Great Dane vs. Great Pyrenees: Which is Better With Kids?

Selecting the right dog for your family with kids is exciting, but also overwhelming. There are many great dog breeds out there, but parents usually check out factors like temperament, size, grooming, needs, and compatibility with children. Among many breeds, these two gentle giants, the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees, stand out for families who like large breed dogs with loyal and kind personalities.

But which one will be a true great family pet? Are they better for young kids or more patient with toddlers? These questions are crucial while bringing home a new furry member that will become a part of your family and not just be a pet.

In this detailed guide, let’s take you through a deep comparison of the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees, keeping the focus on how each of these breeds acts towards children.

Size and Weight: Great Pyrenees vs. Great Dane

When comparing these two large-breed dogs, they both stand out for their giant size, but they’re a bit different in physical appearance and structure. If you’re getting a dog for your family, according to their size and compatibility with children, then this feature matters more than you can even think.

Great Danes are also called gentle giants and are one of the tallest dog breeds around the world. Male Danes weigh between 140-175 pounds and stand 30-34 inches tall at the shoulder. They’ve a muscular build makes them look intimidating, but their affectionate and laid-back nature makes them unknowingly easy to live with.

Secondly, Great Pyrenees are a bit shorter but strong. As per AKC, they’re generally 25-32 inches tall and weigh around 85-160 pounds. They have a large dog appearance because of their thick double coat and broad body, which is more rugged than a Dane’s.

Both of these breeds need space to roam freely, due to their large size. A home with an open area or a backyard is perfect for raising these dogs, especially around children.

But still, parents should always take care of their kids when these big dogs are playing just for the safe side, because they might knock down a young child unintentionally while being excited.

Personality and Temperament

When we talk about their personality, both the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees are known for being the greatest dogs with a calm and affectionate nature. They express their love and loyalty in unique ways as they’re among the loyal dog breeds. It is necessary to understand how each dog breed behaves when deciding which one is better with kids.

Great Danes are also called “Peter Pan dogs” because they always stay playful and have a puppy-like mindset. Regardless of their frightening size, they’re very sweet dogs and love being a part of the family. They are very emotionally sensitive and demand human attention, which makes them perfect for households that offer consistent companionship.

On the other hand, Great Pyrenees have a reserved and more independent nature as they were first bred as a guard dog breed for livestock, so they are naturally calm, loyal, and protective, especially with children they see as part of the family. However, they need early socialization to get used to new people and avoid excessive barking.

If your family is looking for an affectionate and clingy family pet, then the Great Dane might be your choice, but if you’re looking for a great guard dog that’s calm and protective, then the Great Pyrenees stands tall for you.

Trainability and Intelligence

Both of these are very intelligent, but their way to get trained is very different, especially when you are raising them around young kids or in a busy family environment.

Great Danes have a very eager-to-please nature, which makes them comparatively easy to train, especially when you train them at a young age.

They enjoy being with a calm and confident owner within a positive environment. If you guide them right, a Great Dane can learn to be obedient and very well-mannered around children and other pets.

Therefore, the Great Pyrenees has a bit more of an independent approach. They’re more likely to think for themselves, which is a trait that developed from centuries of guarding livestock without human supervision.

It is said that they’re very capable learners when the training is done respectfully and consistently. Socialize them early so that they can get comfortable with strangers, other dogs, and children.

If you are raising a dog in a house full of young kids or you are a first-time dog owner, the Great Dane’s obedient nature will be easier to manage. Whereas, experienced dog owners who love a protective personality with some independence might choose the Great Pyrenees.

Energy Levels, Activity, and Playfulness

It is necessary to consider the energy levels, playfulness, and activity needs of the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees when you are choosing a dog for a household with kids, toddlers, and other pets.

Great Danes are not lazy but surprisingly laid-back for their size. They love daily walks and quick playtimes with young kids who can match their energy level. They have a very playful, goofy personality, which makes them perfect for games of fetch or just simply running around the yard.

On the other side, Great Pyrenees have a comparatively low energy level, but a strong work ethic. As they don’t crave play in the same way as a Dane, because they were first bred to watch, guard, and stand on the ground even at night. They are more likely to roam around and explore, especially in large outdoor spaces, and enjoy physical activities and long walks.

If your home remains quiet and you need a dog that is content to guard and roam around the yard peacefully, the Great Pyrenees is a great match for you, but if your house is full of energetic kids, then a Great Dane may match the vibe better.

