Breed Details
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
Affectionate
flat Friendly
bark Tendencies
Cat Friendly
youngster Friendly
Dog Friendly
Excercise Needs
Grooming
Health Issues
tidings
Energy Level
Shedding Level
Social Needs
Stranger Friendly
Territorial
Trainability
Watchdog Instincts
This beautiful white dog has a heritage as a stack defender , but these day he ’s primarily a have it away family companion . He ’s big , smart , and strong - willed , so it engage a exceptional person to be able-bodied to train him in effect . The Great Pyrenees was once bonk as the royal dog of France and , with his stunning white pelage and visit bearing , is considered to be one of the most beautiful stock . His heritage is that of a passel - guarding dog in the Pyrenees mountains of France and Spain . Rather than herding sheep or other stock , it was his job to protect them from predators such as brute . The job ring for a large , hefty , brave , and wary dog . He worked independently , often on his own for Day or weeks at a time , and is unaccustomed to taking a lot of orders .
These day , the Great Pyrenees is primarily a family companion , although some still receive employment as stock guardians . The Great Pyrenees has many practiced quality , but he is not the easy firedog to live with . If you want a serene , protective Great Pyrenees at his good , be inclined to do a lot of homework to find him and to put in plenty of exploit training and socializing once you bring him home .
The Great Pyrenees is a plenty - guarding strain who is placid in the home and aristocratic with children . He has a sleepless , protective nature and is more serious than many dog . He is only fairly active . A couple of forgetful or moderate leashed base on balls daily will satisfy his exercise needs . If you jazz the out-of-doors , the Pyr ’s mountain heritage makes him a good hike companion .
Sounds great , right ? Not so fast ! The Great Pyrenees requires a firmly debate cubic yard that will prevent him from roaming and assay to dilate his territory . He is not a nominee for off - triplet pass . While he thrives in cold weather , he is sensitive to heating plant . And he drool . Be quick to wipe his backtalk after he imbibe so he does n’t drip .
This is a elephantine strain . That cute lilliputian blank ballock of fluff will grow up to consider 85 to 115 Ezra Loomis Pound . Because they are guardian dogs , Great Pyrenees are mistrustful as a rule . They will gracefully accept anyone you invite into your home , but trespasser or unexpected visitors will get a very different , much more intimidate reception . If none of that unsettle you , a Great Pyrenees may be your blackguard of option .
Other Quick Facts
TheHistoryof the Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees originated as a slew - defend Canis familiaris in the Pyrenees Mountains of France . work out in partnership with the shepherd and the small Pyrenean Shepherd , he watched over flock and protected them from vulture such as wolves and bears .
Dogs such as the Great Pyrenees descend from ancient mastiff - type frank . Their white pelage leave them to coalesce in with the sheep they protect , the better to take in a marauder by surprise . They wore grave iron collars with spikes for tribute .
Famed for their braveness , the dogs were drafted as guardians for chateaus . One of the earliest mentions of them was in 1407 by a historian distinguish Bourdet , who wrote that they guard the chateau at Lourdes , located in the Pyrenean region of southwest France . Later , King Louix XIV became a great admirer of the dogs and made them part of his household guard .
The first Great Pyrenees came to the United States in company with the young land ’s expectant friend the Marquis de Lafayette , who was also a noted dog fancier . It was n’t until more than a century later , though , that the dogs were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933 . Today the Great Pyrenees range 71stamong the breeds register by the AKC .
Great PyreneesTemperamentand Personality
At his skillful , the attentive and fearless Great Pyrenees is surefooted , gentle , and affectionate toward his home . With children he is peculiarly patient and tolerant .
His inheritance as a flock guardian make him territorial and protective . He is book with alien and somewhat suspicious . Those are n’t characteristics that he gives up just because he is living as a family companion .
For those intellect , betimes , frequent socialization is essential to prevent a Pyr from becoming overly leery or fearful of anything new or unlike . Purchase a Pyr puppy from a breeder who raise the pups in the rest home and ensures that they are exposed to many unlike home sight and go , as well as people , before they go off to their novel homes . Continue socializing your peachy Pyrenees by taking him to puppy kindergarten class , on visit to friends and neighbors , and for jaunt to local shops and businesses .
