Type the name of the breed you're looking for below
[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
[fbcomments]
Great Pyrenees
| Other Names | Patou, Chien des Pyrénées, Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées, Montañés del Pirineo, Gos de muntanya dels Pirineus, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Pyrenean dog |
| Country of Origin | France & Spain |
| Weight | Males from 100 lbs. (45 kg) Females from 85 lbs. (38 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males 27 - 32 in. (69 - 81 cm) Females 25 - 29 in. (63 - 74 cm) are the average heights, but some Pyrenees are as tall as 40 in. (1 meter) |
| Coat | The weather resistant double coat consists of a long, flat, thick, outer coat of coarse hair, straight or slightly undulating, and lying over a dense, fine, woolly undercoat. The coat is more profuse about the neck and shoulders where it forms a ruff or mane, which is more pronounced in males so that it may fend off wolf attacks. The longer hair on the tail forms a plume. There is also feathering along the back of the front legs and along the back of the thighs, giving a "pantaloon" effect. The hair on the face and ears is both shorter and of finer texture. |
| Colour | The main coat colour is white and can have varying shades of gray, red (rust), or tan around the face (including a full face mask), ears and sometimes on the body and tail. As Great Pyrenees mature, their coats grow thicker and the longer coloured hair of the coat often fades. Sometimes a little light tan or lemon will appear later in life around the ears and face. Being a double-coated breed, the undercoat can also have colour and the skin as well. The colour of the nose and on the eye rims should be jet black. Grey or tan markings that remain lend the French name, "blaireau", (badger) which is a similar grizzled mixture colour seen in the European badger. More recently, any colour is correctly termed "Badger" or "Blaireau". |
| Litter Size | 6 - 9 puppies with an average of 8 |
| Life Span | 10 - 12 years |
| Origin & History | The dogs that are known throughout Europe as mountain dogs seem to all be descended from a single breed that is first recorded in Eastern Europe and Western Asia as long as 12,000 years ago. The Great Pyrenees as its own distinct breed is known to go back to at least 5,000 years in the area of the Pyrenees Mountains in what is today Southern France and Northern Spain. They were little known outside the region until people began visiting the mountain countries in the late 19th century. At that time many dogs of ill breeding were sold to tourists and bought all over Europe to limited success. With the decline of major predators in Europe, the need for the Pyr declined greatly as did the breed's numbers until they were first established at kennels in the US, England and Belgium. Due to their massive size and strength, they have been used for various wartime purposes, most recently in World War II when they were harnessed with artillery-laden sleds and sent over the mountains. Not only were they capable of making the journey without supplies and guidance, but they were also able to guard their loads. Today they are most commonly farm or ranch dogs, although some live in suburban or urban environments with very good quality fences. |
| Personality | The Great Pyrenees is a capable and imposing guardian, devoted to its family, and somewhat wary of strangers—human and canine. It is often used to guard livestock. When not provoked, it is calm, well-mannered and somewhat serious. Courageous, very loyal and obedient. Gentle and affectionate with those he loves. Devoted to family even if self-sacrifice is required. It is very gentle with its family and children. It does best with children when it is raised with them from puppyhood, and if it is not being used as a working flock guard be sure to socialize it well with people, places and noises. It has an independent nature, and may try to dominate a less secure or meek owner, and/or an owner who treats the dog as if he is human, becoming stubborn or territorial. Owners need to be firm, but calm, confident and consistent with the dog. Setting rules the dog must follow and stick to them. The Great Pyrenees is a serious worker, but very independent. Be patient when training the Great Pyrenees, as it may be slightly difficult. If left alone inside the home without the proper amount of exercise and or leadership it can become destructive. The Great Pyrenees is good with non-canine animals, and usually loves cats. These dogs do not reach maturity until they are about 2 years old. Some are not good off the leash and may wander away. They need an owner who understands and practices natural dogmanship. The Great Pyrenees tends to bark a lot and some tend to drool and slobber. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The breed is relatively small and the lines have been maintained for utility for many years. Congenital disorders are rare, but there are a few consequences of their great size that can cause difficulties. Stomach twisting or Bloat: Typically Great Pyrenees and other mountain dogs are fed two small meals each day. If they eat too much food too quickly they can literally twist their stomachs up. This is very painful for the dog and will eventually cause death if not reversed with surgery. Joint disorders: like most big dogs, they are prone to hip dysplasia. Being very careful with your Great Pyrenees for the first two years can minimize the likelihood of this. They are growing so rapidly at this time that any injury can manifest itself in a bone or joint deformity. A rare inherited condition, Deafness should be apparent from an early age. Ignoring your commands is only a particular sort and is not genetic. |
