Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Briard: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Briard: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Briard: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Briard
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Briard
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Briard
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Briard
- Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Briard
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Briard
- The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Briard
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Briard
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Briard
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Briard
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Briards?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Briard?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Briard?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Briards?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Briard?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Briard
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Briards?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Briard?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Briards?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Briard
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Briard. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Briard: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Briard? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Pomeranian and the Briard better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Pomeranian and the Briard.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Briard is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Pomeranian and for the Briard. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Pomeranian and the Briard.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pomeranian or the Briard.
Pomeranian versus Briard: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Briard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Briard is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Pomeranian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Briard belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Pomeranian versus Briard: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Briard based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Pomeranian and the Briard
| Factor | Pomeranian | Briard |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 70 to 100 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $2500 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 81.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 135 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 23 | 30 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pomeranian in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Briard. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Pomeranian is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Briard is 79 out of 125.
Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Pomeranian and the Briard, we still think that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Briard.
This is because Pomeranians are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Pomeranian will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Pomeranian :-). We are for the Pomeranian. So get a Pomeranian!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Briard
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Briard are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Briard
The Pomeranian and the Briard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Briard are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Briard
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Briard.
The Pomeranian weighs 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. The Pomeranian is 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Briard weighs 70 to 100 pounds when fully grown. The Briard is 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Briard
The lifespan of the Pomeranian is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Pomeranian is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of the Briard is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Briard is 11.0 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the Briard.
Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Briard
The Briard has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the Briard is 81.7 percent while the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 81.7 percent, the Briard has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Briard by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 382 Briards.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Briard
The average price of the Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Briard puppy is $2500. The price of the Briard typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Briard can be as low as $2000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 8 Briard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Briard is more expensive than the Pomeranian.
| Pomeranian | Briard | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $2500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Briard. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Briard puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Briards
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Briard puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Briard
| Pomeranian | Briard | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 23 out of 130 dog breeds | 30 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Pomeranian has an obedience intelligence rank of 23 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pomeranian belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Pomeranians tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Briard has an obedience intelligence rank of 30 out of 130 dog breeds. The Briard belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Briards tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Briard.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Briard
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pomeranian and the Briard over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Briard. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 22 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Briard is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Briard
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Briard Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 127 |
| 2014 | 20 | 132 |
| 2015 | 21 | 130 |
| 2016 | 22 | 132 |
| 2017 | 22 | 127 |
| 2018 | 23 | 132 |
| 2019 | 24 | 135 |
| 2020 | 23 | 150 |
| 2021 | 24 | 150 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Briard
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Pomeranian and the Briard are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pomeranian is prone to more genetic health problems than the Briard.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the Briard.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 5 tests are recommended for the Briard.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Briards.
Pomeranian Health Problems
Pomeranians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pomeranian puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Pomeranian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pomeranian breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pomeranians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pomeranians here.
Briard Health Problems
Briards are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Briard puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Briard puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Briard breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Briards for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Briards here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Briards
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pomeranian Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Pomeranian ranks 1 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1542 Pomeranians, 456 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pomeranians, and how common these diseases are in Pomeranians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Briard Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Briard ranks 84 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2881 Briards, 406 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Briards, and how common these diseases are in Briards relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Briard and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Briard:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Briard Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 84 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 130 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 134 out of 144 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Briard
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Briards can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Briards?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Briard?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Briard?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Briards get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Briards?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Briards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Briard?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Briards are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Briard
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Briards do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Briards?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Briard?
Pomeranians have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Briards have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Briards?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Briards are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Briards Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Briard
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Briards Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Briards can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Briard?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Briard?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Briards are OK for new dog owners.
Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Pomeranian compares to other breeds aside from the Briard. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Leonberger Pomeranian versus Bernese Mountain Dog Pomeranian versus Fila Brasileiro Pomeranian versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Pomeranian versus Spanish Mastiff Pomeranian versus Chinese Shar-Pei Pomeranian versus Flat-Coated Retriever Pomeranian versus Field Spaniel Pomeranian versus Yorkipoo Pomeranian versus King Shepherd Pomeranian versus Maremma Sheepdog Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Pomeranian versus Bordoodle Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier Pomeranian versus Norfolk Terrier Pomeranian versus Weimaraner Pomeranian versus Mal Shi Pomeranian versus Glen of Imaal Terrier
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Briard. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Pomeranian and the Briard better suits you and your family.