Great Pyrenees: temperament, size, care and health

About the Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a majestic white dog with a broad head, dark almond eyes and a plumed tail. Adults stand about 25 to 32 inches tall, with males usually larger. The thick double coat is mostly white, though patches of gray, tan or badger color may appear on the head and body. A distinctive feature is the double dewclaws on the hind legs.

The breed protected flocks of sheep from wolves and bears in the high Pyrenees. Today it is still used as a livestock guardian, and some families keep it as a quiet, watchful companion in the home or on a property.

Temperament and family life

Great Pyrenees are calm, patient and affectionate with their people, and they tend to be gentle with children and with the animals they regard as their own. Their instinct is to patrol and protect, and that shapes daily life. They are naturally wary of strangers and may be indifferent to commands from visitors.

A Pyrenees works the night shift: it often barks through the night as a warning to predators, which can cause problems with neighbors. Many are roamers that will leave an inadequate fence to expand their territory, and they may wander far. They may not play fetch or follow cues the way a retriever does, as they were bred to think for themselves. The breed is generally good with other animals when raised with them.

Exercise and training

An adult needs a daily walk or two and a secure area to roam. It is not a high-energy dog, though it enjoys being outdoors, especially in cold weather. A strong fence at least five to six feet high is advised, along with a leash or enclosure for walks, because recall is unreliable.

Training takes patience. The Great Pyrenees is intelligent, but it was bred to make independent decisions, and it is not eager to repeat tasks. Gentle, consistent methods with food rewards work best, and heavy-handed correction gets nowhere. Early socialization helps it distinguish normal visitors from real threats, and puppies should learn to accept handling and grooming.

Grooming and shedding

The white coat is dense, and it sheds heavily, with a dramatic blowout in spring. Brush two or three times a week with a pin brush and undercoat rake, and daily while shedding. The outer hair resists dirt and mats less than one might expect, but it does tangle behind the ears and in the britches if neglected.

Baths are infrequent, since the coat repels dirt. Check the ears, trim the nails and keep the double dewclaws from catching. Do not shave the coat for summer, as it helps protect against heat; supply shade and water instead.

Health

Great Pyrenees can suffer from hip dysplasia, luxating patellas and, in this deep-chested breed, bloat. Bone cancer is reported in large dogs, and eyelid and eye problems such as entropion occur. Breeders usually screen hips, elbows and knees. This text is general information, and a veterinarian is the one to consult about an individual dog.

History

The breed is generally traced to ancient white mountain dogs that guarded flocks in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, and it was widely used there for centuries. In the seventeenth century, dogs were adopted by the French court as estate guards. In the early 1930s, the first Great Pyrenees were brought to the United States, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1933. The breed is still used to protect livestock on farms and ranches.

Is the Great Pyrenees right for you?

This breed suits a rural or large property with a good fence and an owner who values independence over obedience. It is a poor match for small yards, close neighbors who dislike barking or people who want a dog to roam off lead. Those wanting a similar white guardian of Hungarian origin might compare the Kuvasz, while the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a rangier flock protector. The Komondor has a corded coat and the same guarding job.