Great Pyrenees vs Tosa
Side by side
Great Pyrenees
Tosa
Adult weight
55–75 kg (121–165 lb)1
Males 45–90 kg (99–198 lb); females 40–70 kg (88–154 lb) (breed club figure)2
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Sheds through the year
Grooming
Daily brushing
A brush once a week
Exercise
A modest amount
A moderate amount
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog
Which suits you
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Great Pyrenees moults most as the seasons change, the Tosa sheds through the year.
Grooming
The Great Pyrenees needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Tosa needs a brush once a week.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Tosa, and a modest amount with the Great Pyrenees.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Great Pyrenees: very vocal; Tosa: quiet) and on affection (Great Pyrenees: affectionate on its own terms; Tosa: likes its own space).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 65 kg (143 lb) for the Great Pyrenees and 61 kg (135 lb) for the Tosa.
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Great Pyrenees
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
Calm and patient with its own household, it is also independent, watchful and reserved with strangers, and known for barking at night.
Tosa
Pinschers & molossoids · Large
In temperament it is quiet, patient and steady, reserved with strangers, and brave rather than excitable.
Breed traits
Day to day
Great Pyrenees
Tosa
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Great Pyrenees
Tosa
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Great Pyrenees
Tosa
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Quiet
Prey drive
Differs
Usually fine with small pets
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 65 kg.
Great Pyrenees
Tosa
More comparisons
Compare the Great Pyrenees with
Sources
- 1The Kennel Club. Great Pyrenees breed standard. ↑
- 2American Kennel Club. Tosa breed page. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
- 7Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 8Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 9American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
Parts of this page were written by AI ·