Breed Comparison: Dogo Argentino Versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Dogo Argentino versus Pyrenean Shepherd

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Dogo Argentino Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Dogo Argentino and for the Pyrenean Shepherd. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

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

Dogo Argentino versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Pyrenean Shepherd is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Dogo Argentino belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Pyrenean Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Dogo Argentino versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino to the Pyrenean Shepherd 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.

Factor Dogo Argentino Pyrenean Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 27 inches 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 25 to 30 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 15 to 17 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 16.0 years
Average Price $2510 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 178

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dogo Argentino 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 Shepherd. 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 a Dogo Argentino is 67 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most different:

  • Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pyrenean Shepherds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pyrenean Shepherds weigh 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Shepherds are 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Adopting the Dogo Argentino versus Adopting the Pyrenean Shepherd

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dogo Argentinos and many Pyrenean Shepherds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Dogo Argentino named Max that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dogo Argentinos like Max on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dogo Argentinos, Pyrenean Shepherds are also available for adoption. For example, Boone is a Male Pyrenean Shepherd that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pyrenean Shepherds like Boone that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Pirate is the name of another Dogo Argentino (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Dogo Argentinos and Pyrenean Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 178 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 182
    2013 no data 169
    2014 no data 178
    2015 no data 176
    2016 no data 176
    2017 no data 180
    2018 no data 181
    2019 no data 182

    Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pyrenean Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dogo Argentino.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pyrenean Shepherd than for the Dogo Argentino.

    3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 5 tests are recommended for the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogo Argentinos and in Pyrenean Shepherds.

    Dogo Argentino Health Problems

    Dogo Argentinos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dogo Argentino puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Dogo Argentino puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dogo Argentino breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dogo Argentinos for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos here.

    Pyrenean Shepherd Health Problems

    Pyrenean Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pyrenean Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Pyrenean Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pyrenean Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pyrenean Shepherds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pyrenean Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos and Pyrenean Shepherds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dogo Argentino Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dogo Argentino ranks 3 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 105 Dogo Argentinos, 3 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dogo Argentinos, and how common these diseases are in Dogo Argentinos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 3 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 16 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 85 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pyrenean Shepherd Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Pyrenean Shepherd ranks 24 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 79 Pyrenean Shepherds, 4 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pyrenean Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Pyrenean Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 24 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 27 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 44 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 71 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 72 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Pyrenean Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd:

    Disease Dogo Argentino Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 3 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 16 out of 198 dog breeds 71 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 85 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 24 out of 49 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 27 out of 159 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 44 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 72 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Pyrenean Shepherd

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

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

    Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dogo Argentinos 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 Shepherds 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dogo Argentino that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dogo Argentino:

  • American Bulldog (78 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Shepherd vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Shepherd vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pyrenean Shepherd that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pyrenean Shepherd:

  • Cairn Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Cairn Terrier.
  • Lakeland Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Pomsky (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dogo Argentino and how the Pyrenean Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dogo Argentino and of the Pyrenean Shepherd to other breeds:

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Bouvier des Flandres     Dogo Argentino versus Bulldog     Dogo Argentino versus West Highland White Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Keeshond     Dogo Argentino versus Chow Chow     Dogo Argentino versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Dogo Argentino versus Chorkie     Dogo Argentino versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Dogo Argentino versus Black Mouth Cur     Dogo Argentino versus Shetland Sheepdog     

    Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Shepherd versus Pyredoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Dalmatian     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Pyredoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Catahoula Bulldog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Havanese     Pyrenean Shepherd versus American Bulldog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd     Pyrenean Shepherd versus King Shepherd     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Dogo Argentino and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.