Breed Comparison: Dutch Shepherd Versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd

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Dutch Shepherd Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd or the Pyrenean Shepherd

Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are Herding Dogs. This means both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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.

Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd Pyrenean Shepherd
Life Span 12 to 15 years 15 to 17 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 25 to 30 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 16.0 years
Average Price $1590 No Data
Price Range $900 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.

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

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

  • Dutch Shepherds 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.
  • Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd

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

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd

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

    Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 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 Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the Pyrenean Shepherd

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dutch Shepherds 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 Dutch Shepherd named Toby 1078 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dutch Shepherds like Toby 1078 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dutch Shepherds, 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Mercy – Located In Connecticut is the name of another Dutch Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Dutch Shepherds 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Pyrenean Shepherd

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

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

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

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

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

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dutch 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 Dutch Shepherd:

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Shepherd vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Shepherd vs Japanese Spitz.
  • 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 Dutch Shepherd vs Cairn Terrier.
  • Lakeland Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Pomsky (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler     Dutch Shepherd versus Cockalier     Dutch Shepherd versus Goldador     Dutch Shepherd versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Dutch Shepherd versus Tibetan Mastiff     Dutch Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel     Dutch Shepherd versus West Highland White Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Scottish Deerhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Kai Ken     Dutch Shepherd versus Bernedoodle     

    Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Shepherd versus Great Pyrenees     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Keeshond     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Greyhound     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Tibetan Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Manchester Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Jack Russell Terrier     

    Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.