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Rescue a
Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees Puppies for Sale
Great Pyrenees
(Pyrenean Mountain Dog) (Chien
de Montagne des Pyrenees) (Pyrenean dog) (Patou)
Tundra at 11 months. With temperatures in the single digits and a wind chill of -7 oF (-22 C) and Tundra is panting!
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Pronunciation |
Great Pyrenees |
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Description |
The Great Pyrenees is also known as the Pyrenean
Mountain Dog. The length of the dog is slightly longer than it is tall. The head is wedge-shaped with a slightly rounded crown and is in proportion to the rest of the body. The backline is level. The muzzle is about the same length as the back skull. The skull is as wide as it is tall with flat cheeks. There is no apparent stop. The nose and lips are black. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The dark brown, medium sized eyes are almond shaped and slanted. The dark brown, V-shaped ears are carried low, flat and close to the head, rounded at the tips, set about eye level. The chest is fairly broad. The well feathered tail reaches the hocks and can be carried low, or up over the back in a wheel when the dog is excited. There is sometimes a crook at the end of the tail. The Great
Pyrenees has single dewclaws on the front legs and double dewclaws on the hind
legs. The dog has a weather-resistant double coat. The undercoat is dense, fine and wooly, and the outer coat is long, thick, coarse and flat. There is a mane around the shoulders and neck which is more apparent in male dogs. There is feathering on the tail and along the back of the legs. Coat is either solid white or white with patches of tan, wolf-gray, reddish-brown or pale yellow. |
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Temperament |
The Great Pyrenees is a capable and imposing
guardian, devoted to its family, and somewhat wary of strangers - human or
canine. They are 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 they are not being used as working flock guards be sure to socialize them well with people, place 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 sticking to them. 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 they 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. Needs an owner who understands and practices natural dogmanship. The
Great Pyrenees tend to bark a lot and some tend to drool and slobber. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 27-32 inches (69-81cm.) Bitches 25-29
inches (63-74cm.) are the average heights, but some Pyrenees are as much as 40
inches (1 meter)
Weight: Dogs from 100 pounds (45kg.) Bitches from 85 pounds (38kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Prone to bloat, hip dysplasia, bone cancer, luxated patellas. Can develop skin problems
in very hot weather. |
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Living Conditions |
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 boarders to what they believe is their territory. Puppies are very active and might have the tendency to wander off or escape. Prefers cool climates. |
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Exercise |
Pyrenees need plenty of
exercise to stay in shape. If they are not actively working as a flock guardian,
they need to be taken on a daily, long
brisk walk. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10 years. |
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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 does so heavily once a year. |
Origin |
The Great Pyrenees originated in Central Asia or Siberia. The breed was descended from the Hungarian
Kuvasz and the Maremmano-Abruzzese. The Pyrenees is also a relative of the St. Bernard, contributing to their development. It has a long history as a guard dog of sheep. The dogs made their way to Europe, the Great Pyrenees remained in 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 own one. Armed with a
spiky collar and thick coat, the Great
Pyrenees protected vulnerable flocks from such predators as wolves and bear. The Great 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 Great Pyrenees in 1933. |
| Group |
Flock Guard, AKC Working |
Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC,
APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
Teddy the Great Pyrenees at 18 months old learning to heel on a lead.
Photo Courtesy of Majesta
Great Pyrenees.
"Tundra the Great Pyrenees at 10 years old. Tundra is my "old man". He's a happy boy despite some hip dysplasia and thyroid issues, which he is taking meds for."
"Left Tundra from show dog lines, Right
Tacoma from working lines, both working together as flock guards on a farm.
Tundra, from show lines has an immensely thick coat. While working burrs and
sticks get caught in his coat and have to be worked or cut out. Tacoma on
the other hand has a thinner coat. Its still thick compared to most breeds,
but is much thinner than Tundra's show coat. Burrs and sticks do not get
caught in her coat as easily. Tundra, from show lines is less wary of
strangers than Tacoma. Tacoma is more likely to bark at strangers, she keeps
her distance and circles around the person or stays back barking and wagging
her tail at the same time. Tundra (show lines) is still wary of strangers,
however he is more likely to walk up to be pet than Tacoma is. It is very,
very rare that Tacoma will approach a stranger to be pet. She keeps her
distance, barks but does not show signs of physical aggression. At night
Tacoma seems to be more on guard than Tundra, Tundra will often stay in one
spot for the night while Tacoma will walk the border of the property over
and over, barking at and chasing anything she thinks does not belong. I have
seen Tacoma chase a fox off the property. The fox got away through the
fence, but not by much. The chickens were safe that night! Tundra will bark
at night and I have seen him run after animals, which do not belong, but not
as often as Tacoma. Both dogs live outside with a herd of goats, two horses and nightly free roam around a chicken coop, guinea fowl and peafowl, which they protect from the fox, raccoon, possum and skunk. Without these two flock guards I am sure we would have no birds left. They have saved them countless times."
Great Pyrenees Tundra (back) and Tacoma (front) watching over their flock of goats.
"We bought Osa, a spayed female, at age 2 months, in 2008. She was put right in with three ewes and a ram. We now have thirty sheep, including 11 lambs born since late November. This photograph is typical of her behavior regarding the ram and one or two other ewes. She will hold this pose for up to 30 minutes or so, sometimes with eyes closed, often with eyes open, and it seems very Buddhist. Do any other Great Pyrenees folk know this behavior or have seen anything like it? This is the world's coolest dog."
Great Pyrenees
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Understanding Dog Behavior
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