Newfoundland vs Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees)

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

Newfoundland vs Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees) — at a glance

The Newfoundland (45–68 kg, 9–10 years) and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees) (38–60 kg, 10–12 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Both breeds have similar energy demands — Newfoundland tips slightly higher but neither is a couch dog.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	Newfoundland	Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees)
Group	Working	Working
Origin	Canada (Newfoundland)	France / Spain
Weight	45–68 kg	38–60 kg
Height	66–71 cm	65–82 cm
Lifespan	9–10 years	10–12 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Newfoundland

Temperament

Sweet, calm, patient, loyal. Newfoundlands bond closely with their family, are remarkably tolerant with children of all ages, and tend to get along with other animals.

Exercise

45–60 minutes of moderate daily exercise. Swimming is ideal — they're built for it (webbed feet, water-repellent coat). Avoid impact exercise in puppies.