Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview
- Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd
- Temperament of the Pyrenean Shepherd Versus the Great Dane
- Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Pyrenean Shepherd
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Pyrenean Shepherd
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd
- Do Great Danes shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Pyrenean Shepherd
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Dane
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pyrenean Shepherd
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd? 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Great Dane 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 Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd.
Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Pyrenean Shepherd is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Great Dane 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.
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.
Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd
| Factor | Great Dane | Pyrenean Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 25 to 30 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 15 to 17 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 16.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 178 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane 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 the Great Dane is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Great Dane is a better pet than the Pyrenean Shepherd. So, you should get the Great Dane!
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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd
The Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd.
Great Danes weigh 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Great Danes are 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder 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.
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd
The lifespan of Great Danes is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Great Danes is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is between 15 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is 16.0 years.
Pyrenean Shepherds live longer than Great Danes.
Temperament of the Pyrenean Shepherd Versus the Great Dane
The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Pyrenean Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 percent while the temperament score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 75.0 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 81.5 percent, the Great Dane has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Pyrenean Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 4 Pyrenean Shepherds.
Adopting the Great Dane versus Adopting the Pyrenean Shepherd
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Danes 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 Great Dane named Rex that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Danes like Rex on pefinder.com.
Also, like Great Danes, 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.
Mario is the name of another Great Dane (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Great Danes and Pyrenean Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Dane is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 178 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 169 |
| 2014 | 15 | 178 |
| 2015 | 15 | 176 |
| 2016 | 14 | 176 |
| 2017 | 14 | 180 |
| 2018 | 16 | 181 |
| 2019 | 17 | 182 |
| 2020 | 15 | 182 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Pyrenean Shepherd
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Great Dane 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 Great Dane.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pyrenean Shepherd than for the Great Dane.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 5 tests are recommended for the Pyrenean Shepherd.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Pyrenean Shepherds.
Great Dane Health Problems
Great Danes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Great Dane 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 Great Dane puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Great Dane 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 Great Danes for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Danes 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pyrenean Shepherds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes 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 Great Dane Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Great Dane ranks 4 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 183 Great Danes, 10 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Great Danes, and how common these diseases are in Great Danes relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Pyrenean Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Pyrenean Shepherd Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder problems | 4 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 33 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 35 out of 49 dog breeds | 24 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | 27 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 44 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 71 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Pyrenean Shepherd
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Great Danes 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.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Pyrenean Shepherd
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Pyrenean Shepherds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
Great Danes 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 Great Danes and Pyrenean Shepherds?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Pyrenean Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Dane
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Dane 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 Great Dane:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane and how the Pyrenean Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Dane and of the Pyrenean Shepherd to other breeds:
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Dane versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Great Dane versus Irish Water Spaniel Great Dane versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Great Dane versus Kuvasz Great Dane versus Field Spaniel Great Dane versus Lakeland Terrier Great Dane versus Sussex Spaniel Great Dane versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Great Dane versus Brussels Griffon Great Dane versus Barbet Great Dane versus Skye Terrier Great Dane versus Estrela Mountain Dog Great Dane versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Great Dane versus Bich Poo Great Dane versus Barbet Great Dane versus Saint Berdoodle Great Dane versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Great Dane versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Great Dane versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Great Dane versus Afador Great Dane versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Great Dane versus Maltese Great Dane versus Beagle Great Dane versus Pointer Great Dane versus Pharaoh Hound
Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pyrenean Shepherd versus Boerboel Pyrenean Shepherd versus Black Mouth Cur Pyrenean Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier Pyrenean Shepherd versus Bulldog Pyrenean Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Pyrenean Shepherd versus Belgian Malinois Pyrenean Shepherd versus Schipperke Pyrenean Shepherd versus Gordon Setter Pyrenean Shepherd versus Pyredoodle Pyrenean Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog Pyrenean Shepherd versus Cane Corso Pyrenean Shepherd versus Keeshond Pyrenean Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog Pyrenean Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier Pyrenean Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd Pyrenean Shepherd versus Irish Setter Pyrenean Shepherd versus Giant Schnauzer Pyrenean Shepherd versus Finnish Spitz Pyrenean Shepherd versus Labradoodle Pyrenean Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Pyrenean Shepherd versus Papillon Pyrenean Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier Pyrenean Shepherd versus Field Spaniel Pyrenean Shepherd versus Belgian Sheepdog Pyrenean Shepherd versus Bolognese
Conclusion: Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.