Parson Russell Terrier vs Briard - Breed Comparison

Parson Russell Terrier vs Briard - Breed ComparisonParson Russell Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Briard is originated from France. Parson Russell Terrier may grow 33 cm / 12 inches shorter than Briard. Parson Russell Terrier may weigh 32 kg / 70 pounds lesser than Briard. Parson Russell Terrier may live 3 years more than Briard. Both Parson Russell Terrier and Briard has almost same litter size. Parson Russell Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But Briard requires High maintenance

History

parson russell terrier - historyThe Parson Russell Terrier hails from England and is a small to medium sized dog dating back to the 18th century. It is believed that Reverend John ‘Jack’ Russell was the developer of this dog. The Parson has always been involved with England’s sport of foxhunting.

They’re spritely and quick and have been able to keep up on a hunt and take on a fox in its lair. The dog was first recognized in 1990 in the United Kingdom as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier and in America in 1997.

All the top kennel clubs recognize this dog as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier.

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.

Description

parson russell terrier puppy - descriptionThe Parson Jack Russell is essentially a white dog with black and tan or orange-fawn patches. He can be tri-colored too. The coat is either smooth, rough or broken.

He stands at between 33–36cm tall at the withers and weighs between 5 and 8kg. Unlike the Jack Russell, the Parson Russell Terrier has longer legs. He has some longer hair on the head, legs and body. The ears are floppy wit the tip pointed forward. The tail has always been docked but when left long it it held high, slightly curving over the back.

Temperament:

Feisty, brave, cheeky and alert, the Parson Russell Terrier is an energetic dog who gets on well with children as he knows that this is essentially where his games come from.

He is bold and clever and you’ll be able to have him trained and socialized without any trouble. These little dogs are full of life and they are protective of their humans and their property, making excellent watchdogs.

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

parson russell terrier dog - characteristicsIn general the Parson is a friendly,loving dog, fairly small but packed full of feisty personality.

They make excellent pets for the entire family. He is an intelligent dog, but typical of most terriers he can be stubborn, but this can easily be fixed with training and socialization. With good care, he’ll make you a wonderful little pet and companion.

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

parson russell terrier puppies - health problemsYour Parson Jack Russell can live to be between 12 and 15 years but nonetheless he does have some breed-related health issues to watch for.

Eye Disorders:

Eye conditions which can affect this dog include primary lens luxation,cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. With cataracts the lens of the eye develops a cloudy look resulting in poorer vision and sometimes blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs.

Obesity:

Your Parson Jack Russel should be lean and muscular and always full of energy. Avoid feeding him unhealthy treats which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Parasites:

All kinds of parasites such as ticks, fleas and worms can invade your dog’s body. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms can cause havoc with their health and some of these parasites can even be transmitted to humans. It’s why it is important to get your puppy to the vet to be de-wormed and to get his first injections.

Liver Problems:

A liver disorder known as portosystemic shunt can mean that some of the blood supply doesn’t get to the liver and it doesn’t function properly. This will mean the liver can’t remove toxins from the bloodstream effectively.

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

parson russell terrier dogs - caringThe Parson Russell Terrier has different coat types – the smooth and rough and both will require regular brushing. Rough coats will require plucking or clipping to avoid matting.

Check his eyes and ears regularly. Look inside his ears for excess wax and dirt which could lead to an ear infection. His nails should also be trimmed.

No Puppies – Spay or Neuter:

The best thing you can do for your Parson Russell Terrier if you don’t want your pet producing puppies is to have it spayed or neutered. Spaying for females or neutering for males decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers too so it can be beneficial.

Diet:

Diet is hugely important for a Parson Russell Terrier and the food you decide for him can impact his health. Many time those ‘treats’ you feed your pet do nothing more but give him a stomach ache.

It's tempting to pop chocolates, popcorn, nuts and ice cream into your pets mouth when he is so adorable but in the long run it is shortening his life. All he basically requires and needs is a simple, consistent diet of the top commercially manufactured foods mixed with some tasty home made food from time to time.

Boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach will do your pet wonders. Ensure he always has fresh, cool water available to him.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
France
Height Male:
33 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
33 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
58 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
8 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Parson, Jack Russell Terrier
Berger de Brie Berger Briard
Colors Available:
White, black - tri-colored, tan, fawn
Uniform black, fawn, grey or blue.
Coat:
Short and smooth, rough or broken
Double, wavy, long, fine
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rat Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Scottish Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Patterdale Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Parson Russell Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Parson Russell Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Parson Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Parson Russell Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  8. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Parson Russell Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Parson Russell Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Parson Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Parson Russell Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  13. Parson Russell Terrier vs Norwich Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Parson Russell Terrier vs Norfolk Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Parson Russell Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Parson Russell Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  17. Parson Russell Terrier vs Manchester Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Parson Russell Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Parson Russell Terrier vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Parson Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Parson Russell Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Parson Russell Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Parson Russell Terrier vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  27. Briard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Briard vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Briard vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  30. Briard vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  31. Rough Collie vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  32. East German Shepherd vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  33. Saarlooswolfhond vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  34. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  35. Huntaway vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  36. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  37. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  38. South Russian Ovcharka vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  39. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  40. Samoyed vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  41. Labradoodle vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  42. Mixed vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  43. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  44. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  45. Great Pyrenees vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  46. Presa Canario vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  47. Labrador Husky vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  48. Perro de Presa Canario vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  49. Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Briard - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds