Schipperke vs Briard - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Schipperke vs Briard - Breed ComparisonSchipperke is originated from Belgium but Briard is originated from France. Schipperke may grow 36 cm / 14 inches shorter than Briard. Schipperke may weigh 31 kg / 68 pounds lesser than Briard. Schipperke may live 3 years more than Briard. Schipperke may have less litter size than Briard. Schipperke requires Low maintenance. But Briard requires High maintenance

History

schipperke - historyThe Schipperke is a small dog which hails from Belguim and where he is known as a Spitz.

There are however different theories regarding the Schipperke’s origin. It was however during the late 1800s, that Belgian Schipperke fanciers set a standard for the breed.

It was in 1888 that the first Schipperke was imported to the United States and a specialty club for the breed founded in 1905.

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:
Companion dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Belgium
France
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
58 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 7
8 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Spitzke
Berger de Brie Berger Briard
Colors Available:
Solid colors - chocolate to apricot to black.
Uniform black, fawn, grey or blue.
Coat:
Shortish and thick
Double, wavy, long, fine
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

schipperke puppy - descriptionThis little Belgian dog stands at between 25 and 33cm in height and weighs between 3 and 9kg.

The double coat of the dog is fairly short, but thick and it comes in a range of colors, but always solid, from chocolate to apricot to black.

A typical characteristic of his is the longer-haired ruff around his neck. He also has this longer hair around the hind legs. He has sharp, erect ears and the tail is a natural bobtail or long. Most people choose to have the tail docked.

Temperament:

These little dogs are no pushover. He is stubborn, strong-willed and confident. They are lively, intelligent, curious and energetic and will require plenty of exercise.

Small though he is, he will certainly need training and socialization, otherwise he just goes his own way. Training him will ensure he is obedient and not so strong-willed. They get on well with children, but they tend to be aggressive with other dogs that they haven’t grown up with.

Bring him up the right way and he makes a splendid pet.

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

schipperke dog - characteristicsWith his bright little face, the Schipperke dog is a surprising dog, being fearless, confident, protective and devoted – everything people looking for in an excellent pet want.

His small size makes him able to slot into life in the city or the countryside. He is also looked upon as low maintenance. Add to this the fact that he is intelligent too. He is a feisty dog, and that’s why we say he is surprising because while he can be your sweet companion dog, he can turn into a robust, feisty, daring little panther. He’s got everything going for him to make you a splendid pet.

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

schipperke puppies - health problemsThe Schipperke has no real health problems that he specifically gets, and he can live to be 13 years or older.

Over-feeding, bad food choices and lack of exercise are going to shorten the lifespan of this dog. Some dog illnesses to be aware of with the Schipperke is cancer, bloat, epilepsy, dental problems and luxating patella.

Luxating Patella:

This is a condition where the knee cap of the dog moves out of its natural position. The patella moving out of the normal groove of the thigh bone can be because of genetic or traumatic reasons.

The symptoms of luxating patella include limping, skipping along as well as an abnormal sitting posture. Arthritis can also set in. Strangely, many small dogs live all their lives with luxating patella and they live like that free of pain. However for many other dogs it can mean pain and it can require surgery.

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

Diet:

schipperke dogs - caringDry kibble is always a good choice for dogs as its helps to keep the dog’s teeth clean. You want to make sure you buy one of the best quality foods, full of minerals and vitamins as opposed to fillers, colorants and preservatives. The food you give your Schipperke can have a huge impact on his health.

Your puppy will require 4 meals a day but later this becomes 2 bowls of food. To add some variety to your pet’s diet, feed him some home made food occasionally which can be added to his dry kibble twice a week.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your Schipperke.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General care:

Ensure regular vet checks for your dog, particularly when he is showing signs of being sick.

Check your pet for ticks and fleas. Parasites can be very bad for your pet’s health. Your dog will need all his vaccines to stave off deadly canine illnesses.

Brush your Schipperke twice a week to make sure you get rid of loose hairs. A Schipperke doesn’t shed a lot.

Keep his nails trimmed. If you are unsure on how to do this, professional groomers can do this for you.

Ears and eyes should also be checked.

He’s an energetic little dog so make sure that he gets lot of excellent forms of exercise from walking to hikes to ball games, frisbee – you name it, you won’t tire him out easily.

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. Old English Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  2. Briard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Briard vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Briard vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  5. Briard vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  6. Rough Collie vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  7. East German Shepherd vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  8. Saarlooswolfhond vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  9. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  10. Huntaway vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  11. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  12. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  13. South Russian Ovcharka vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  14. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  16. Labradoodle vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  17. Mixed vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  18. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  19. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  20. Great Pyrenees vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  21. Presa Canario vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  22. Labrador Husky vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  23. Perro de Presa Canario vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  24. Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  25. Schipperke vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  26. Schipperke vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  27. Schipperke vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  28. Schipperke vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  29. Schipperke vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  30. Schipperke vs Malti-Pom - Breed Comparison
  31. Schipperke vs PekePoo - Breed Comparison
  32. Schipperke vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  33. Schipperke vs Lhasapoo - Breed Comparison
  34. Schipperke vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  35. Schipperke vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Schipperke vs Prazsky Krysarik - Breed Comparison
  37. Schipperke vs Pugalier - Breed Comparison
  38. Schipperke vs Kyi-Leo - Breed Comparison
  39. Schipperke vs Muggin - Breed Comparison
  40. Schweenie vs Schipperke - Breed Comparison
  41. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Schipperke - Breed Comparison
  42. Scottish Terrier vs Schipperke - Breed Comparison
  43. Schipperke vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  44. Schipperke vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  45. Schipperke vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  46. Schipperke vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Schipperke vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  48. Schipperke vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  49. Schipperke vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds