A Detailed Comparison of the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

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English Setter Versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Setter 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 English Setter or the Pyrenean Mastiff

English Setter versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, the English Setter 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 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.

English Setter versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Setter 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.

Factor English Setter Pyrenean Mastiff
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 24 to 31 inches
Life Span 11 to 15 years 10 to 13 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 80 pounds 130 to 200 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1020 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1200 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    *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 English Setter 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 a English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Pyrenean Mastiff is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff

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

  • English Setters do not like to be left alone. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • English Setters do not have the tendency to drool. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • English Setters are very friendly towards strangers. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Setters gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • English Setters 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.
  • English Setters 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 English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff

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

  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff are highly intelligent.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Pyrenean Mastiff

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

    English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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.

    Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    English Setters do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Pyrenean Mastiff

    English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

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

    English Setters are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Do English Setters shed more than Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    English Setters shed moderately.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    English Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    English Setters are fairly easy to train.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    English Setters 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 English Setters and Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    English Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    English Setters 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Pyrenean Mastiff

    English Setters 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:

  • Irish Setter (83 percent match with English Setter). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Mastiff vs Irish Setter.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pyrenean Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Mastiff:

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (74 percent match with Pyrenean Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Estrela Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Pyrenean Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Estrela Mountain Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (72 percent match with Pyrenean Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Spanish Mastiff.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Setter versus Akbash     English Setter versus Berger Picard     English Setter versus Xoloitzcuintli     English Setter versus Chihuahua     English Setter versus Greyhound     English Setter versus Field Spaniel     English Setter versus American Staffordshire Terrier     English Setter versus Coton de Tulear     English Setter versus Cocker Spaniel     English Setter versus Xoloitzcuintli     

    Pyrenean Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Mastiff versus Akbash     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Beagle     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Whippet     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Boxerdoodle     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Black Mouth Cur     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Bichon Frise     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Bedlington Terrier     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Tibetan Terrier     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Afador     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     

    Conclusion: English Setter 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 English Setter and the Pyrenean Mastiff better suits you and your family.