Briard vs Bospin - Breed Comparison | PetzLover

The Bospin is a fairly new breed of dog and is the result of cross-breeding between the Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher.

Mixed breed dogs are often healthier than full blood dogs and are becoming a popular choice. The origin of the Bospin is unknown. We know that the Boston Terrier hails from Boston in the USA and the Miniature Pinscher from Germany.

Through 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.

The Bospin’s Looks

The Bospin, a cross between the smooth haired Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher can actually get any combination and characteristics of either of these two breeds. found in either breed. The Bospin in a small to medium sized dog who can live to be up to 15 years of age.

He has a short coat, but his looks will essentially depend on which is the more dominant breed. Regardless of which breed he takes after in looks, he will be a muscular little dog with long, lean legs and a long tail. They have small muzzles and a fairly long nose with brown eyes and upright ears. The short coat can be in a number of colours such as brown, beige or brindle, with black and white being a more common colour.

Temperament

The Bospin’s personality can be a blend of the Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher. They’ve become such popular little dogs, full of fun and just loving to be with their human family. Because they are fairly even tempered, they make excellent family pets and will get on well with children in the home as well as other pets. This is a small dog but he isn’t a yapper. He isn’t going to make a wonderful watchdog as he can be quite friendly with strangers.

The 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.

The Bospin is an adaptable dog and can easily fit into farm life or city life. When he is trained and socialized he makes an amicable pet, ready to be a loyal and devoted companion.

The Bospin’s personality can actually lean more towards either the Boston Terrier or the Miniature Pinscher, but you’re always going to have fun and games with these entertaining little dogs. They just love the companionship of their human family.

A Bospin needs to be brought into a stable environment so that he can adapt to his new home easily and not be confused by constant changes. Be responsible with your pet and make him one of your family and you’ll be rewarded with an entertaining, fun, loyal 4-legged friend.

As 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.

Your Bospin is a healthy dog breed, but the most healthiest pets can fall victim to health problems. There are some conditions that are specific to certain types of dogs and smaller breeds have their own set of worrisome dog ailments.

Dental Problems

Smaller dogs or toy breeds have smaller skulls and sometimes their smaller mouths have to find room to house the 42 teeth that dogs have. This over-crowding can lead to dental disease.

Collapsed Trachea

This is a common problem in brachycephalic breeds – those dogs that have short, broad muzzles such as the Boston Terrier. Toy breeds are more prone to tracheal collapse, a common cause of airway obstruction in dogs where the dog develops a rasping cough and labored breathing.

Legg Calve Perthes Disease

This is a developmental orthopedic disease where you see degeneration of the femoral head and which can lead to arthritis. The disease affects young animals and more specifically toy breeds. Your dog will have trouble walking and will usually hold one leg up. Your dog can battle along with pain and arthritis.

Being 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.

Grooming

Because of the short coat and minimum shedding, your Bospin will only require minimal maintenance. Brush him down at least twice a week to keep the short coat free of loose hair and to also keep it shiny and glossy. As with any other dog breed, he should have his teeth brushed at 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste and toothbrush. Don’t be tempted to use human toothpaste. Check his ears too to make sure they are free of dirt and infection.

Activities

The Bospin is a hybrid breed and because he comes from two energetic dogs, you’ll need to provide him with activities to keep him busy. He will love to go on a walk with you and you can play ball games with him in the garden or even indoors. He isn’t a working dog so he isn’t going to demand too much activity, but it is better to get into the habit of exercising him regularly to keep him in good shape and to maintain his good health.

Diet

Bospins need to be fed carefully to avoid weight issues or health problems. Puppies need to eat frequently - 4 times a day. For your Bospin, always go for top quality commercially produced dog foods where meat is the top ingredient. Home made foods are always a wonderful choice for your pet and this can include meat, rice and vegetables.

If you’re unsure about feeding your dog, get advice from your vet. Always have fresh, cool water available and make sure you wash out the water bowl regularly.

Feeding

It 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.