Which is Better between the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Great Pyrenees Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler? 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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler.

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 Lancashire Heeler.

Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Pyrenees to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler

Factor Great Pyrenees Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Easy To Train 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
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 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Weight 85 to 160 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $830 $200
Price Range $500 – $1000 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • 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 Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lancashire Heeler is a better pet than the Great Pyrenees. So, you should get the Lancashire Heeler!

    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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Great Pyreneess have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Lancashire Heelers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler

    The Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are most similar:

  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler 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 Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Lancashire Heeler.

    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, Lancashire Heelers weigh 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lancashire Heelers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is between 9 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is 11.5 years.

    Lancashire Heelers live longer than Great Pyreneess.

    Price of Great Pyrenees versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Great Pyrenees puppy is $830. The price of the Great Pyrenees typically ranges from $500 – $1000. However, the price of a Great Pyrenees can be as low as $195 and as high as $2825. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 352 Great Pyrenees puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lancashire Heeler puppy is $200. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $200. However, the price of the Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Great Pyrenees is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Great Pyrenees Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $830 $200
    Price Range $500 to $1000 $200 to $200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Pyrenees and Lancashire Heeler. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Pyrenees puppies or how many Lancashire Heeler puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Pyreneess. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Pyreneess. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers?

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Pyrenees puppy or the Lancashire Heeler puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Great Pyrenees versus Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler

    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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Pyrenees than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    5 health tests are recommended for Great Pyrenees while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Pyreneess and in Lancashire Heelers.

    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:

  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Pyreneess here.

    Lancashire Heeler Health Problems

    Lancashire Heelers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heelers for:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lancashire Heelers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler

    Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.

    Lancashire Heelers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Great Pyreneess shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Lancashire Heeler

    Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    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.

    Lancashire Heelers 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.

    Do Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Lancashire Heelers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Lancashire Heeler

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

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

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Great Pyreneess can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Lancashire Heelers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Great Pyreneess are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lancashire Heelers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Lancashire Heelers?

    Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lancashire Heelers are not the best dogs 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:

  • Black and Tan Coonhound (73 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (72 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (75 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lancashire Heeler

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler:

  • Dalmatian (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Great Pyrenees and how the Lancashire Heeler compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Pyrenees and of the Lancashire Heeler to other breeds:

    Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Pyrenees versus Havanese     Great Pyrenees versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Great Pyrenees versus Cocker Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Norfolk Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Yorkipoo     Great Pyrenees versus American Water Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Westiepoo     Great Pyrenees versus Norwich Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Skye Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Patterdale Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Chinook     Great Pyrenees versus Goldador     Great Pyrenees versus Australian Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus English Cocker Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Westiepoo     Great Pyrenees versus Samoyed     Great Pyrenees versus Cockalier     Great Pyrenees versus Newfoundland     Great Pyrenees versus Manchester Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Great Pyrenees versus Pug     Great Pyrenees versus Pyredoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Brussels Griffon     Great Pyrenees versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Great Pyrenees versus Cairn Terrier     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Brittany     Lancashire Heeler versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Boerboel     Lancashire Heeler versus Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus German Pinscher     Lancashire Heeler versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus Akita Chow     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasa Apso     Lancashire Heeler versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Cesky Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Biewer Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Bloodhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Whippet     Lancashire Heeler versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Shichon     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lancashire Heeler versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Lakeland Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Keeshond     Lancashire Heeler versus Bracco Italiano     

    Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.