Great Pyrenees vs Samoyed: Are They the ‘Big White Dog’?

1 Great Pyrenees vs Samoyed

1. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees, also called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, has a strong but not clumsy body, majestic and emperor-like. Its temperament is always confident, gentle and friendly, loyal and brave, and it holds its post in any climate. The Great Pyrenees traces back to ancient Rome, when Romans brought it to Spain to breed.

Its coat is white or predominantly white, mixed with gray and varying shades of tan. The double coat withstands any climate. Color is usually white or white with gray, reddish-brown or other muted tans, but mixed color should not exceed one third of the body.

2. Samoyed

The Samoyed, also called the Samoyed dog, was developed by the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia. Agile and flexible, with a cute, clever personality and striking looks, it is sturdy and known as the ‘smiling angel face, mischievous devil heart.’ Most Samoyeds are very active and naughty before age one.

The Samoyed is pure white; white with very pale tan or cream; overall light tan. Other colors are disqualifying. The Samoyed has no black; gray-and-white Samoyeds have appeared, which the FCI recognizes as an atavism of Samoyed genes, while black Samoyeds are relatively rare.

3. Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Samoyed

The Samoyed has Fox Spitz blood and a pointier muzzle. The Great Pyrenees has a rounder, thicker muzzle. Comparatively, the Samoyed’s muzzle is pointier and its whole face longer and more refined. The ears also differ: the Samoyed’s are erect, the Great Pyrenees’ are not. Meanwhile, the little Samoyed is also a gentle, enthusiastic dog called the ‘smiling angel,’ usually lively and cute, sometimes naughty. The Great Pyrenees, by contrast, is more steady, always conveying a kingly dignity and presence.

Tip: Click our guide on Samoyed temperament to learn more about the breed.