Golden Retriever VS Great Pyrenees: 19 Differences

The Great Pyrenees are gentle giants initially bred as guard dogs. They are notorious for their stubborn nature but are very loyal to their owners.

Golden retrievers are popular dogs famous for their obedience and lovely temperament. They have a hunting heritage but nowadays are commonly used as service and family pets.

Consider your personality, lifestyle, and purpose of the dog before getting a puppy to pick the best companion and not regret your decision.

Size & Weight

Contrary to a widespread misconception, golden retrievers aren’t large dogs. They are a medium-sized breed, with females not exceeding 22.5 inches in height and males 24 inches. Goldens weigh 55-75 pounds on average.

The Great Pyrenees are significantly larger. They range from 27 to 32 inches in height and can weigh up to 160 pounds, although females rarely exceed 100 pounds.

Such a giant dog can be used as a cuddling bear but needs more room than a golden retriever.

Shedding

Golden retrievers have a double coat. They shed year-round, but in spring and autumn, they entirely change their undercoat, and shedding becomes extra intense. If you want a golden retriever, be ready to vacuum your furniture and carpets daily.

Looking at the pictures of the Great Pyrenees, it’s easy to guess that they’re also notorious shedders. These fluffy white clouds of fur need regular grooming and aren’t suitable for people allergic to dog hair.

Personality

The temperament is the most significant difference between golden retrievers and Great Pyrenees. Golden retrievers are extraverted, friendly, curious, exuberant dogs.

They don’t mind strangers and are very affectionate, happily cuddling with owners. These dogs remain puppies at heart even at old age.

The Great Pyrenees, too, are friendly and affectionate, but they are much calmer and less energetic. These well-mannered, serious dogs are gentle giants who won’t hurt a fly. The Great Pyrenees are more independent than golden retrievers.

Child-Friendliness

Golden retrievers are considered a child-friendly dog breed because of their affectionate, gentle, friendly nature.

However, they can be too energetic for young kids and can unintentionally knock them over during play. Goldens make better companions for older kids.

The Great Pyrenees are the best family dogs. They are devoted, patient, calm, and gentle, so they will never hurt a child and won’t let anyone else do it. However, parent supervision is always necessary when a child plays with a dog.

Pet-Friendliness

Golden retrievers get along with anyone, including dogs of all sizes, cats, and small pets. A golden retriever can even become best buddies with a hamster because these dogs have a low prey drive.

The Great Pyrenees get along the best with dogs of their breed but can live with other dogs or cats if properly socialized. They aren’t prone to aggression but may be suspicious of unfamiliar animals.

Barking Level

Golden retrievers don’t bark much. They have loud barks but only use them when necessary. However, goldens may become overly vocal if they aren’t getting enough mental stimulation or physical activity.

The Great Pyrenees are a guarding dog breed. Consequently, barking is rooted in their genes.

The Great Pyrenees may not bark a lot as puppies, but as they age, barking becomes more frequent. This trait may be problematic for people with silence-loving neighbors and babies.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers are some of the most intelligent dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club. They are highly obedient, quickly learn new commands, effectively communicate with people, and can resolve complex tasks.

Golden retrievers are eager to please and rarely stubborn, so training a golden is typically simple. The Great Pyrenees are ranked 64th on the most intelligent dog list, primarily because of their stubborn, freedom-loving nature.

They are brilliant dogs but require an experienced trainer to uncover their potential. These dogs don’t strive to please anyone and are used to acting independently.

Common Behavior Problems

Golden retrievers are prone to separation anxiety because they are very devoted, loyal dogs who prefer to be in company.

Phobias, pulling on the leash, jumping on people, and destructive behavior including chewing, digging, and barking are other common issues.

The most widespread Great Pyrenees behavior issue is stubbornness. These dogs often ignore commands in favor of resting. Other Great Pyrenees behavior problems include excessive barking and overprotectiveness.

Exercise Needs

The energy level is a significant point to consider when choosing a dog breed. Golden retrievers are hunting dogs with immense stamina. They need at least an hour of exercise daily to remain healthy and prevent the development of behavior problems.

