Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - What's The Difference?

It’s an indisputable fact that dogs are the most favorite pets amongst most people.

This can be attributed to their loyal nature, tendency to please their owner, and loving personality, making it hard not to fall in love with them.

When it comes to adopting a dog as your companion, two breeds usually stand out the Polish Tatra Sheep Dog Vs Great Pyrenees.

These two dog breeds are characteristically thrilling, making it hard for most potential dog parents to choose between them.

So, whether you are a veteran dog owner or you simply cannot choose between the charm of the polish Tatra sheepdog vs the great Pyrenees, I’m here to help you make an intelligent decision.

I help you understand in-depth the breed information of these 2 dog breeds and the main differences that set these two canine companions apart.

I’m optimistic that you will be able to decide which dog suits your needs by the end of this article.

So, let’s dive in!

Attributes	Polish Tatra	Great Pyrenees
Good For First Time Owners	No	No
Good Guard Dog	Yes	Yes
Apartment Friendly	No	No
Good Family Dog	Yes	Yes
Shedding	Moderate to High	Moderate
Barking And Howling	Moderate To High	Moderate to High
Height	24-28 inches (61-71 cm)	25-32 inches (63-81 cm)
Average Life Expectancy	10-12 Years	10-12 Years

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Contents show

Polish Tatra Sheep Dog – Dog Breed Information

*Polish Tatra Sheepdog by* Svenfischer (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Polish Tatra sheepdog has unmatchable alertness coupled with an instinct to be a guardian dog (more of a sheep shepherd).

These calm and quiet white-furred dogs can easily be mistaken not to be industrious, but in the real sense, they are known to be versatile when it comes to their laid-out job description.

They diligently guard a herd of sheep or livestock and won’t back down on a challenge to push a cart or help a mountain trekker.

A Brief History Of Their Origin

Known as Polski Owczarek Podhalanski in the native Polish language, these guardian dogs are believed to have originated from the Tatra Mountains of Poland several centuries ago.

These dogs are descendants of the Mastiff (a breed of large and powerful dogs).

The Polish natives bred these canines to herd and guard livestock under extreme environmental conditions.

During the Communist regime in Poland around 1952, these workaholic dogs almost went into extinction.

Efforts put into place to preserve these industrious dog breeds by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) saw the breed preserved.

By around 1980, the Tatras had already been introduced to Canada and America, and in 1995 the United Kennel club acknowledged the Tatras in their registry.

Lifespan

These hounds can live for 10-12 years.

However, common medical conditions like allergic dermatitis, epilepsy, and Atrioventricular Valvular Insufficiency may reduce the lifespan of these over-achiever canines.

Physical Attributes

Polish Tatra Sheepdog Puppy by kennel Chosna (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Coat Hair And Color

They are typically white in color. Their thick double-layered coat is usually wavy in pattern and helps them withstand the extreme weather temperatures where these dogs inhabit.

They also have lots of hair on their legs and tail.

Specific Body Parts Appearance

Growing to a height of 24-28 inches and weighing 79-130 pounds, these dog breeds have a long and pronounced muzzle with a slightly doom-shaped skull.

Their dark eyes are slightly slanted, giving these dogs a characteristic expressive look. Their lightweight hanging ears are triangular in shape with rounded tips.

The nose is typically black, just like their generally white coat.

Temperament

These dog breeds are famous for their high intelligence and independent spirit.

They are non-aggressive to kids, and other household pets around them (so long as they have been socialized adequately) and naturally won’t mind protecting them as their own.

They can be pretty territorial when it comes to a stranger, and they will not mind barking out loud to notify you that someone new is around your property.

It’s important to note that these menial canines need ample space to use up their energy and exercise, thus making them not to be apartment friendly.

Also, it’s not recommended that you get yourself this easy-to-love dog breed if you are a first-time dog owner, as it requires an experienced dog owner to handle these hounds.

However, suppose you cannot resist the urge to adopt this dog breed.

In that case, it is advisable that you hire the services of a professional dog trainer and let them help you shape your lifetime companion’s personality.

Great Pyrenees – Dog Breed Information

Also known as the Patou in France and nicknamed Pyrs in some countries, the Great Pyrenees is a livestock guardian dog known for its calm and polite nature and its commitment to its family.

During World War II, these dogs played an essential role in bringing artillery supplies over the Pyrenean border (border between Spain and France), making them a popular breed to own either as a guard dog or a household pet.

A Brief History Of These Highly Intelligent Dogs

The great Pyrenees are named after the Mountains of their origin, the Pyrenean mountains.

This dog breed is believed to have evolved from the white Mountain dogs found in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) around 1800 B.C -100 B.C(the bronze age).

These canines gained popularity among the French nobles to the extent that King Louis XIV’s royal court declared them the royal dog of France around the 17th century.

This mountain dog was first introduced into America in1824 by a known French military officer known as Marquis de Lafayette, who wanted to gift his friend J.S Skinner this fine Pyrenean Mountain dog.