Spanish Mastiff vs Briard - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Spanish Mastiff vs Briard - Breed ComparisonSpanish Mastiff is originated from Spain but Briard is originated from France. Spanish Mastiff may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Briard. Spanish Mastiff may weigh 60 kg / 133 pounds more than Briard. Both Spanish Mastiff and Briard has same life span. Both Spanish Mastiff and Briard has same litter size. Spanish Mastiff requires Low maintenance. But Briard requires High maintenance

History

spanish mastiff - historyThe Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed that comes from Spain. He has always been a guardian dog.

He is an ancient dog breed, in fact dating back to medieval times. He has always been a guardian of livestock, protecting them from attacks from wolves and other predators.

The first breed standard of this pure breed dog was made by the FCI in 1946. A breeding program was also formed for this dog In 1981.

The dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in July 2006.

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

spanish mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Spanish Mastiff weighs between 52 and 100kg and the dog’s height is between 72 and 88cm. He has a thick, heavy coat with rustic colors of fawn, black, grey, reddish and yellow as well as brindle.

He is powerful and muscular with a huge head. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is long. If you were looking for a puppy, the American Kennel Club is the only site which has 100% puppies from AKC-Registered litters.

Temperament:

Large, kind, gentle and intelligent, the Spanish Mastiff is well balanced. When you see him you won’t find a dog that is light on his feet and who jumps around excitedly. He is a dignified, intelligent dog, quiet and calm.

Even though he is so calm, it is still a good idea to have him trained and socialized as his very size could be a problem. When you tell him to lie down, you want him to listen to you. This big, gentle giant is devoted to his human family ad takes the role of guardian and protector seriously.

He isn’t suited to life in the city but is better suited to a large property, also because he has a loud bark.

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

spanish mastiff dog - characteristicsKind, gentle, quietly confident and intelligent are just some of the wonderful characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff.

You can add loyalty and devotion to these characteristics too and the fact that he wants to protect you.

Your gentle giant is guaranteed to make you the most wonderful companion and he deserves the very best treatment there is.

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

spanish mastiff puppies - health problemsIt is good to be wise about some of the common dog problems there are that could plague your Spanish Mastiff. Vets are very familiar with these dog illnesses and they tailor their treatment to suit the needs of your dog.

Remember to get your pet vaccinated against the terrible diseases you get that can kill a dog – rabies, parvo and distemper.

Obesity:

People often think that obesity is something that isn’t dangerous, when in fact it is a serious disease that can cause joint problems, digestive disorders, heart disease, back pain and hip dysplasia.

Dehydration:

Dogs rely on water just like what humans do to keep them healthy and functioning properly.

Water is critically important to every organ and also assists with digestion. Your dog is panting and urinating throughout the day and needs to replace the liquid he loses.

Dehydration in dogs results in loss of electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride, and potassium.This is bad as these minerals have important functions.

A dog that is dehydrated has loss of appetite, loss of skin elasticity, is lethargic, has sunken eyes, wants to vomit, has a dry nose and thick saliva. No dog should ever be left without a constant supply of fresh, cool water day and night.

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:

spanish mastiff dogs - caringThese are giant breed dogs, so you have to be careful with the way you feed them. Large dogs like these are prone to hip dysplasia so you need to choose a food which has ingredients that work to prevent this disease.

You have to be very careful that you don’t overfeed your dog so that the extra weight puts strain on the joints.

This dog will do well with some raw meat added into his diet. Also, include home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach chopped up and added to his dry kibble for giant breeds. Added in twice a week can do him the world of good.

Remember to never leave your dog without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

A good bush of the thick coat twice a week will keep the Spanish Mastiff looking his best.

The nails will also need to be trimmed regularly to avoid overgrowth and to avoid the nails catching onto things. The ears too should be checked regularly to avoid dampness inside the ear which can cause bacteria.

Exercise:

As a fully grown adult, the Spanish Mastiff isn’t a frisky, frolicking dog but he will still require daily exercise. Options for exercise include long walks, hikes, swimming and ball games.

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:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Spain
France
Height Male:
72 - 88 cm
28 - 35 inches
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
72 - 88 cm
28 - 35 inches
58 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
52 - 100 kg
114 - 221 pounds
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
52 - 100 kg
114 - 221 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 10
8 - 10
Size:
Giant dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Mastín Español
Berger de Brie Berger Briard
Colors Available:
brindle., Fawn, grey, reddish and yellow, black
Uniform black, fawn, grey or blue.
Coat:
Shortish and dense
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, Stubborn, 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

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. Spanish Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Spanish Mastiff vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Spanish Mastiff vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Spanish Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  29. Spanish Mastiff vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  30. Spanish Mastiff vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  32. Spanish Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  33. Spanish Mastiff vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Spanish Mastiff vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Spanish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Spanish Mastiff vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  37. St. Bernard vs Spanish Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  38. Spanish Mastiff vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  39. Spanish Mastiff vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  40. Spanish Mastiff vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Spanish Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Spanish Mastiff vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  43. Spanish Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds