Great Pyrenees Dogs
The Great Pyrenees descended from the Hungarian Kuvasz and the Maremmano-Abruzzese. The
Pyrenees is considered the aristocratic relative of the St. Bernard and the Newfoundland. It has a long
history in its native France as a guard dog of sheep and chateaux. Remains dating as for back as
1800 BC of a dog similar to the Great Pyrenees have been discovered in Europe, though the breed
probably originated much earlier in Asia or Siberia. Once established in Europe, the Great Pyrenees
(also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog) 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 (a
natural defense against attack), the Great Pyrenees protected vulnerable flocks from such predators
as wolves and bear. Born to live in the mountains, this versatile breed has also served man in other
ways: as an avalanche rescue dog, as a cart-puller and a sled dog, as a pack dog on ski trips, and as
a companion and defender of family and property. With a minimum of training it can still be used
today. In ancient times, when its temperament was less gentle, it may have been used as a dog of war.
The Great Pyrenees was an important part of the founding stock for the Newfoundland. The AKC
officially recognized it in 1933.
The Great Pyrenees are great livestock guardians. They are very alert dogs and sense any danger
with relative ease. At any sign of threatening presence, they will patrol the fence lines and let out a
very deep discouraging bark to any predators. Any presence that they feel will harm their extended
family of animals and people they will first discourage and then attack if necessary.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog (aka Great Pyrenees)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, known as the Great Pyrenees in the United States, is a large, majestic
breed of dog that was used traditionally for protecting livestock (especially sheep) in pasture.
It is a very old breed, and has been used for millennia by the Basque people, who inhabit parts of the
region in and around the Pyrenees Mountains of southern France. More recently, it served as the
official dog of the royal French court (whose prominence began circa the Middle Ages, and lasted until
the middle of the nineteenth century). During World War II the dogs were used to haul artillery over the
Pyreneean Mountain range to and from Spain and France.
Males weigh in at about 100-160 pounds (45-59 kilograms), while females are approximately 85-115
pounds (39-52 kilograms). Their fur is often white with shades of grey or tan around the face, ears and
sometimes on the body; these dogs are called "blaireau". Only one in four will have a pure white coat.
However, most dogs of this breed, when young, are colored gray with tan spots.
The Great Pyrenees is readily identifiable by a double dewclaw on each of its hind legs. These are
considered breed standard, more than two dewclaws is not a fault just undesirable and should not be
removed by veterinarians.
Loyal and protective of its territory, the Great Pyrenees makes for a great family dog. However, there
are several reasons owning a dog of this breed may be inconducive, including the following:
A fenced yard is a must with this breed. Unfenced, they will roam. A typical area for a Pyr to consider
his domain is anywhere from 5 to 15 square miles.
Owners can expect copious amounts of white fur — down hair and coat — in their homes and on their
dark clothing. Seasonal "blowing of coat" — in which the Pyr sheds vast amount of undercoat — occur
at least twice a year. Weekly grooming is a must to avoid mats, and nails — particularly the dewclaws
— must be regularly trimmed. Actual bathing is seldom needed because the undercoat sheds out
when dirty so all that is needed is a quick weekly brushing.
Neighbours may be annoyed and complain about the deep, booming bark — if the dog is left outside
continuously or left inside without a companion too long. These dogs also have a tendency to bark
when they sense a predator nearby. A predator to a Pyr can range from another dog to coyotes,
bears, foxes, weasels, mountain lions, etc.
They cannot be trusted off-leash, as their guardian dog nature will cause them to investigate anything
and everything they find interesting, and to not trust their owners to make the final decisions. Great
Pyrenees were bred to guard without instruction from humans and will decide for you what is in your
best interest.
Pyrenees is considered the aristocratic relative of the St. Bernard and the Newfoundland. It has a long
history in its native France as a guard dog of sheep and chateaux. Remains dating as for back as
1800 BC of a dog similar to the Great Pyrenees have been discovered in Europe, though the breed
probably originated much earlier in Asia or Siberia. Once established in Europe, the Great Pyrenees
(also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog) 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 (a
natural defense against attack), the Great Pyrenees protected vulnerable flocks from such predators
as wolves and bear. Born to live in the mountains, this versatile breed has also served man in other
ways: as an avalanche rescue dog, as a cart-puller and a sled dog, as a pack dog on ski trips, and as
a companion and defender of family and property. With a minimum of training it can still be used
today. In ancient times, when its temperament was less gentle, it may have been used as a dog of war.
The Great Pyrenees was an important part of the founding stock for the Newfoundland. The AKC
officially recognized it in 1933.
The Great Pyrenees are great livestock guardians. They are very alert dogs and sense any danger
with relative ease. At any sign of threatening presence, they will patrol the fence lines and let out a
very deep discouraging bark to any predators. Any presence that they feel will harm their extended
family of animals and people they will first discourage and then attack if necessary.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog (aka Great Pyrenees)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, known as the Great Pyrenees in the United States, is a large, majestic
breed of dog that was used traditionally for protecting livestock (especially sheep) in pasture.
It is a very old breed, and has been used for millennia by the Basque people, who inhabit parts of the
region in and around the Pyrenees Mountains of southern France. More recently, it served as the
official dog of the royal French court (whose prominence began circa the Middle Ages, and lasted until
the middle of the nineteenth century). During World War II the dogs were used to haul artillery over the
Pyreneean Mountain range to and from Spain and France.
Males weigh in at about 100-160 pounds (45-59 kilograms), while females are approximately 85-115
pounds (39-52 kilograms). Their fur is often white with shades of grey or tan around the face, ears and
sometimes on the body; these dogs are called "blaireau". Only one in four will have a pure white coat.
However, most dogs of this breed, when young, are colored gray with tan spots.
The Great Pyrenees is readily identifiable by a double dewclaw on each of its hind legs. These are
considered breed standard, more than two dewclaws is not a fault just undesirable and should not be
removed by veterinarians.
Loyal and protective of its territory, the Great Pyrenees makes for a great family dog. However, there
are several reasons owning a dog of this breed may be inconducive, including the following:
A fenced yard is a must with this breed. Unfenced, they will roam. A typical area for a Pyr to consider
his domain is anywhere from 5 to 15 square miles.
Owners can expect copious amounts of white fur — down hair and coat — in their homes and on their
dark clothing. Seasonal "blowing of coat" — in which the Pyr sheds vast amount of undercoat — occur
at least twice a year. Weekly grooming is a must to avoid mats, and nails — particularly the dewclaws
— must be regularly trimmed. Actual bathing is seldom needed because the undercoat sheds out
when dirty so all that is needed is a quick weekly brushing.
Neighbours may be annoyed and complain about the deep, booming bark — if the dog is left outside
continuously or left inside without a companion too long. These dogs also have a tendency to bark
when they sense a predator nearby. A predator to a Pyr can range from another dog to coyotes,
bears, foxes, weasels, mountain lions, etc.
They cannot be trusted off-leash, as their guardian dog nature will cause them to investigate anything
and everything they find interesting, and to not trust their owners to make the final decisions. Great
Pyrenees were bred to guard without instruction from humans and will decide for you what is in your
best interest.
Great Pyrenees Dogs
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