Like any dog , Pyr puppies are inveterate chewers , and because of their size can do more equipment casualty than puppies of other breeds . Do n’t give them the run of the star sign until they ’ve reach trustworthy maturity . Keep your Pyr puppy busy with training , play and socialization experiences . A bored Pyr is a destructive Pyr . breakup anxiousness trainingwill go a farsighted way to avail .
Begin training as soon as you bring your Pyr puppy base , while he is still at a manageable size . Use irrefutable reenforcement training technique such as congratulations , play , and food for thought reward , and be patient . When it comes to preparation , the Great Pyrenees likes to have his own means . His instinct is to guess for himself . It study patience and resolve to make for with a dog who is solid - willed and self-governing . Obedience — specially if he thinks what you ’re require is stupid — does not occur easy , but he will respond to tolerant , loyal , consistent training . Do n’t make him repeat the same activity over and over . He ’s smart and becomes blase easily , so keep training session shortsighted and interesting . When you have institute a good working relationship with him , he is eminently firm .
Pyrs will bark at anything that might be a threat . learn them to be discriminating in their warning or you will get complaints from the neighbour .
While you might guess of him as an outdoor weenie , nothing could be further from the truth . neat Pyrenees are guardian dog , pay to their citizenry . Chaining a swell Pyrenees out in the thousand and generate him little or no attention is not only roughshod , it can also go to aggression and destructive behavior . A Pyr should also have access to a securely fenced yard , but when the household is home base , the Pyr should be with them .
Start training your puppythe daylight you lend him home . Even at eight weeks old , he is capable of soaking up everything you could instruct him . Do n’t expect until he is 6 months old to start training or you will have a more willful dog to deal with . If possible , get him into puppy kindergarten class by the meter he is 10 to 12 weeks one-time , and socialise , socialize , socialise . However , be aware that many puppy education classes require certain vaccines ( like kennel cough ) to be up to particular date , and many veterinarians recommend limited photo to other dogs and public stead until puppy vaccines ( including rabies , distemper and parvo ) have been completed . In lieu of conventional training , you could start training your puppy at family and socialise him among phratry and ally until puppy vaccinum are completed .
speak to the stock breeder , account precisely what you ’re bet for in a dog-iron , and ask for assist in selecting a puppy . Breeders see the puppies daily and can make uncannily accurate recommendations once they know your lifestyle and personality . Whatever you want from a Great Pyrenees , wait for one whose parent have decent personalities and who has been well socialized from early puppyhood .
What You Need To Know About Great PyreneesHealth
All dogs have the potential to develop familial health problems , just as all mass have the potential to inherit disease . Run from any breeder who does not offer a health warrant on pup , who tell you that the stock has no known problems , or who keeps pup isolate from the main part of the household for health reasons . A reputable breeder will be good and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur .
In the Great Pyrenees , health problems can includehip dysplasia ; heart problem such as tricuspid valve dysplasia;cancerssuch as osteogenic sarcoma ( bone cancer ) ; eye problems such as haunting pupillary membrane , progressive retinal withering and cataracts ; osteochondritis dissecans ( an orthopedic problem ) , patellar luxation ( kneecap dislocation ) andbloat .
Not every Great Pyrenees will get all or even any of these conditions , but knowing about them beforehand will help you in your search for a breeder . At a minimum require the breeder to show grounds that both of a puppy ’s parents have rosehip and elbow wads of Excellent , Good , or Fair from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and credentials from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that the eyes are levelheaded . The Great Pyrenees Club of America , which is the American Kennel Club parent organisation for the breed in the United States , participates in the Canine Health Information Center Program . For a Great Pyrenees to achieveCHIC certification , he must have OFA corroboration for hips and patellas . Additional certifications that are recommended but not required are OFA for elbows , shoulders , bosom and thyroid ; a BAER hearing clearance ; and Canine Eye Registry Foundation certification for cataracts .
