Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Pyrenees Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Great Pyrenees versus Harrier: Overview
- Great Pyrenees versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Harrier
- Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Harrier
- Adopting the Great Pyrenees versus Adopting the Harrier
- The Popularity of Great Pyrenees versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of Great Pyrenees versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Harrier
- Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Harriers?
- Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier?
- Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Harrier
- Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier?
- Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Harriers?
- Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Pyrenees Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier? 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 Pyrenees and the Harrier 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 Pyrenees and the Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier 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 Pyrenees and for the Harrier. 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 Pyrenees and the Harrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier.
Great Pyrenees versus Harrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Harrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Great Pyrenees 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 Harrier 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.
Great Pyrenees versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Pyrenees to the Harrier 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 Pyrenees and the Harrier
| Factor | Great Pyrenees | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 85 to 160 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $830 | No Data |
| Price Range | $500 – $1000 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 68 | 183 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Pyrenees 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 Harrier. 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 Pyrenees is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Great Pyrenees. So, you should get the Harrier!
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 Pyrenees and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier
The Great Pyrenees and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier.
Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Great Pyreneess are 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Harrier
The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
Adopting the Great Pyrenees versus Adopting the Harrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Pyreneess and many Harriers 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 Pyrenees named Hank that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Great Pyreneess like Hank on pefinder.com.
Also, like Great Pyreneess, Harriers are also available for adoption. For example, Pilot is a Male Harrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Harriers like Pilot that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Sly Brown – Dfw is the name of another Great Pyrenees (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Bailey is an adorable Male Harrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Great Pyreneess and Harriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Great Pyrenees versus Popularity of Harrier
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 Pyrenees and the Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Pyrenees is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Pyrenees is 68 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Pyrenees
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | Great Pyrenees Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 69 | 173 |
| 2014 | 75 | 181 |
| 2015 | 67 | 183 |
| 2016 | 67 | 186 |
| 2017 | 66 | 183 |
| 2018 | 66 | 189 |
| 2019 | 69 | 186 |
| 2020 | 70 | 190 |
Health Problems of Great Pyrenees versus Health Problems of Harrier
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 Pyrenees and the Harrier 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 Great Pyrenees is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Pyrenees than for the Harrier.
5 health tests are recommended for Great Pyrenees while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Pyreneess and in Harriers.
Great Pyrenees Health Problems
Great Pyreneess are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Great Pyrenees 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 Pyrenees puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Great Pyrenees 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 Pyreneess for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Pyreneess here.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Pyreneess and Harriers
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 Pyrenees Breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.
This is because the Great Pyrenees ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 109 Great Pyreneess, 9 of them had Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Great Pyreneess, and how common these diseases are in Great Pyreneess 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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Pyrenees and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Pyrenees and the Harrier:
| Disease | Great Pyrenees Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems | 1 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Neuronal Degeneration problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 16 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 25 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 27 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 55 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 63 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 101 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 112 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 124 out of 198 dog breeds | 76 out of 198 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 Pyrenees versus Harrier
Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Harriers?
Great Pyreneess shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Harriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier
Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier?
Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
Great Pyreneess 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.
Harriers 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 Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Harrier
Great Pyreneess have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Pyreneess can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier?
Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Great Pyreneess are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Harriers?
Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Harrier?
Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Pyrenees 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 Pyrenees:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Great Pyrenees and how the Harrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Pyrenees and of the Harrier to other breeds:
Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Pyrenees versus Pomapoo Great Pyrenees versus Skye Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Labrador Retriever Great Pyrenees versus Sealyham Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Neapolitan Mastiff Great Pyrenees versus Maltipoo Great Pyrenees versus German Longhaired Pointer Great Pyrenees versus Neapolitan Mastiff Great Pyrenees versus Boston Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Australian Cattle Dog Great Pyrenees versus Shiba Inu Great Pyrenees versus Finnish Spitz Great Pyrenees versus English Toy Spaniel Great Pyrenees versus Keeshond Great Pyrenees versus Finnish Lapphund Great Pyrenees versus Afador Great Pyrenees versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Cockalier Great Pyrenees versus Giant Schnauzer Great Pyrenees versus Dogo Argentino Great Pyrenees versus Biewer Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Morkie Great Pyrenees versus Alaskan Malamute Great Pyrenees versus Italian Greyhound Great Pyrenees versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Japanese Chin Harrier versus Irish Terrier Harrier versus Welsh Terrier Harrier versus Coton de Tulear Harrier versus Saluki Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier Harrier versus Australian Shepherd Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier Harrier versus American Bulldog Harrier versus Frenchton Harrier versus Miniature Pinscher Harrier versus Beagle Harrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Harrier versus American Eskimo Dog Harrier versus Tibetan Spaniel Harrier versus Azawakh Harrier versus Frenchton Harrier versus Berger Picard Harrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Harrier versus Akita Harrier versus English Setter Harrier versus Alaskan Malamute Harrier versus Mountain Cur Harrier versus Komondor Harrier versus Pomchi
Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Harrier. 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 Pyrenees and the Harrier better suits you and your family.