What is the difference between a English Springer Spaniel and a Great Pyrenees?

The English Springer Spaniel is 40–50 lbs, 19–20 in sized while the Great Pyrenees is 85–160 lbs, 25–32 in sized. They differ in size (40–50 lbs, 19–20 in vs 85–160 lbs, 25–32 in), lifespan (12–14 years vs 10–12 years), and care requirements.

Which breed is better with kids, English Springer Spaniel or Great Pyrenees?

English Springer Spaniel is generally good with kids. Great Pyrenees is generally good with kids.

Which breed lives longer, English Springer Spaniel or Great Pyrenees?

The English Springer Spaniel has a lifespan of 12–14 years while the Great Pyrenees has a lifespan of 10–12 years.

English Springer Spaniel vs Great Pyrenees — Breed Comparison

About the English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel — named for its ability to "spring" game birds into flight — is a medium-sized sporting dog with centuries of British hunting heritage. Standing 19–20 inches tall and weighing 40–50 pounds, these well-proportioned dogs have a moderately long coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and belly, typically in liver and white or black and white patterns. They are the tallest of the British spaniels and are built for a full day of tireless work in the field.

Temperament & Personality

English Springer Spaniels are enthusiastic, cheerful dogs that approach life with boundless energy and a perpetually wagging tail. They adore their families and are particularly wonderful with children — playful enough for games yet gentle enough for quiet companionship. Their eagerness to please and quick intelligence make them highly trainable, though their exuberance can sometimes outpace their obedience.

Pros

Tireless outdoor companion — ideal for hikers, runners, and active families
Highly trainable and eager to please — excel in obedience, agility, and tracking
Friendly and sociable with people, children, and other dogs
Dual-purpose breed — equally capable as a working gun dog and loving family pet

Cons

High energy demands — needs 1–2 hours of vigorous exercise daily to prevent restlessness
Prone to ear infections due to pendulous ears that trap moisture and debris
Susceptible to progressive retinal atrophy and phosphofructokinase deficiency
Some field-bred lines display "rage syndrome" — sudden aggression linked to specific bloodlines

An energetic, loving Springer Spaniel could be your perfect adventure partner — search adoptable dogs on Puplister.

About the Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees — named for the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain where they guarded flocks for centuries — is a majestic, powerful livestock guardian with roots stretching back thousands of years to ancient Asia Minor. Standing 25–32 inches tall and weighing 85–115 pounds, these imposing dogs wear a thick, weather-resistant double coat that is predominantly white, sometimes with markings of badger, gray, reddish-brown, or tan. Their calm, regal bearing and abundant white coat give them an almost bear-like appearance that commands respect.

Temperament & Personality

Great Pyrenees are independent, patient, and serenely confident — bred for millennia to make their own decisions while guarding flocks without human direction. They are gentle and affectionate with their families, particularly protective of children, whom they tend to view as part of their "flock." However, their independent guardian nature means they are not eager-to-please dogs — they will consider your commands and decide whether compliance serves their protective mission.

Pros

Exceptional livestock and property guardian — naturally protective without aggression training
Gentle and patient with children — instinctively nurturing toward young family members
Calm, low-energy indoors — content to rest and observe during the day
Thick coat insulates against both extreme cold and moderate heat

Cons

Notorious wanderers — will roam far from home if not contained by secure fencing
Heavy nocturnal barking — bred to bark at predators through the night, which disturbs neighbors
Extremely independent and stubborn — among the most difficult breeds to obedience train
Massive shedding — the thick undercoat blows seasonally and produces enormous quantities of loose fur

If you have the space and patience for a noble guardian, find Great Pyrenees on Puplister today.

English Springer Spaniel vs Great Pyrenees