Breeders must match to have all exam results — positive or negative — publish in the CHIC database . A hotdog need not receive estimable or even passing scores on the evaluation to obtain a CHIC number , so CHIC enrolment alone is not proof of wiseness or absence of disease . But all exam results are posted on the CHIC website and can be get at by anyone who wants to check the health of a puppy ’s parents .
The GPCA alsorecognizes breederswho attain a certain level of screening . Recommended screenings are OFA hip , genus Patella , cubitus , OCD shoulder , cardiac , and thyroid gland ; eye clearance ; hearing headroom ; and genic clearances for Glanzmann ’s thrombasthenia and canine multifocal retinopathy . Gold award go to owners whose dogs have undergo six of the recommended screenings , silver awards to those that have done three of the recommended screenings . stock breeder and owners who have achieved gold or silvery health award condition for multiple dogs earn ace awards .
Do n’t pass for a bad breeder ’s lies . If the breeder severalize you trial are n’t necessary because they ’ve never had problem in her line , the dogs have been “ vet checked ” or pop the question any other excuses for skimp on the genetic testing of their dog , walk aside immediately .
Careful stock breeder screen out their cover dogs for genetic disease and multiply only the healthiest and best - looking specimen . But a pup can grow one of these disease despite undecomposed reproduction practices . approach in veterinary medicament imply that in most cases the dogs can still live a good biography . If you ’re getting a puppy , ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in her lines and what they break of .
Remember that after you ’ve accept a new puppy into your home , you have the power to protect him from one of the most common health job : fleshiness . Keeping a neat Pyrenees at an appropriate weightiness is one of the prosperous ways to extend his life . Make the most of your preventative abilities to help ensure a healthier dog for life .
Grooming Basicsof a Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees has a beautiful twofold coating of white or blank with marking of gray , badger , reddish brown or any shade of tan . The coating sheds poop and resists forming matsor tangles , but there is a lot of it .
Expect to expend roughly 30 minutes weekly brushing it to bump off idle hair and keep it clean and healthy . Pyrs do shed , so even brushing will help reduce the figure of white hairs floating around your house .
The remainder is introductory charge . Clean the ears and trim the nails as needed , and bathe the Pyr when he ’s dirty . Brush the teeth for overall good wellness and saucy breath .
Choosing a Great Pyrenees Breeder
Finding a quality stock breeder is the key to finding the right puppy . A good breeder will play off you with the right pup , and will have done all the health certification necessary to riddle out as many problems as potential . He or she is more concerned in pose pups in the right homes than do big dollar bill . Be suspicious of breeders who only assure you the good things about the strain or who advertize the frump as being “ good with Thomas Kid . ”
Reputable breeders will receive your interrogation about temperament , wellness clearances , and what the dog are like to live with . They will come right back at you with questions of their own about what you ’re looking for in a dog and what kind of lifetime you plan to provide . A good breeder can tell you about the history of the breed , explain why one puppy is considered pet timbre while another is not , and talk over what health problems sham the stock and the steps were taken to avoid them . A stock breeder should desire to be a resourcefulness for you throughout your dog ’s life .
appear for more data about the Great Pyrenees and startle your hunting for a good stock breeder at the internet site of theGreat Pyrenees Club of America . prefer a breeder who has agreed to abide by thecode of ethics , which prohibit the sale of puppies to or through pet stores and call for the stock breeder to obtain hip clearances on dogs before breeding them .
Avoid breeders who only seem concerned in how quickly they can set down a pup on you and whether your citation card will clear . stock breeder who offer puppies at one terms “ with papers ” and at a lower price “ without paper ” are unethical .
If you ’re uncertain about where to start with finding a reputable Great Pyrenees breeder , ask your veterinary surgeon . They can often refer you to a reputable breeder , spawn delivery organization , or other reliable reference for healthy puppies .
The cost of a Great Pyrenees pup varies depending on the stock breeder ’s venue , whether the puppy is manlike or female , what style his parents have , and whether he is considered a show frankfurter or an at - dwelling house positron emission tomography . Puppies should be temperament tested , vetted , dewormed , and socialized to give them a healthy , confident commence in lifespan .
