Briard vs Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever has a slight edge with children (5/5 vs 4/5). Both breeds can do well in families, but the Golden Retriever's friendly temperament gives it a small advantage around young kids.

If you hate vacuuming, this matters. The Golden Retriever's 5/5 shedding level means daily fur management is part of life.

Purchase prices are in the same ballpark: $1,500–$3,000 for a Briard and $800–$2,500 for a Golden Retriever. The initial investment won't differ dramatically between these two breeds.

Life expectancy favors the Briard: 12–14 years versus the Golden Retriever's 10–12 years. For many families, those extra years together are a compelling reason to lean toward the Briard.

Personality is where these two breeds diverge most visibly. The Briard — originally from France — has a loyal, protective and intelligent disposition.

The Golden Retriever has a slight training edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Both respond to positive reinforcement, but the Golden Retriever tends to catch on a bit faster.

The Briard stands 56–69 cm (22–27 in) and weighs 27–41 kg (60–90 lbs), while the Golden Retriever measures 51–61 cm (20–24 in) and 25–34 kg (55–75 lbs). The Briard is the larger of the two, though not by a dramatic margin.

Both breeds share identical exercise needs (4/5) and similar energy levels (Briard: 4/5, Golden Retriever: 4/5). Your daily exercise routine will look the same regardless of which breed you choose — plan for at least 60 minutes of vigorous daily activity.