Trying to decide between the Great Dane and the Pyrenean Mastiff? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!
Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.
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Both Great Dane and Pyrenean Mastiff are members of the Working Group.
Although these breeds are members of the same breed group, they have some differences and not only similarities so keep reading to learn more.
Great Dane vs Pyrenean Mastiff Size Comparison
Great Danes are larger, with a typical height of 26 to 34 inches and weight of 100 to 200 pounds, while the typical height of Pyrenean Mastiff is 24 to 31 inches and they usually weigh 130 to 200 pounds.
We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.
The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.
Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Great Dane, Pyrenean Mastiff, American female, and American male.
Great Dane vs Pyrenean Mastiff lifespan
No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.
With a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years, Pyrenean Mastiffs usually live longer than Great Danes.
Great Danes' lifespan is 7 to 10 years.
Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Great Dane and Pyrenean Mastiff compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.
When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.
All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...
Unfortunately, Great Danes and Pyrenean Mastiffs don't have a good reputation as good apartment living dogs.
While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Great Danes and Pyrenean Mastiffs tolerate being left alone.
Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.
Speaking of Great Dane and Pyrenean Mastiff, these breeds tolerate hot weather well, but you still need to be cautious when it's hot.
During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.
Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
Pyrenean Mastiff tolerates cold weather better than Great Dane.
Great Danes' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.
The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.
It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.
Looking for a perfect family dog?
If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Great Dane and Pyrenean Mastiff. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.
When it comes to behavior around children, Great Dane simply tends to do better.
Both Great Dane and Pyrenean Mastiff love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.
Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.
Speaking of friendliness toward strangers, Great Danes and Pyrenean Mastiffs are the complete opposite.
While Great Danes are super friendly toward strangers, Pyrenean Mastiffs are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.
All-Around Friendliness
Great Dane
Pyrenean Mastiff
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Health And Grooming Needs
The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.
Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.
Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.
For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.
What about shedding?
One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.
Great Dane is a full-fledged fur factory!
Great Dane shed less than Pyrenean Mastiff do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.
Well, we have bad news. These breeds have high drooling potential.
Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Pyrenean Mastiff and choose Great Dane instead.
Health And Grooming Needs
Great Dane
Pyrenean Mastiff
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size
Great Dane vs Pyrenean Mastiff trainability
Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.
Great Danes are usually easier to train than Pyrenean Mastiffs.
If you choose one of these dogs, remember three pillars of dog training - Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.
Finally, if you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.
Trainability
Great Dane
Pyrenean Mastiff
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential
Do Great Dane and Pyrenean Mastiff need a lot of physical activity?
To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.
Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.
Great Danes have a high level of exercise needs, while Pyrenean Mastiffs require a medium intensity of exercise.
Physical Needs
Great Dane
Pyrenean Mastiff
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness
Great Dane or Pyrenean Mastiff: The bottom line
In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Great Danes and Pyrenean Mastiffs.
To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.
Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.
Note: Barking Royalty isn’t a veterinary provider. Always relay any questions you have regarding your pet’s medical condition to your veterinarian, local animal hospital or other qualified veterinary provider.