All about the Pyrenees

—Is this the right dog for me?

The Great Pyrenees are from the mountain range lying between France and Spain. They were bred as guardian dogs for sheep and goats. They were used to guard farm animals from bears and wolves so it was important that they not only have stature but firmness. A Great Pyrenees should show no nervousness, be strong yet not aggressive and have a lovely temperament. The Great Pyrenees has a deep devotion to its family and home and also an inborn instinct to guard and protect.

The Great Pyrenees can grow to 85-100lbs for females and 100-120 pounds for males. This is an intelligent, gentle and protective breed that needs a large securely fenced area for sufficient exercise. They are independent guard animals that need plenty of love and attention from their families. As a working dog, they enjoy consistency and predictable schedules and quiet time. They were bred to work alone and can be somewhat stubborn but certainly trainable. They thrive on outdoor work, responsibility and companionship from their family.

The Great Pyrenees is a GREAT family dog! They are loyal and gentle and great with kids and other animals.

The Great Pyrenees has very few health issues! Keeping your Pyr at a very healthy weight will certainly help with hip dysplasia. A pyr should be on the lighter side rather than on the heavier side.

The Great Pyrenees are white or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown or varying shades of tan.

Key items to consider before purchasing a Great Pyrenees:

  • Great Pyrenees will end up being a large, very strong dog

  • The Great Pyrenees needs a large enclosure for exercise and someone who can walk them on a regular basis

  • The Great Pyrenees need consistent training so they know who is boss

  • The Great Pyrenees is not an ‘attack’ dog but as an owner you need to be responsible to train well and let the dog know what is acceptable behavior

  • The Great Pyrenees is a gentle giant who needs ‘work’ and mental stimulation. This dog is not meant to left alone all day. Left alone and bored = destruction!

  • The Great Pyrenees NEEDS to be socialized! It is very important to introduce your Great Pyrenees to as many animals, people and situations as possible.

  • The Great Pyrenees puppy is an adorable ball of irresistible fluff that will grow into a large, strong dog that needs to be trained and controlled. It’s owner must be able to manipulate the dog in the event of an emergency!

 

10 Incredible Great Pyrenees Facts By Hannah Ward

 

1.The Great Pyrenees Is An Old Breed

We know that there are some pretty old dog breeds around, but the Great Pyrenees are so ancient that fossilized remains have been found! Found in France, these Bronze Age fossils date back to approximately 1,800 to 1,000 BC. It is thought that their ancestors were livestock guardian dogs brought to the Pyrenean mountains from Asia.

2. Great Pyrenees Dogs Were Used For Smuggling

Incredibly, Great Pyrenees dogs were even used by smugglers! Particularly during World War I, these dogs were used to carry packs containing contraband across dangerous and almost impassable routes in the Pyrenean mountains in order to avoid detection by customs officials. Their steady nature and sure-footed gait meant that they could travel along routes too narrow and dangerous for pack ponies.

3. The Great Pyrenees Was The Royal Dog Of France

Although they initially started off as being farm dogs and often kept by peasant farmers, Great Pyrenees eventually made their way all the way to the Royal Court. In 1675, King Louis XIV named them as the Royal Dog of France. They were even popular with the British Royals as Queen Victoria owned one as well.

4. Great Pyrenees Dogs Guard Livestock

Even today, Great Pyrenees dogs still do the role that they have performed for thousands of years. This role is that of a livestock guardian. This involves protecting livestock such as sheep and goats from predators including wolves and bears. They typically form strong bonds with the animals that they are protecting as they spend all their time with them both guarding and protecting them. Great Pyrenees dogs are usually nocturnal by nature which only further enhances their prowess as a guardian. However, within a home environment, it can lead to them barking at any strange noise that they hear during the night.

5. Great Pyrenees Dogs Are Excellent Family Pets

Despite being known for their role in looking after livestock, Great Pyrenees actually make really good family pets. They are surprisingly gentle dogs for their size and have a patient and affectionate nature. They are also very tolerant around children which makes them a great all-around family pet. The great Pyrenees' are extremely devoted to their owners. They can often be very protective of them, which means they can be wary of strangers.

6. The Great Pyrenees Takes Two Years To Mature

As a large breed of dog, it takes the Great Pyrenees quite a while to fully mature. Although puppies are generally close to their adult size by the time they reach their first birthday, they still need the next 6 to 12 months to fill out properly. As adults, Great Pyrenees stand 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 120 to 165 pounds.

7. The Great Pyrenees Helped To Save The Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are another large and loveable breed of dog, but they sadly almost died out in the 1800s. They are frequently used as rescue dogs, and the harsh winters of 1816 to 1818 caused vast numbers of them to lose their lives due to avalanches in the Swiss mountains while performing rescues. This left the breed on the verge of extinction. In fact, they would have died out were it not for the intervention of a few other breeds of dog. The remaining Saint Bernards were bred to several other large breeds of dog – including the Great Pyrenees – to help revive the breed. Luckily it worked, and today the Great Pyrenees is credited with helping to save the breed.

8. The Great Pyrenees Used To Deliver Milk

As surprising as this might sound, the Great Pyrenees used to deliver milk in France and Belgium. They used to pull small carts and be used to go out on regular rounds making deliveries. They also pulled butcher carts and made similar rounds.

9. Great Pyrenees Dogs Have Extra Dewclaws

Dewclaws are the extra nails on the upper inner part of a dog's foot. Most dogs have a single dewclaw on each front foot and no dew claws on their hind feet. A few breeds of dogs have single dewclaws in their hind feet, but Great Pyrenees go even further than that. This is because Great Pyrenees have not one but two dewclaws on their hind feet! These double dewclaws are thought to be to help the dog maintain stability while walking over rough mountain terrain. Considering that the breed originated in the mountains and that they live and work in them, it's a pretty useful adaptation!

10. The Great Pyrenees Came Close to Extinction

For such a versatile breed with such an important job role, it might be a surprise to find that the Great Pyrenees almost died out – even more so considering their role in saving Saint Bernard. As the number of predators – particularly wolves – dropped in the mountains in the early 20th century, there became less need for them to guard flocks. As a result, fewer dogs were bred, and the number of pups born dropped drastically, leading the breed to the verge of extinction. Luckily, many of the born pups were sold to tourists, which is how the breed found its way into other countries. This led to them becoming better known and increased interest in them again.