Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd"
Compare Leonberger and Spanish Mastiff. Which is better: Leonberger or Spanish Mastiff or Pyrenean Shepherd?
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| Name | Leonberger | Spanish Mastiff | Pyrenean Shepherd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany |  Spain |  France |
| Group | Working Dogs | Guard Dogs | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
| Popularity Rank | 100 | 203 | 180 |
| Reviews | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rate |
| Other Names | Leo, Gentle Lion, Gentle Giant, Leonbergi | Mastín Español, Mastín de España, Mastin de la Mancha, Mastin de Extremadura, Mastin de Leon | Berger Des Pyrénées, Petit Berger, Pyrenees Sheepdog, Pyr Shep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
| AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010 as a Working breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2009 as a Herding 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 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. |
| 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. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club | American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club American Rare Breed Association Foundation Stock Service | American Kennel Club Continental Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain United Kennel Club |
| Price | $1500-$2000 | $600-$800 | $500-$800 |
General Appearance - Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd
| Size | Giant | Giant | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Male: 130-170 pounds (59-77 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg) | Male: 185-220 pounds (90-100 kg), Female: 145-170 pounds (52-77 kg) | 15–32 pounds (7–15 kg) |
| Avg. Weight | Male: 150 pounds (68 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg) | Male: 202.5 pounds (95 kg), Female: 157.5 pounds (64.5 kg) | 15–32 pounds (7–15 kg) |
| Height | Male: 29-31 inches (74-80 cm), Female: 27-29 inches (61-74 cm) | 28-35 inches (72-88 cm) | 15.5-18.5 inches (39-47 cm) |
| Avg. Height | Male: 30 inches (77 cm), Female: 28 inches (67.5 cm) | 31.5 inches (80 cm) | 15.5-18.5 inches (43 cm) |
Hair & Care - Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd
| Coat | Waterproof | Dense Thick Straight | Rough Smooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Red Sandy Reddish Brown Yellow Mahogany | Fawn Yellow Brindle Sable Black | Fawn White Brindle Gray Black |
| Grooming | Average: The Leonberger requires average grooming effort. | Easy to groom: The Spanish Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Average: The Pyrenean Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Shedding Level | Leonbergers are heavy shedders. | Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately. | Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd
| Temperament | Adaptable Fearless Loyal Companionable Loving Obedient | Affectionate Intelligent Selfish Determined Noble | Bossy Dedicated Trainable Clever Energetic Watchful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank | Average: Leonberger's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Spanish Mastiff's has average obedience intelligence. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. |
| Trainability | Leonbergers are quite easy to train. | Spanish Mastiffs are quite easy to train. | Pyrenean Shepherds are quite easy to train. |
| Playfulness | The Leonberger is a playful breed. | Spanish Mastiffs, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Pyrenean Shepherd is a playful breed. |
| 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 | Leonbergers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Spanish Mastiffs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Pyrenean Shepherds are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs | Leonbergers need a lot of social interaction. | Spanish Mastiffs need for social interaction is average. | Pyrenean Shepherds need for social interaction is average. |
| Barking | Low: The Leonberger barks none to minimal. | Low to Average: The Spanish Mastiff rarely barks. | High: The Pyrenean Shepherd is a very vocal breed. |
| Watchdog Ability | Leonbergers are one of the best watchdogs. | Spanish Mastiffs are good watchdogs. | Pyrenean Shepherds are good watchdogs. |
| Territorial | Leonbergers are extremely protective guard dogs. | Spanish Mastiffs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Pyrenean Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential |
Low The Leonberger has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Spanish Mastiff has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Pyrenean Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness | Leonbergers have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Spanish Mastiffs have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Pyrenean Shepherds have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | Leonbergers tend to escape less than other breeds. | Spanish Mastiffs have average wanderlust potential. | Pyrenean Shepherds tend to escape less than other breeds. |
| Prey Drive | Leonbergers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Spanish Mastiffs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Pyrenean Shepherds have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
| Apartment Friendly | Leonbergers are not apartment-friendly dogs. | Spanish Mastiffs are not apartment-friendly dogs. | Pyrenean Shepherds are apartment-friendly dogs. |
| Adaptability | Leonbergers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. | Spanish Mastiffs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. | Pyrenean Shepherds don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | Leonbergers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | 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 - Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd
| Stranger Friendly | Leonbergers are average friendly towards strangers. | Spanish Mastiffs are average friendly towards strangers. | Pyrenean Shepherds are not the most stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Friendly | Leonbergers are very kid-friendly dogs. | Spanish Mastiffs are kid-friendly dogs. | Pyrenean Shepherds are kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly | Leonbergers are average friendly towards cats. | Spanish Mastiffs are average friendly towards cats. | Pyrenean Shepherds are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly | Leonbergers are dog-friendly dogs. | Spanish Mastiffs are average friendly towards other dogs. | Pyrenean Shepherds are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Office Friendly |
No Leonberger is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Spanish Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Pyrenean Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | Leonbergers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Spanish Mastiffs are usually recommended for elderly people. | Pyrenean Shepherds are usually recommended for elderly people. |
| Pet Friendly | Leonbergers are generally with other pets. | Spanish Mastiffs are generally with other pets. | Pyrenean Shepherds are generally with other pets. |
| Good For First Time Owners |
No Leonbergers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Spanish Mastiffs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Pyrenean Shepherds 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. |
Not really This breed generally not used 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 Leonberger breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Spanish Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Pyrenean Shepherd 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. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd
| Health Issues | Leonbergers tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | Spanish Mastiffs tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | Pyrenean Shepherds tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Problems | Addison's Disease Bloat Cancer Ectropion Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Eosinophilic Panosteitis Hip Dysplasia Inherited Polyneuropathy | Bloat Cancer Dental Problems Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Heart Problems Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Joint Dysplasia Obesity Panosteitis | Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Patent Ductus Arteriosis Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) |
| Life Expectancy | 8-10 years | 10-12 years | 15-17 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
| Energy Level | Leonbergers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Spanish Mastiffs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Pyrenean Shepherds have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
| Exercise Need | Leonbergers need quite a lot of exercise. | Spanish Mastiffs have an average exercise need. | Pyrenean Shepherds need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need | Leonbergers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. | Spanish Mastiffs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Pyrenean Shepherds 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 | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals | 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential | Average to High. | High: The Spanish Mastiff breed has a strong tendency to overweight. | Average. |
| Weather & Climate |
Prefers cold weather The Leonberger can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Pyrenean Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
| Stinkiness |
Medium The Leonberger has an average chance of bad smell. |
High The Spanish Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Pyrenean Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency | The Leonberger is an average drooler. | The Spanish Mastiff drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The Pyrenean Shepherd is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Leonberger vs Spanish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Shepherd
| 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 | 6-8 puppies | 3-6 puppies | 4 puppies |
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