Comparison: Great Pyrenees and Leonberger

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

Great Pyrenees
Photo: HeartSpoon, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Leonberger
Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Great PyreneesLeonberger
FCI group2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Country of originFranceGermany
CategoryGiantGiant
Height at withers65–80 cm65–80 cm
Weight40–60 kg40–75 kg
Life span10–12 years8–9 years
Recognition features
  • Thick white coat, sometimes with cream marks
  • Massive build with calm expression
  • Double hind dewclaws
  • Lion-like mane, thick golden-red coat
  • Black mask and massive build
  • Webbed feet
CoatLong dense white coat with undercoat.Long dense water-resistant coat with undercoat; yellow to red-brown with a black mask.
PurposeA livestock guardian from the Pyrenees that protected flocks from bears and wolves.Created in the 1840s by Heinrich Essig of Leonberg as a ´lion´ from Saint Bernard, Newfoundland and Pyrenean stock.

Breed page: Great Pyrenees · Breed page: Leonberger

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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.