Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog" Compare Great Pyrenees and Maremma Sheepdog. Which is better: Great Pyrenees or Maremma Sheepdog or Bernese Mountain Dog?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Great Pyrenees	Maremma Sheepdog	Bernese Mountain Dog
Origins	Spain France	Italy	Switzerland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs)	Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs)	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	66	398	25
Reviews	1	2	3
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Other Names	Great Pyrenees, Patou, Chien Des Pyrénées, Chien De Montagne Des Pyrénées, Montañés Del Pirineo, Gos De Muntanya Dels Pirineus	Cane da Pastore, Maremmano-Abruzzese, Pastore Abruzzese, Pastore Maremmano, Abruzzo Sheepdog, Abruzzese Sheepdog, Maremma, Maremmano	Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog, Berner
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933 as a Working breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937 as a Working breed.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Swiss Mountain- and Cattledogs section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Continental Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry
Price	$500-$600	$600-$800	$800-$1000

General Appearance - Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog

Size	Giant	Large	Large
Weight	Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg)	Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg)	Male: 85-110 pounds (38–50 kg), Female: 80-105 pounds (36–48 kg)
Avg. Weight	Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg)	Male: 85 pounds (38.5 kg), Female: 70 pounds (31.5 kg)	Male: 97.5 pounds (38–50 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (36–48 kg)
Height	Male: 27-32 inches (69-81 cm), Female: 25-29 inches (63-74 cm)	24-29 inches (60-73 cm)	Male: 24-28 inches (61–71 cm), Female: 23-27 inches (58–69 cm)
Avg. Height	Male: 29.5 inches (75 cm), Female: 27 inches (68.5 cm)	26.5 inches (66.5 cm)	Male: 26 inches (61–71 cm), Female: 25 inches (58–69 cm)

Hair & Care - Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog

Coat	Dense Double	Rough Thick Double	Dense
Colors	White	White Yellow	White Black
Grooming	Average: The Great Pyrenees requires average grooming effort.	Average: The Maremma Sheepdog requires average grooming effort.	Average: The Bernese Mountain Dog requires average grooming effort.
Shedding Level	Great Pyreneess shed above average.	Maremma Sheepdogs shed moderately.	Bernese Mountain Dogs shed above average.

Characteristics - Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog

Temperament	Affectionate Fearless Patient Confident Gentle Strong Willed	Alert Dignified Intelligent Determined Friendly Loyal	Affectionate Intelligent Faithful Loyal
Intelligent Rank	Average: Great Pyrenees's has average obedience intelligence.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one.	Very smart: Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent dog breed.
Trainability	Great Pyreneess are easy to train.	Maremma Sheepdogs are quite easy to train.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are easy to train.
Playfulness	Great Pyreneess are not the most playful dog breed.	Maremma Sheepdogs, like any other dog breed, like playing.	Bernese Mountain Dogs, like any other dog breed, like playing.
Sensitivity Level	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
Affection Level	Great Pyreneess are average dogs regarding their affection level.	Maremma Sheepdogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level.
Social Needs	Great Pyreneess are a social breed.	Maremma Sheepdogs are a social breed.	Bernese Mountain Dogs need for social interaction is average.
Barking	Average to high: The Great Pyrenees is a vocal breed.	Low to Average: The Maremma Sheepdog rarely barks.	Average: The Bernese Mountain Dog barks occasionally.
Watchdog Ability	Great Pyreneess are one of the best watchdogs.	Maremma Sheepdogs are good watchdogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
Territorial	Great Pyreneess strongly protect their territory.	Maremma Sheepdogs strongly protect their territory.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Low The Great Pyrenees has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Maremma Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Bernese Mountain Dog has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Great Pyreneess have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Maremma Sheepdogs have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Great Pyreneess have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.	Maremma Sheepdogs are not the biggest explorers.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have average wanderlust potential.
Prey Drive	Great Pyreneess have a high impulse to chase and catch something.	Maremma Sheepdogs don't have an impulse to catch or chase small animals.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something.
Apartment Friendly	Great Pyreneess are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle.	Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle.
Adaptability	Great Pyreneess adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Maremma Sheepdogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	Bernese Mountain Dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Great Pyreneess do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Maremma Sheepdogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
Fighting Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog

Stranger Friendly	Great Pyreneess are average friendly towards strangers.	Maremma Sheepdogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly	Great Pyreneess are kid-friendly dogs.	Maremma Sheepdogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Great Pyreneess are cat-friendly dogs.	Maremma Sheepdogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly	Great Pyreneess are average friendly towards other dogs.	Maremma Sheepdogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Office Friendly	No Great Pyrenees is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Maremma Sheepdog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Bernese Mountain Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly	Great Pyreneess are usually recommended for elderly people.	Maremma Sheepdogs are usually recommended for elderly people.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are usually recommended for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Great Pyreneess are usually friendly towards other pets.	Maremma Sheepdogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally with other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Great Pyreneess are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Maremma Sheepdogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Bernese Mountain Dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Great Pyrenees breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Maremma Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Bernese Mountain Dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog

Health Issues	Great Pyreneess are commonly healthy dogs.	The Maremma Sheepdog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Very healthy dog breed.
Health Problems	Addison's Disease Bloat Cataracts Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation	Bloat Drug Sensitivity Hip Dysplasia Obesity Vaccination Sensitivity	Bloat Cancer Elbow Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia Panosteitis Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease
Life Expectancy	10-12 years	11-13 years	7-10 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	No	No	No
Energy Level	Great Pyreneess have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Maremma Sheepdogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Exercise Need	Great Pyreneess have an average exercise need.	Maremma Sheepdogs have an average exercise need.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need	Great Pyreneess don't need too much sleep.	Maremma Sheepdogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.
Avg. daily food consumption	8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High.	High: The Maremma Sheepdog breed has a strong tendency to overweight.	Average to High.
Weather & Climate	Prefers cold weather The Great Pyrenees can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.	Tolerates warm and cold weather.	Prefers cold weather The Bernese Mountain Dog can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	Medium The Great Pyrenees has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Maremma Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Bernese Mountain Dog has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Great Pyrenees is a perfect example for low drooling tendency.	The Maremma Sheepdog is an average drooler.	The Bernese Mountain Dog drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed.

Reproducibility - Great Pyrenees vs Maremma Sheepdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	6-9 puppies	5-9 puppies	1-14 puppies, average 8
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