The Great Pyrenees are better suited for busy people who don’t have so much time to walk with a dog. They need about 20-30 minutes of walking or playing daily. The Great Pyrenees prefer cool weather for walks.

Grooming Needs

Golden retrievers and Great Pyrenees are hairy dogs that require a lot of upkeep to maintain the beauty and health of their coats. They need daily brushing and regular bathing.

How often to bathe the Great Pyrenees or golden retriever depends on the dog’s lifestyle. Bathing once in six weeks is sufficient for dogs mostly walking in the backyard, whereas dogs that love to swim or roll in mud need a bath more often.

Shaving isn’t a solution to shedding and tangling because it may permanently damage the golden retriever or Great Pyrenees coat. These dogs don’t need haircuts but only light trimming.

Lifespan

The lifespan of golden retrievers and the Great Pyrenees is approximately the same, 10-12 years. That’s standard for medium to large dog breeds.

Health Issues

Golden retrievers are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer (the most common cause of death among dogs of the breed), obesity, thyroid disorders, progressive retinal atrophy, separation anxiety, and ear infections because of their ear anatomy and love for swimming.

The Great Pyrenees are prone to skin problems, cataracts, chondrodysplasia, osteochondrosis, bone cancer, hip dysplasia, obesity, and digestive disorders.

Many of these health conditions can be avoided with genetic screening. When choosing a puppy, request the breeder to provide you with health clearances for the puppy, sire, and dam.

Price

Golden retrievers and the Great Pyrenees lie within the same price range. A puppy with a complete document package from a reputable breeder usually costs $1,000-$2,500, but show-quality puppies may cost $3,000 and upwards.

Some golden retriever and Great Pyrenees puppies are available for $300, but they are usually sold by backyard breeders without documents and health clearances. Rescue golden retrievers and Great Pyrenees are priced for $500 and under.

Suitability for Inexperienced Dog Owners

No dog is perfect, but some are easier to handle than others for inexperienced owners. A golden retriever is an excellent choice for a first-time dog owner because of its even-tempered nature and obedience.

However, the owner must be willing to invest time into exercising and grooming the dog. Canine specialists don’t recommend Great Pyrenees for first-time owners because these dogs aren’t responsive to training.

They require an individual approach, and people without experience may quickly get frustrated by the dog’s stubbornness. However, if you’re aware of potential challenges and are patient enough, Great Pyrenees is not the worst option.

Suitability for Apartments

Golden retrievers don’t mind living in an apartment as long as their favorite human is around. However, the apartment should be within walking distance from a park, stadium, or another place where the dog can run freely.

The Great Pyrenees will happily spend their lives on a couch, so they don’t need much space despite their enormous size. The pitfall of keeping a Great Pyrenees in an apartment is excessive vocalization that may lead to arguments with neighbors.

Suitability as Service Dogs

Golden retrievers are the best service dogs. They have an optimal size – large enough to support the owner when they feel dizzy, push a wheelchair, or carry groceries and small enough to travel on board with some airlines.

Goldens are obedient, eager to please, loyal, and very social. They won’t be aggressive towards strangers or scare someone with loud barking.

The Great Pyrenees can be trained to help impaired owners, but they aren’t born for this purpose. They are way too loud and stubborn. Furthermore, these dogs get tired quickly and won’t walk around the entire town.

Suitability as Guard or Protection Dogs

Golden retrievers are protective of their owners but make poor guard dogs because they are too friendly with strangers and rarely bark. They need to live indoors, together with the family.

Guarding property is what Great Pyrenees do best. They are suitable for living outdoors, even in a cold climate, and are aloof with strangers. They can act independently when they sense danger, not waiting for the owner’s command.

Suitability as Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs must be intelligent, obedient, energetic, and eager to please.

Golden retrievers fit this description, but Great Pyrenees aren’t sporting dogs.

Rarity

Golden retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. and globally.

The Great Pyrenees aren’t particularly rare, but they aren’t as widespread either because not everyone can handle their temperament, and many are intimidated by their size.

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