Is the Azawakh Better than the Great Pyrenees as a Pet? Our Answer.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Azawakh Versus Great Pyrenees: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees? 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 Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees 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 Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees 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 Azawakh and for the Great Pyrenees. 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 Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Azawakh or the Great Pyrenees.

Azawakh versus Great Pyrenees: Overview

A very important difference between the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Azawakh is a large-sized dog while the Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Azawakh belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Great Pyrenees belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Azawakh versus Great Pyrenees: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Azawakh to the Great Pyrenees 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 Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees

Factor Azawakh Great Pyrenees
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 85 to 160 pounds
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $500 – $1000
Average Price No Data $830
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 84.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Azawakh 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 Great Pyrenees. 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 Azawakh is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Great Pyrenees is 63 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Azawakh is a better pet than the Great Pyrenees. So, you should get the Azawakh!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees

    Below is a list of where the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are most different:

    • Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Great Pyreneess can tolerate cold weather.
    • Azawakhs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Great Pyreneess have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Azawakhs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Great Pyreneess do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Azawakhs adapt well to apartment living. However, Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.

    The Similarities Between the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees

    The Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are most similar:

    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees are very easy to groom.

    Size Comparison of Azawakh versus Great Pyrenees

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees.

    Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Great Pyreneess are 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Azawakh versus Great Pyrenees

    The lifespan of Azawakhs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Azawakhs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess is 11.0 years.

    Azawakhs live longer than Great Pyreneess.

    Temperament of the Great Pyrenees Versus the Azawakh

    The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Great Pyrenees.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Great Pyrenees is 84.9 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 100.0 percent, the Azawakh has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.9 percent, the Great Pyrenees has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees by measuring the temperaments of 1 Azawakhs and 152 Great Pyreneess.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Azawakh versus Great Pyrenees

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Azawakhs shed more than Great Pyreneess?

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

    Great Pyreneess shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Azawakh or the Great Pyrenees

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Azawakh or the Great Pyrenees?

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

    Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.

    Does the Azawakh Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Great Pyrenees?

    Azawakhs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Great Pyreneess have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Azawakhs Bark and Howl? What about Great Pyreneess?

    Azawakhs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Azawakh vs. Great Pyrenees

    Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Great Pyreneess have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

    Great Pyreneess can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Azawakh or the Great Pyrenees?

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Azawakhs good family dogs? What about Great Pyreneess?

    Azawakhs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Great Pyreneess are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Azawakhs and Great Pyreneess?

    Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Azawakh Easier to Train than the Great Pyrenees?

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.

    Is the Azawakh Better for Apartment Owners than the Great Pyrenees?

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Azawakh or the Great Pyrenees?

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Azawakh versus Great Pyrenees. 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 Azawakh and the Great Pyrenees better suits you and your family.