Nine week old Great Pyrenees.
Are you looking for a strong, courageous dog to guard your livestock or be a trustworthy companion? Look no further than the Great Pyrenees. Let's take a closer look at this ancient breed.
Orgins:
The Great Pyrenees, also called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, were first bred in Asia. In 1800 BC, they came to the Pyrenees Mountains in France with shepherds and their flocks to protect the flocks from bears, wolves, and other predators while the shepherds slept at night.
Personality:
These dogs are very often described as gentle giants; they are very confident, calm, and gentle dogs. Their strong-willed nature can make them difficult to train, but it also makes them wonderful guardians. Great Pyrenees are very affectionate and love to be around their people. They are normally very tolerant of children. As puppies, they can be very energetic, but as adults, they are normally calm dogs. They do tend to bark quite often, but this can be a good thing if you are wanting a guardian dog. Since Great Pyrenees are nocturnal, they have a tendency to bark a lot at night.
Physical attributes:
Great Pyrenees are a "giant" breed of dog, with males weighing between 100 and 110 lbs (45.3 and 49.8 kg) and females weighing between 85 and 100 lbs (38.5 and 45.3 kg). Males are normally 27"–32" (69–81 cm) and females 25"–29(64–74 cm). These dogs are very strong and muscular. They have thick, water-proof double coats, which are usually white, although they can come with some markings. They have brown eyes and curved "shepherd hook" tails. They have a life expectancy of 10–12 years.
Grooming needs:
Although they have a self-cleaning outer coat, the soft undercoat will shed a little. They require regular grooming to keep their coats from becoming matted and to reduce the amount of hair around the house. Brushing once or twice a week, at least, is recommended. Great Pyrenees should go no longer than 6 weeks without proper bathing. Using a good deshedding shampoo or whitening shampoo can keep their coats in tip-top condition. Remember to keep their nails clipped too.
Recommended grooming supplies include:
Slicker brush
Deshedding rake
Comb
Flea comb
Nail clipper
Shaver (for paw pads)
Wipes (to clean ears and around eyes)
Potential Health issues:
Great Pyrenees are prone to a few different health risks, such as:
hip and joint issues
hip and elbow dysplasia
eye disorders
luxating patellas
Immune and neurological disorders
Good health care is important to keep these dogs healthy. Regular exercise, nutritious food, and joint supplements can greatly reduce the risk of health problems in your Great Pyrenees.
Training:
As mentioned, the Great Pyrenees are very independent thinkers, meaning they can be difficult to train. Since they were bred to be alone, guarding the livestock, they don't take orders very well. Patience is key when training this breed, as are short 5–10 minute sessions two or three times a day to start out. It's important to keep them engaged, as they can become bored quickly. Since they are roamers, off-leash walking is not recommended unless you have a very strong recall. Since they are bred to guard, they need plenty of socialization while they are young, and they are also prone to resource guarding. It's important to remember that they have strong guardian instincts and don't need any training to guard. That being said, they cannot be trained to not guard. It’s very important to help them meet different people in controlled environments, so they can identify what’s merely a chaotic situation and what's truly dangerous.
Exercise and climate:
Great Pyrenees have a moderate energy level and need regular exercise when kept indoors. Daily walks should be sufficient. It's also important to have a large yard for them to play in. Great Pyrenees are best suited to cooler environments; they love being outside in the snow.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Deciding whether to keep your Great Pyrenees indoors or outdoors greatly depends on your use of the dog. Are you getting a livestock guardian dog or a household pet? They can be well adapted for either choice, but remember that it is important to supply sufficient shelter if you choose to keep your dog outdoors.
Final thoughts:
Great Pyrenees are a wonderful breed of dog and are sure to be a trusted companion. As always, make sure to do plenty of research before deciding if the Great Pyrenees are right for you.
