Breed Comparison: Doberman Pinscher Versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Doberman Pinscher and for the Pyrenean Shepherd. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Doberman Pinscher or the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Pyrenean Shepherd is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Pyrenean Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Pyrenean Shepherd based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd

FactorDoberman PinscherPyrenean Shepherd
Tolerates Cold Weather1/54/5
Dog Friendly1/52/5
General Health1/52/5
Low Prey Drive5/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/51/5
Life Span10 to 13 years15 to 17 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Height24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/55/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/53/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight60 to 80 pounds25 to 30 pounds
Average Lifespan11.5 years16.0 years
Average Price$1910No Data
Price Range$1100 – $2500No Data
Temperament Score79.5 percent75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds15179
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Pyrenean Shepherd. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Pyrenean Shepherd. So, you should get a Doberman Pinscher!

    Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most different:

  • Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Pyrenean Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Pyrenean Shepherds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Pyrenean Shepherds do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Pyrenean Shepherd weighs 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. The Pyrenean Shepherd is 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Doberman Pinscher versus Size of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Pyrenean Shepherd is between 15 to 17 years. The average lifespan of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 16.0 years.

    The Pyrenean Shepherd live longer than the Doberman Pinscher.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Temperament of the Pyrenean Shepherd Versus the Doberman Pinscher

    The Doberman Pinscher has a better temperament than the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 percent while the temperament score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 75.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Pyrenean Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 4 Pyrenean Shepherds.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Doberman Pinscher

    Popularity of Doberman Pinscher

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Year Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank
    2013 12 169
    2014 14 178
    2015 14 176
    2016 15 176
    2017 16 180
    2018 17 181
    2019 19 182
    2020 18 182
    2021 16 192

    Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Doberman Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 5 tests are recommended for the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Pyrenean Shepherds.

    Doberman Pinscher Health Problems

    Doberman Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Doberman Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Doberman Pinschers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers here.

    Pyrenean Shepherd Health Problems

    Pyrenean Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pyrenean Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Pyrenean Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pyrenean Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pyrenean Shepherds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pyrenean Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Doberman Pinschers and Pyrenean Shepherds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Doberman Pinscher Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    This is because the Doberman Pinscher ranks 1 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 562 Doberman Pinschers, 37 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Doberman Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in Doberman Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 1 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 40 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 45 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 53 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 75 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 133 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 147 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pyrenean Shepherd Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Pyrenean Shepherd ranks 24 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 79 Pyrenean Shepherds, 4 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pyrenean Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Pyrenean Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 24 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 27 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 44 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 71 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 72 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Doberman Pinscher and in Pyrenean Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd:

    Disease Doberman Pinscher Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Rank
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems 1 out of 3 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 1 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 26 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 26 out of 159 dog breeds 27 out of 159 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 40 out of 49 dog breeds 24 out of 49 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 45 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 53 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 75 out of 182 dog breeds 44 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 133 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 147 out of 198 dog breeds 71 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 72 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Pyrenean Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Pyrenean Shepherd

    Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the Pyrenean Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:

    Doberman Pinscher versus Australian Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Pomsky     Doberman Pinscher versus Bolognese     Doberman Pinscher versus Chow Chow     Doberman Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Cocker Spaniel     Doberman Pinscher versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Doberman Pinscher versus Cairn Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Toy Fox Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Bernedoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Chinook     Doberman Pinscher versus Bracco Italiano     Doberman Pinscher versus Lakeland Terrier     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Pyrenean Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.