Great Pyrenees vs American Bulldog
Compare the Great Pyrenees to the American Bulldog. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Great Pyrenees and American Bulldogs.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Neither the American Bulldog or the Great Pyrenees are ideal for new owners, but the Great Pyrenees is strongly discouraged for new or inexperienced owners.
- Children - Both the Great Pyrenees and American Bulldog are great with children.
- Grooming - Both breeds have low maintenance coats, but the American Bulldog is easier to groom.
- Barking - The Great Pyrenees bark/howls frequently. The American Bulldog has an average level of barking.
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| Breed Name | Great Pyrenees | American Bulldog |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | Yes | No |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-16 yrs. |
| Height | 25-32 in. | 20-28 in. |
| Weight | 85-160 lb | 60-120 lb |
| Intelligence | Average | Below Average |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | Spain | United States |
| Origin Year | 3000 BC | 1700 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | No | Yes |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Medium Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Large Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 0°F to 85°F | 55°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | Low-Medium | High |
| Exercise Required | Low | Medium |
| Top Running Speed | 25 mph | 23 mph |
| Strength | Very High | Very High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Medium | Low-Medium |
| Shedding | Medium | Medium |
| Dander | Medium | Medium |
| Drool Amount | Medium-High | Medium |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Great Pyrenees | American Bulldog |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | Yes | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | Yes | Yes |
| Average | No | No |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | Below Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Very Low | Below Average |
| Chasing | Below Average | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | Below Average | Below Average |
| Fighting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | High | Below Average |
| Herding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Hunting | Very Low | Average |
| Protection | Below Average | Below Average |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | Below Average |
| Sledding | Average | Average |
| Watch | High | Average |
| Breed Name | Great Pyrenees | American Bulldog |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-16 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Addison's Disease | Yes | No |
| Allergies | No | Yes |
| Bloat | Yes | No |
| Cancer | No | Yes |
| Cataracts | Yes | No |
| Cherry Eye | No | Yes |
| Drug Sensitivity | Yes | No |
| Ectropion | No | Yes |
| Elbow Dysplasia | Yes | Yes |
| Entropion | Yes | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | Yes | Yes |
| Patellar Luxation | Yes | No |
| Breed Name | Great Pyrenees | American Bulldog |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | No |
| Single Coat | No | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Long | Yes | No |
| Short | No | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| White | Yes | Yes |
| Black & White | No | Yes |
| Brindle | No | Yes |
| Red & White | No | Yes |
| Tan & White | No | Yes |
| White & Brindle | No | Yes |