Differences and Similarities between the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

Last Updated: Mar 09, 2022

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Border Collie Versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff? 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 Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Border Collie and for the Pyrenean Mastiff. 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 Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

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

Note that the border collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth-coat border collie and the rough-coat border collie. Read our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.

Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.

Finally, just like the border collie, the collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough collie and the smooth collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.

Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff

Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Pyrenean Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Border Collie 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.

On the other hand, the Pyrenean Mastiff 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.

Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Border Collie to the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff

Factor Border Collie Pyrenean Mastiff
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 13 years
Height 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 31 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 30 to 45 pounds 130 to 200 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1000 No Data
Price Range $600 – $1250 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Congenital Deafness
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination, recommended annually until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
  • Shoulders
  • TNS Info
  • Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Border Collie 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 Mastiff. 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 Border Collie is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pyrenean Mastiff is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Border Collie is a better pet than the Pyrenean Mastiff. So, you should get a Border Collie!

    Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are most different:

  • Border Collies do not like to be left alone. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Border Collies do not have the tendency to drool. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Border Collies are very friendly towards strangers. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff

    The Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are most similar:

  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

    Border Collies weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Border Collies are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pyrenean Mastiffs weigh 130 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Mastiffs are 24 to 31 inches when fully grown.

    Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.

    Lifespan of Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    The lifespan of Border Collies is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Border Collies is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Pyrenean Mastiffs is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Pyrenean Mastiffs is 11.5 years.

    Border Collies live longer than Pyrenean Mastiffs.

    Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.

    Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff
    Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    Border Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Border Collies shed more than Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Border Collies shed moderately.

    Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Border Collies, and on how to groom a Border Collie

    Pyrenean Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Border Collies are moderately easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a Border Collie, check out our article on how to groom a Border Collie.

    Learn more on how to take care of a Border Collie here.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Border Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Border Collie make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about Border Collie temperament here.

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

    Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Border Collies are very easy to train.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Pyrenean Mastiff

    Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs 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.

    Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Pyrenean Mastiff

    Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    Border Collie versus Bluetick Coonhound     Border Collie versus Newfoundland     Border Collie versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Border Collie versus Chihuahua     Border Collie versus Sealyham Terrier     Border Collie versus English Springer Spaniel     Border Collie versus American Foxhound     Border Collie versus Weimaraner     Border Collie versus Komondor     Border Collie versus Miniature Pinscher     Border Collie versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Border Collie versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Border Collie versus Frenchton     Border Collie versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Border Collie versus Schnoodle     Border Collie versus Mastiff     Border Collie versus Dachshund     

    Conclusion: Border Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff. 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 Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mastiff better suits you and your family.