Diet and Weight Management

It’s not just satisfying a big meal while feeding a large breed dog like the Great Dane or Great Pyrenees, but it’s about managing their growth, their health, and their well-being. Nutrition is a very important part of these gentle giants’ development, especially when raised from a young age with children.

If you don’t feed the right diet to the Great Danes, it can put them at risk of joint and bone issues because they grow rapidly during puppyhood. It is not recommended to overfeed or give them high-calorie foods, because it can lead to long-term health issues. They can normally eat around 6 to 10 cups of high-quality food per day, which depends on their activity level and size.

Whereas the Great Pyrenees are slow in growth, they can gain weight easily if they don’t get enough exercise. These dogs were originally bred to act independently rather than engaging in constant activity, and this is why their metabolism is a bit slower than more active breeds. A healthy Pyrenees can eat 4 to 6 cups of food daily.

Despite the breed, the feeding schedules should be very regular, and the treats should be limited, especially while training the young dogs. While developing a proper feeding routine, you should consult a vet to support their growth and energy needs.

Health and Lifespan

When you are choosing between the great Dane versus the great Japanese, you should understand their potential health issues and their average lifespan, which is very necessary for families with young kids who hope to grow alongside their family pets.

Great Danes are very loving and playful, but unfortunately, they are one of the shortest-lived large breeds. According to WebMD, their average lifespan lies between 7 to 10 years, and their common health issues include hip dysplasia, bloat (gastric torsion), heart disease, and certain cancers. If you don’t manage them properly during their puppy stage, they are at risk of developing joint issues.

The Great Pyrenees are likely to live a slightly longer typically between 10 to 12 years. These dogs are tough and bred to work outdoors for long hours. PetMD mentions they are also liable to have health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and osteosarcoma. As they have a thick coat, they can have skin conditions or allergies if you don’t groom them regularly.

No matter what breed you choose, a clean house, high-quality food, active care, and early detection of health problems are very important to give your dog a full and happy life.

Bite Characteristics

Understanding white characteristics is very important, just like temperament issues, when choosing a dog for a family with young children. The Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees are not naturally aggressive dog breeds, but their large size and strong teeth mean that any accidental bite can create a risk, especially around children.

Great Danes don’t really bite, and unless they are provoked or they are in pain, they are known for their gentle and tolerant nature. Most of the incidents involving Danes don’t happen because of their aggression, but rather their clumsiness. Through early training, you can teach them proper boundaries while playing with a small child.

Great Pyrenees were initially bred as protective guard dogs with very strong guarding instincts and are likely to react if they get any threat to their family or home. Even though they’re not naturally aggressive, they do have a bite force comparable to other large dog breeds.

It is very necessary to teach children how they should respectfully interact with pets without pulling their ears or climbing on their backs. Just like that, proper training from a young age for both breeds can make them predictable and trustworthy around kids and other animals.

Allergies and Grooming Needs

If you are concerned about shedding around small children or if there is anyone in the household having pet allergies, then you should consider carefully when selecting a dog for a family.

Hill’s Pet says that the Great Danes are very low-maintenance and have a short, sleek coat. They don’t shed excessively, which makes them a nice choice for families concerned about pet hair. If you brush them weekly and keep their coat clean, then it can control minor shedding. They’re very clean dogs with a little bit of odor and less dander, which reduces the chance of allergic reactions.

The Great Pyrenees has a beautiful double coat made for harsh weather, also they shed heavily during different seasons. They need more grooming, ideally several times a week, because their thick fur can also trap dirt and allergens.

From a grooming point of view, the Great Dane is easy to manage because the Great Pyrenees needs more effort and tolerance for the mess. But if you are ready to commit to brushing, bathing, and regular grooming, then Pyrenees’s presence can become a lovable part of your daily life.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing between a Great Dane and a Great Pyrenees, it depends on your family’s lifestyle, energy, and parenting style. Both of these dog breeds are perfect in their own ways.

The Great Dane is a gentle, affectionate partner who loves human interaction and is loving with young children. Whereas the Great Pyrenees brings a protective presence to your home, it’s calm and patient with the toddlers and other pets.

Whichever breed you choose, both of them can serve as a wonderful family pet if you raise them with love, affection, and early socialization. They become a part of your family, your home, and your children’s world.