Dog breed comparison
Great Pyrenees vs Anatolian Shepherd Dog
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home. The Great Pyrenees is the bigger breed, about 3 kg heavier on average. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog tends to live about 1 year longer.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Great Pyrenees | Anatolian Shepherd Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Working Dogs | Working Dogs |
| Size | Very Large | Very Large |
| Height | 25 to 32 inches | 23 to 29 |
| Weight | 85 to 160 pounds | 80 to 150 pounds |
| Life span | 10 to 12 years | 11 to 13 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Great Pyrenees
A livestock guardian from the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, bred to protect sheep from wolves and bears. It became the royal dog of France under Louis XIV.
Pyrs bark a lot, especially at night, which is how they warn predators away.
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Osteosarcoma
- Patellar luxation
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog
An ancient livestock guardian from the Anatolian plateau of Turkey, bred to protect sheep and goats from wolves and bears. Namibia's Cheetah Conservation Fund now uses it to protect herds, which keeps farmers from shooting cheetahs.
It is territorial and protective by instinct, so early socialisation is essential.
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Entropion
- Hypothyroidism
- Sensitivity to anaesthesia
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Easy to train
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is easier to train than the Great Pyrenees.
Shedding
The Great Pyrenees sheds more than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
Barking
The Great Pyrenees barks more than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
Energy
The Great Pyrenees has more energy than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
Exercise needs
The Great Pyrenees needs more exercise than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
Good with children
The Great Pyrenees is better with children than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
Which to choose
Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherd Dog?
Choose the Great Pyrenees if…
- You want an active, playful companion (it has more energy)
- You’re out walking, running or hiking most days (it needs more exercise)
- You want a dog that is better with children
- You want a dog that gets on better with other dogs
Choose the Anatolian Shepherd Dog if…
- You want a dog that is easier to train
- You want a dog that sheds less
- You want a dog that barks less
- You’d like a calmer pet (it is calmer)
Questions.
Is the Great Pyrenees or the Anatolian Shepherd Dog bigger, and which lives longer?
The Great Pyrenees is the bigger breed, about 3 kg heavier on average. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog tends to live about 1 year longer. Individual pets vary, so meet the parents or the pet where you can.
Which is easier to train, the Great Pyrenees or the Anatolian Shepherd Dog?
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is generally easier to train than the Great Pyrenees. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Great Pyrenees or the Anatolian Shepherd Dog?
The Great Pyrenees is usually the better fit for families with children, though a well-socialised Anatolian Shepherd Dog can be great too. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog sheds less than the Great Pyrenees. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd Dog have?
The Great Pyrenees is prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, osteosarcoma. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is prone to hip dysplasia, entropion, hypothyroidism. Both share a risk of hip dysplasia. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
