Is the Basenji Better than the Pyrenean Mastiff as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Basenji Versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff? 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 Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Basenji and for the Pyrenean Mastiff. 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 Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

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

Basenji versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basenji is a small-sized dog while the Pyrenean Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Basenji 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 Pyrenean Mastiff 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.

Basenji versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basenji to the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff

Factor Basenji Pyrenean Mastiff
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 13 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 31 inches
General Health 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 3/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 130 to 200 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1560 No Data
Price Range $1450 – $1450 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Basenji Night Blindness / PRA DNA Test
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Fanconi syndrome
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of Missouri
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basenji 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 Pyrenean Mastiff. 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 Basenji is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pyrenean Mastiff is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basenji is a better pet than the Pyrenean Mastiff. So, you should get the Basenji!

    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 Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff are most different:

    • Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs can tolerate cold weather.
    • Basenjis do not have the tendency to drool. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Basenjis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Basenjis adapt well to apartment living. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Basenjis are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Basenjis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff

    The Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff are most similar:

    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff not very playful.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Basenji versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

    Basenjis weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Basenjis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pyrenean Mastiffs weigh 130 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Mastiffs are 24 to 31 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basenji versus Pyrenean Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Pyrenean Mastiffs is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Pyrenean Mastiffs is 11.5 years.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs live longer than Basenjis.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Basenjis shed more than Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Pyrenean Mastiff

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Basenjis 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.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs 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.

    Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Pyrenean Mastiff

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

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

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basenji or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basenji versus Pyrenean Mastiff. 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 Basenji and the Pyrenean Mastiff better suits you and your family.