Great Pyrenees vs Hovawart
Compare Great Pyrenees and Hovawart side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Great Pyrenees
Hovawart
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
65 – 80 cm
58 – 70 cm
Weight
34 – 60 kg
25 – 50 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 12 years
10 – 14 years
Child friendly
5/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
3/5
4/5
Health
2/5
4/5
Grooming needs
4/5
2/5
Shedding
5/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
4/5
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Characteristics
Great Pyrenees
Great with kids
Super smart
Giant
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
Summary
About Great Pyrenees
Large, calm livestock guardian from the Pyrenees, the Great Pyrenees is a powerful white, heavy‑shedding dog with a thick coat and double dewclaws. Gentle yet strongly protective, it needs secure fencing, steady socialization, mental stimulation, and experienced, patient handling.
About Hovawart
Large, powerful German farm guardian with medium‑long weatherproof coat in black, black and tan or blond. Deeply loyal, calm and family‑focused, but reserved with strangers and strongly territorial. Intelligent, independent and late‑maturing, needing consistent training, mental work and ample exercise.
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