Is the Great Pyrenees or the Spanish Mastiff better for families with children?

The Great Pyrenees tends to be the more naturally child-friendly of the two, though both can do well in family homes with early socialisation.

Which sheds more, the Great Pyrenees or the Spanish Mastiff?

The Great Pyrenees sheds more than the Spanish Mastiff. If shedding is a concern, the Spanish Mastiff is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the Great Pyrenees or the Spanish Mastiff?

The Spanish Mastiff is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Great Pyrenees or Spanish Mastiff bigger?

Great Pyrenees and Spanish Mastiff are a similar size (Giant).

Which barks more, Great Pyrenees or Spanish Mastiff?

Great Pyrenees tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Spanish Mastiff is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Great Pyrenees or Spanish Mastiff?

For apartment or flat living, Spanish Mastiff has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Great Pyrenees vs Spanish Mastiff: Which Sheds Less?

Great Pyrenees vs Spanish Mastiff: full comparison

Trait	Great Pyrenees	Spanish Mastiff
Size	Giant	Very Large
Energy level	Low	Low
Trainability	Low	Medium
Friendliness	Medium	Medium
Good with children	High	Medium
Grooming needs	High	Medium
Shedding	Very High	High
Barking	Very High	High
Protectiveness	Very High	Very High
Adaptability	Low	Low
Typical lifespan	11 years	10 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. By comparison, the Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Great Pyrenees does well on one steady walk a day plus a little play. The Spanish Mastiff does well on one steady walk a day plus a little play. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Great Pyrenees needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds constantly and keeps the vacuum busy all year. The Spanish Mastiff needs regular brushing to stay in good condition and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Great Pyrenees takes a little persistence to train but responds to consistency, is very vocal and barks readily — something to weigh if you have close neighbours and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The Spanish Mastiff is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and usually does well with children given socialisation and supervision. On guarding instinct, Great Pyrenees carries a powerful guarding instinct, whereas Spanish Mastiff carries a powerful guarding instinct.

Which is better for…

For apartment or flat living, Spanish Mastiff has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Great Pyrenees has the edge, being the more naturally child-friendly and sociable of the two.
For first-time dog owners, Spanish Mastiff has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Spanish Mastiff has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Spanish Mastiff has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Great Pyrenees if you want the more child-friendly companion or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Spanish Mastiff if you want an easier dog to train, you prefer lower grooming upkeep, or you want less shedding around the home.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Great Pyrenees or the Spanish Mastiff better for families with children?: The Great Pyrenees tends to be the more naturally child-friendly of the two, though both can do well in family homes with early socialisation.
Which sheds more, the Great Pyrenees or the Spanish Mastiff?: The Great Pyrenees sheds more than the Spanish Mastiff. If shedding is a concern, the Spanish Mastiff is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the Great Pyrenees or the Spanish Mastiff?: The Spanish Mastiff is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Great Pyrenees or Spanish Mastiff bigger?: Great Pyrenees and Spanish Mastiff are a similar size (Giant).
Which barks more, Great Pyrenees or Spanish Mastiff?: Great Pyrenees tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Spanish Mastiff is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Great Pyrenees or Spanish Mastiff?: For apartment or flat living, Spanish Mastiff has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Great Pyrenees vs Spanish Mastiff