Breed Comparison: Great Pyrenees Versus Mountain Cur

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Great Pyrenees Versus Mountain Cur: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur. 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 Mountain Cur.

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 Mountain Cur.

Great Pyrenees versus Mountain Cur: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Mountain Cur is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur 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.

Great Pyrenees versus Mountain Cur: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Pyrenees to the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur

Factor Great Pyrenees Mountain Cur
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 16 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 26 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 3/5
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 1/5
Weight 85 to 160 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $830 $550
Price Range $500 – $1000 $350 – $800
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    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 Mountain Cur. 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 Mountain Cur is 76 out of 125.

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

    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 Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur

    Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are most different:

  • Great Pyreneess have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Mountain Curs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Great Pyreneess gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Mountain Curs are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Great Pyreneess shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Mountain Curs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur

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

  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are not easy to train.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are very playful.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Mountain Cur

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur.

    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, Mountain Curs weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Mountain Curs are 16 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Mountain Cur

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

    The lifespan of Mountain Curs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Mountain Curs is 13.0 years.

    Mountain Curs live longer than Great Pyreneess.

    Price of Great Pyrenees versus Price of Mountain Cur

    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 Mountain Cur puppy is $550. The price of the Mountain Cur typically ranges from $350 – $800. However, the price of the Mountain Cur can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 40 Mountain Cur puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Great Pyrenees is more expensive than the Mountain Cur.

    Great Pyrenees Mountain Cur
    Average Price $830 $550
    Price Range $500 to $1000 $350 to $800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Pyrenees and Mountain Cur. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Pyrenees puppies or how many Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Curs?

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Pyrenees puppy or the Mountain Cur 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.

    Adopting the Great Pyrenees versus Adopting the Mountain Cur

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Great Pyreneess and many Mountain Curs 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, Mountain Curs are also available for adoption. For example, Kobe is a Male Mountain Cur that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Mountain Curs like Kobe that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Great Pyrenees and the Mountain Cur can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Sly Brown Dfw is the name of another Great Pyrenees (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Great Pyreneess and Mountain Curs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Mountain Cur

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

    Mountain Curs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Mountain Cur

    Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mountain Curs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Mountain Cur?

    Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.

    Mountain Curs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mountain Cur?

    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.

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mountain Curs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Mountain Curs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Mountain Cur

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

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

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mountain Curs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Mountain Curs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Mountain Cur?

    Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.

    Mountain Curs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Mountain Cur?

    Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.

    Mountain Curs are not easy to train.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Mountain Cur?

    Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Mountain Cur?

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur:

  • Black Mouth Cur (80 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (77 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Great Pyrenees vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Pyrenees versus Pyredoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Pekingese     Great Pyrenees versus Siberian Husky     Great Pyrenees versus Swedish Vallhund     Great Pyrenees versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Great Pyrenees versus Skye Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Dogo Argentino     Great Pyrenees versus Black Mouth Cur     Great Pyrenees versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Australian Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Bulldog     Great Pyrenees versus Belgian Malinois     Great Pyrenees versus Sloughi     Great Pyrenees versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Great Pyrenees versus Affenhuahua     Great Pyrenees versus Bloodhound     Great Pyrenees versus Norfolk Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Tibetan Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Boxerdoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Giant Schnauzer     Great Pyrenees versus Lhasa Apso     Great Pyrenees versus Irish Wolfhound     Great Pyrenees versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Great Pyrenees versus Giant Schnauzer     Great Pyrenees versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Mountain Cur Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mountain Cur versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Mountain Cur versus Schnoodle     Mountain Cur versus Mal Shi     Mountain Cur versus Alaskan Malamute     Mountain Cur versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Mountain Cur versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Mountain Cur versus Basenji     Mountain Cur versus Ibizan Hound     Mountain Cur versus Ibizan Hound     Mountain Cur versus Japanese Spitz     Mountain Cur versus Irish Wolfhound     Mountain Cur versus Weimaraner     Mountain Cur versus Pyredoodle     Mountain Cur versus Sheepadoodle     Mountain Cur versus Norwich Terrier     Mountain Cur versus English Toy Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Patterdale Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Portuguese Water Dog     Mountain Cur versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Mountain Cur versus Bracco Italiano     Mountain Cur versus Bernedoodle     Mountain Cur versus French Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus Lakeland Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Yorkshire Terrier     

    Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Mountain Cur. 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 Mountain Cur better suits you and your family.