Comparison: Bernese Mountain Dog and Great Pyrenees

Bernese Mountain Dog and Great Pyrenees are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Bernese Mountain Dog
Photo: Arnaudandko, CC BY 4.0, source
Great Pyrenees
Photo: HeartSpoon, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Bernese Mountain DogGreat Pyrenees
FCI group2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Country of originSwitzerlandFrance
CategoryLargeGiant
Height at withers58–70 cm65–80 cm
Weight34–50 kg40–60 kg
Life span7–10 years10–12 years
Recognition features
  • Tricolour coat: black, rust and white
  • White blaze and white cross on the chest
  • Long, soft, slightly wavy coat
  • Thick white coat, sometimes with cream marks
  • Massive build with calm expression
  • Double hind dewclaws
CoatLong, shiny coat, slightly wavy; tricolour.Long dense white coat with undercoat.
PurposeA Swiss farm dog that guarded homesteads, drove cattle and pulled milk carts.A livestock guardian from the Pyrenees that protected flocks from bears and wolves.

Breed page: Bernese Mountain Dog · Breed page: Great Pyrenees

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.