| Grooming | Regular brushing of the long double coat will keep it in good condition, but extra care is needed when the dog is shedding its dense undercoat. The outer coat does not mat unless there is a burr, foxtail or some other outside object that gets stuck to the coat. This can be an issue for outside working dogs. Some owners choose to shave the coats in the summer to avoid this from happening, but beware of sunburn. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. Great Pys shed all year round but do so heavily once a year. |
| Exercise | The Great Pryrenees require at least two hours of exercise each day and will happily take much more. They have incredible stamina and if they're inclined to run around after something, they can do it all day long and still not seem to be tired. Though they are bred to trot at a relatively slow pace all day long, they are also capable of bursts of speed when they feel something is a threat. As such, they can easily get away from you if allowed off leash, and very often on the leash with you still attached. It is always a good idea to make sure your dog has plenty of water available when working out, especially in the summer. While the coat does help them stay cool (and should never be shaven off), it is still quite heavy and this breed needs special consideration in desert environments. |
| Other Considerations | These dogs are not recommended for apartment life and would do best with a mid-to-large sized yard. They need space, but adapt well to family life. They are not really active indoors, but need regular exercise outdoors. A fence is a must as they may wander away in search of the borders to what they believe is their territory. Puppies are very active and might have the tendency to wander off or escape. Prefer cool climates. In popular culture; Belle, from Cécile Aubry's Belle et Sébastien novel is a Great Pyrenees. The 2004 film Finding Neverland used a Great Pyrenees to represent J. M. Barrie's Landseer Newfoundland dog. In the television series, King of Queens, a Great Pyrenees is a recurring customer of Holly the dog walker. In the 1965 film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, a Great Pyrenees is the household dog at the Lord Rawnsley estate. In the Marx Brothers' Horse Feathers, a Great Pyrenees appears in the dog catcher's wagon. In the Korean variety show Happy Sunday - 1 Night 2 Days, Sang Geun, a Great Pyrenees, is the mascot of the show and recently appointed as "Nation's Pet". A popular Korean singer, Hero Jaejoong from TVXQ owns a Great Pyrenees named Vick. In the 2009 Disney movie Santa Buddies, a Great Pyrenees puppy named Puppy Paws is the leading character. Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees owned a Great Pyrenees named Barnaby who was in their television movie Cucumber Castle and the video for their song "Lonely Days". In the Jim Carrey movie Dumb and Dumber, a Great Pyrenees appears in the dog-mobile. Webcomic artist Jeph Jacques owns a Great Pyrenees named Shelby, who has appeared in his webcomic Questionable Content on occasion. He appears almost exactly the same as Mr. Tadakichi of anime fame (see below). In Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, the male lead had a Great Pyrenees named "Yu Ci Lan" for a pet. Many Japanese manga and anime series have dogs that are either this breed or based on its appearance: Alexander from Fullmetal Alchemist Tadakichi-san (Mr. Tadakichi in the English version), owned by Chiyo Mihama in Azumanga Daioh Akamaru from Naruto is Kiba Inuzuka's pet Great Pyrenees. Cherry, owned by Minami Iwasaki in Lucky Star. Baron from Noein is Haruka Kaminoga's pet Great Pyrenees. Peace, a dog belonging to one of Ashirogi Muto's assistants appears in Bakuman. The Japanese series Ginga Densetsu Weed features a Great Pyrenees named Hiro, who is nicknamed the "The Castrator", due to his signature attack of neutering his opponents. In the book Between Mom and Jo by Julie Anne Peters, the family takes in a stray Great Pyrenees. In the book Futures and Frosting by Tara Sivec, Carter's parents buy him, Claire and Gavin a Great Pyrenees puppy. Claire exaggeratingly describes it as a "900-pound animal", "almost the same size as Gavin" and "looks like a polar bear". The logo of the Sea Dog Brewing Company represents the founders' late Great Pyrenees.[11] During the live simulcast of the Stephanie Miller Show radio show on Free Speech TV, Stephanie's two Great Pyrenees, Max and Fred, are often seen on camera and are a subject of discussion. In the 2014 Great Pyrenees known as Duke the Dog becomes mayor of small Minnesota town Cormorant |
