Is the Great Pyrenees or the Tibetan 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 socialization.

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

The Great Pyrenees and Tibetan Mastiff shed a similar amount (very high).

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

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

Is Great Pyrenees or Tibetan Mastiff bigger?

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

Which barks more, Great Pyrenees or Tibetan Mastiff?

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

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

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

Great Pyrenees vs Tibetan Mastiff: Easier to Groom?

Great Pyrenees vs Tibetan Mastiff: full comparison

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

Size and living space

The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed that requires real space: bigger rooms, a bigger car and a bigger food budget. By comparison, the Tibetan Mastiff is a giant breed that requires real space: bigger rooms, a bigger car and a bigger food budget. 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 Tibetan 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 heavily year-round and needs frequent vacuuming to keep up. The Tibetan Mastiff is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds heavily year-round and needs frequent vacuuming to keep up. 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 needs a bit of persistence but comes along with consistency, is very vocal and barks readily — something to weigh if you have close neighbors and is very good with children and makes a dependable family dog. The Tibetan Mastiff has a stubborn streak that calls for patience and know-how, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and is generally good with children when socialized and supervised. On guarding instinct, Great Pyrenees carries a powerful guarding instinct, whereas Tibetan Mastiff carries a powerful guarding instinct.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Tibetan 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, Great Pyrenees has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Tibetan Mastiff has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Great Pyrenees and Tibetan Mastiff are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Great Pyrenees if you want the more child-friendly companion, you want an easier dog to train, or you want a more outgoing, sociable dog.

Choose the Tibetan Mastiff if you prefer a quieter dog.

Not sure which breed is right for you?

Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.

Find your perfect match

Frequently asked questions

Is the Great Pyrenees or the Tibetan 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 socialization.
Which sheds more, the Great Pyrenees or the Tibetan Mastiff?: The Great Pyrenees and Tibetan Mastiff shed a similar amount (very high).
Which is easier to train, the Great Pyrenees or the Tibetan Mastiff?: The Great Pyrenees is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Great Pyrenees or Tibetan Mastiff bigger?: Great Pyrenees and Tibetan Mastiff are a similar size (Giant).
Which barks more, Great Pyrenees or Tibetan Mastiff?: Great Pyrenees tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Tibetan Mastiff is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Great Pyrenees or Tibetan Mastiff?: For apartment or apartment living, Tibetan Mastiff has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Great Pyrenees vs Tibetan Mastiff