Before you resolve to buy a puppy , study whether an adult Great Pyrenees might well suit your needs and life-style . If you are interested in acquiring an older weenie through breeders , enquire them about purchasing a retired show dog or if they know of an grownup dog who want a new home . If you require to sweep up a detent , read the advice below on how to do that .
Adopting a Great PyreneesFrom a Rescue or a Shelter
There are many great options available if you desire to adopt a frump from an animal shelter or breed delivery organization . Here is how to get depart .
set off your hunting onlineSites likePetfinder.comandAdopt-a-Pet.comcan have you searching for a Great Pyrenees in your area in no time flat . These sites leave you to be very specific in your petition ( housetraining position , for example ) or very cosmopolitan ( all the Pyrs available across the country).AnimalSheltercan supporter you find beast delivery groups in your country .
societal media is another great way to find a dog . Post on your Facebook , Instagram , or TikTok that you are looking for a specific stock so that your intact community can be your eyes and ears .
Leverage local pet hoi polloi . Start speak with all the pet professional in your area about your desire for a Great Pyrenees . That let in vets , dog Zimmer , and groomers . These professionals may have leads with protection and rescue groups , or they may be aware when someone needs to rehome a dog .
Consult local breed - based saving . Most stock club have deliverance organizations devoted to consider care of homeless detent . TheGreat Pyrenees Club of America ’s Rescue Networkcan help you find a dog that may be the arrant companion for your family . you’re able to also look for online for other Great Pyrenees rescues in your expanse .
The peachy affair about breed rescue chemical group is that they tend to be very upfront about any wellness conditions the wienerwurst may have and are a worthful resource for advice . They also often offer fostering opportunity . With training , you could foster a Great Pyrenees to see what the experience is like .
pup or grownup , make an appointment with your veterinarian soon after borrowing to ensure the health of your Great Pyrenees dog .
Great PyreneesFAQs
Do Great Pyrenees shed?
The Great Pyrenees ’ thick , farsighted coating gives them their defining look as a breed , but it also comes with some hefty shedding . slap-up Pyrenees are considered an average to mellow shedding breed with most hair going occurring in the spring as they shed their winter coat . Though otherwise low upkeep , you should be set to brush their coating regularly .
How big do Great Pyrenees get?
with child Pyrenees are a large dog breed both in term of height and weight . As with most other detent breeds , Male tend to grow larger than females . The fair full - grown male person Great Pyrenees weighs between 100 - 125lbs and stands between 27 - 35″ tall , while the mean grownup distaff weighs between 85 - 100lbs and stands between 25 - 29″ tall .
How long do Great Pyrenees live?
Great Pyrenees tend to go more or less longer than other large bounder breeds with an medium lifetime of 10 - 12 years . Like any blackguard breed , they are susceptible to some wellness worry that could threaten their longevity , including pelvic arch dysplasia ; gist problems such as tricuspid valve dysplasia ; cancers such as osteosarcoma ( osseous tissue cancer ) ; centre problems such as persistent pupillary membranes , progressive retinal atrophy and cataract ; osteochondritis dissecans ( an orthopedic problem ) , patellar luxation ( patella disruption ) and bloat . Due diligence while researching a reputable breeder as well as go on up with even vet fitting will ensure your Great Pyrenees stays healthy for as long as potential .
Are Great Pyrenees good with kids?
The short solution : Yes , Great Pyrenees make bang-up class ducky .
capital Pyrenees are a by nature sure-footed , well - mannered strain who are often refer to as “ docile giant . ” As with any working strain of dog , however , Great Pyrenees ’ temperament benefit staggeringly from careful exercise , education , and early socialization .
How much do Great Pyrenees cost?
The price for a Great Pyrenees can variegate wide count on where you live and the reputation of your breeder . In general , you may expect to expend between $ 1,000 and $ 2,500 for a quality Great Pyrenees . However , that Mary Leontyne Price can climb up to upwardly of $ 6,000 if you ’re look to buy a Great Pyrenees that comes from a champion lineage .
