsBeing a large breed, the Briard shares many of the same health concerns as other large breeds. They have a few of their own as well. Typical issues for a Briard might include:

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – bones don’t fit into joints.

Stationary Night Blindness – Congenital limited vision in the dark.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Degeneration –degeneration of the photoreceptors and retina.

Hypothyroidism – disorder of the thyroid.

Bloat (Gastric Torsion) – Stomach is distended and twists.

Cancer – Number 1 killer of all dogs.

Von Willebrand’s Disease – Blood clotting disorder.

Caring The Pet

leonberger dogs - caringThat long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

Feeding

briard dogs - caringIt is best to feed the Briard smaller meals 2-3 times a day to prevent bloat. Feed 3-4 cups total for the day of a dry dog food that is high quality and made for large breeds.

Health issues

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – Can cause painful arthritis and lameness

Stationary Night Blindness – Congenital limited vision in the dark can vary from slight difficulty moving to complete inability to see in the dark.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Degeneration – Can lead to night blindness, limited or total blindness. Puppies with the disease can be blind before their first birthday.

Hypothyroidism – disorder of the thyroid.

Bloat (Gastric Torsion) – Stomach is distended and twists. Fatal if not treated quickly. Caused by eating a large meal quickly and either exercise immediately or drink a large amount of water right after eating.

Cancer – Number 1 killer of all dogs. Various types.

Von Willebrand’s Disease – Blood clotting disorder leads to excessive bleeding. There is no cure, but it is manageable.

Exercise and games

The Briard is a working dog and as such needs a job. They excel at agility, flyball, herding, obedience, confirmation and tracking. They need exercise and make excellent service dogs for people with disabilities and therapy dogs for those in emotional need.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Newfoundland Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  2. Leonberger vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Leonberger vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Leonberger vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  5. Leonberger vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  6. Leonberger vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  7. Leonberger vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Leonberger vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  9. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  10. Moscow Watchdog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  11. Spanish Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  12. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  13. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  14. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  15. Leonberger vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  16. Leonberger vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. Leonberger vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  18. Leonberger vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  19. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Leonberger vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  21. Old English Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  22. Briard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Briard vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Briard vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  25. Briard vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  26. Rough Collie vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  27. East German Shepherd vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  28. Saarlooswolfhond vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  29. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  30. Huntaway vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  31. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  32. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  33. South Russian Ovcharka vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  34. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  35. Samoyed vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  36. Labradoodle vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  37. Mixed vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  38. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  39. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  40. Great Pyrenees vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  41. Presa Canario vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  42. Labrador Husky vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  43. Perro de Presa Canario vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  44. Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Briard - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds