Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Information: Profile, History, Care & Review

Elegant, imposing, and majestic, the Great Pyrenees is a large dog of medium substance that’s slightly longer than tall. The thick coat of the great Pyrenees gives the impression of heavier bone and stature. This breed was developed to protect flocks on steep mountain slopes then must combine strength with agility. The dog moves smoothly, with good reach and drive. The weather-resistant double coat consists of a dense, wooly undercoat and a long, flat, coarse outer coat, imparting great insulation from the Pyrenean cold. The expression of an excellent Pyrenees dog is elegant and contemplative.

Oh yeah, and to offer, give, and provides unconditional love. Anyone who has seen this stunning white dog becomes enamored. What’s not to like? He has a strong build, a beautiful, thick coat, and he exudes elegance and majesty. One look and you’ll see the intelligence and steady temperament that many seek during a good family dog.

Great Pyrenees Dog Information:

Breed Name	The Great Pyrenees
Other Names	Great Pyrenees, Patou, Chien Des Pyrénées, Chien De Montagne Des Pyrénées, Montañés Del Pirineo, Gos de Muntanya Dels Pirineus
Breed Group	Guardian Dogs (UKC)
Type	Working
Size	Giant
Weight	Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg) Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg)
Height	Male: 27-32 inches (69-81 cm) Female: 25-29 inches (63-74 cm)
Area of Origin	France & Spain
Life Range	10-12 years
Colors	10-12 years
Level of Energy	Laidback
Bark Tendency	High
Exercise	Occasionally
Overall Grooming	Moderate Maintenance

Great Pyrenees Dog History:

The Great Pyrenees originated in Central Asia or Siberia. The breed was descended from the Hungarian Kuvasz and therefore the Maremmano-Abruzzese. The Pyrenees are additionally a relative of the St. Bernard, contributing to its development. it’s an extended history as a guard dog of sheep. The dogs made their way to Europe; the great Pyrenees remained within the high mountain regions until the middle ages when the breed gradually gained popularity with the French nobility as a guard dog. By the late 17th century, every French noble wanted to have one.

Armed with a spiky collar and thick coat, the great Pyrenees protected vulnerable flocks from such predators as wolves and bears. the good Pyrenees has proven to be a very versatile breed working as an avalanche rescue dog, as a cart-puller, sled dog, as a pack dog on ski trips, a flock guardian, dog of war, and as a companion and defender of family and property. The AKC officially recognized the good Pyrenees in 1933.

Great Pyrenees Dog Photos:

Ethical Pyr breeders have excelled in their commitment to health issues. the great Pyrenees Club of America has stressed having all dogs tested for a variety of conditions which will affect the breed, including elbow and hip dysplasia, eye disorders, luxating patellas, and neurological and immune-mediated disorders. Some cancers occur within the breed, also as bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach suddenly distends and sometimes twists. All Pyr owners should educate themselves to understand the signs of bloat, and what to do should it happen.

• Major concerns: CHD, patellar luxation
• Minor concerns: entropion, OCD, skin problems, osteosarcoma, cataract, chondrodysplasia (dwarfism), panosteitis
• Occasionally seen: gastric torsion, otitis, spinal muscular atrophy
• Suggested tests: hip, knee, (eye)

Nutrition For Great Pyrenees Dog:

Some owners note that Great Pyrenees seem to eat a comparatively small amount for a dog of their size. “Of course, if another dog wants what’s in their bowl, they’re going to snarf down the food like they hadn’t eaten in months,” says one breed devotee. High-quality dry pet food that is low-protein and specially formulated for giant breeds may be a good idea. The breed is susceptible to bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), where the stomach distends and twists. The causes of bloat aren’t fully understood, but experts agree that multiple, small meals per day and preventing vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help reduce the probabilities of it happening.

How to Take Care of Great Pyrenees Dog:

A good fence around your yard is completely necessary, and it should be a minimum of four feet but preferably five or six feet high. This dog is used to roaming the Pyrenees Mountains while protecting his flocks, and he needs territory. If you do not have a fence to corral him, he’ll keep running to understand the territory.

He’s a Houdini Hound who can scale fences. And if snowdrifts to the height of the fence, he’ll walk right over it, so get out that shovel and move the piles away if you do not want him visiting the neighbors during a snowstorm. (They might be surprised — it is a bit difficult to see him approaching within the snow.) there is a reason the Pyr rescue groups won’t adopt a Pyr to anyone without a fence, or who thinks they will just yard-train him; it’s simply not getting to happen.

He must have training from the time he’s a small pup, but despite his size, he needs gentle, positive reinforcement. he’s scarily intuitive, has impeccable manners, and a memory like an elephant: he will never, ever forget anything, which is why you usually got to use a form, gentle approach in training. Negative training makes a Pyr shy, timid, and fearful, which is problematic in any dog, much less a dog of this size.

Crate training benefits every dog and maybe a kind way to make sure that your Pyr doesn’t have accidents within the house or get into things he shouldn’t. A crate (a big one) is additionally a place where he can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will help your Pyr accept confinement if he ever must be boarded or hospitalized.

Great Pyrenees Grooming, Bathing & Coat:

The Great Pyrenees does require regular bathing and brushing. This majestic dog is often bathed every other week up to not than every 6 weeks. With this double-coated breed, proper bathing and drying techniques lay the groundwork for achieving a beautiful coat. Selecting the right products to satisfy the dog’s needs is important to achieve optimal results.

The care and maintenance of the coat set the foundation for obtaining healthy skin and coat. When the coat is dirty, the hair shaft becomes rough and eventually breaks down, which may cause the coat to become damaged. It can also This coat must be bathed and brushed weekly or bi-weekly so as to stop the dog from becoming matted and tangled. Lack of maintenance can contribute to the formation of the cobweb matting that forms close to the skin. this type of matting if left unattended can cause the development of various skin issues. Therefore, keeping the coat clean and healthy is of utmost importance so as to take care of the abundant coat.

Before the bathtub, take a couple of minutes to require a high-velocity dryer over the coat to loosen any dirt and debris from the skin and to loosen any cobweb matting. don’t move the dryer back and forth quickly. Rather, hold the dryer in one place and slowly move it through the coat. The coat should start standing off the skin and not mat up. you would possibly need to pull the dryer farther faraway from the skin to prevent it from tangling the coat. Once you’ve got blown out any loose hair, and have lightly brushed through the dog, you’re ready for the bath.

Great Pyrenees Dog Exercise:

Pyrs aren’t a highly active breed. The breed was developed to be a livestock guardian and has been used since the past to protect flocks from wolves, bears, and human foes. When working, they’re going to patrol their territory but tend to conserve their energy for avoiding whatever may threaten their flock. Moderate exercise like walks with their owner will help keep them healthy and happy. The breed also exercises the mind and body by participating in canine activities like obedience trials and cart-pulling.

Great Pyrenees Dog Personality:

The Great Pyrenees may be a calm, well-mannered, serious dog known for his great devotion to family, including well-behaved children. These dogs are generally trustworthy, affectionate, and gentle, but if the necessity arises, they’re going to not hesitate to undertake to protect their family and their territory.

The Great Pyrenees was bred to be left alone and guard sheep in mountain valleys, in order that they are naturally relatively independent. This independence can make obedience training more of a challenge than is that the case with other breeds. an equivalent guarding roots even have left the Pyr with a strong instinct to bark. the great Pyrenees are adults at 1 year of age but can take up to 2 years to mature.