The Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is a large-sized and very old breed of dog that has been used for centuries by shepherds as a livestock guardian dog. This breed is native to both Southern France and Northern Spain and descends from the large white breeds the Maremmano-Abruzzese (Sheepdog) and the Hungarian Kuvasz.
The Great Pyrenees makes the perfect watchdog, guard dog of livestock and the loyal and protective family companion. In terms of general appearance, this breed has a strong, well-proportioned and muscular body and a square body shape, dark brown colored eyes, triangle-shaped ears, long and feathered tail and which curls toward its tip. The distinctive feature of this breed is represented by the unique double dewclaws on each hind leg and only one dewclaw on each front leg. Its outer coat is long, thick, coarse, either straight or slightly wavy and its undercoat is dense and soft. The weather resistant and water repellant coat of this breed helps to maintain its skin dry and healthy in the harsh mountain conditions. This is why this breed can adapt easily to all climates.
Around the neck and shoulders, the coat forms a mane, especially in males. The main color of the coat is white, with or without tan, gray and rust patches, more pronounced around the face and ears, giving the look of a facial mask. As this dog matures, its coat becomes thicker, the colored hair fades away and often a light tan appears later in life. The average height of this breed is 25-32 inches and its average weight is 85-100 pounds, females being shorter and lighter. In terms of grooming, its long and thick coat requires regular brushing, although their outer coat does not mat. It sheds heavily once a year. All in all, this breed is low maintenance.
This breed is a very loyal, affectionate, docile and loving family companion and a match made in heaven with children. It is an excellent guard dog and watch dog and becomes very territorial and protective of its family, livestock and property when it senses a threat. This breed is not good with strangers and early socialization is typically required with this breed. Also, obedience training requires extra time and patience because this breed is quite independent, strong-willed, relatively stubborn and somewhat reserved. Its imposing size also makes it courageous, confident, faithful to its work duties and fearless. It goes along with other dogs, but mostly with other animals and it is renowned as the breed which loves cats the most.
This breed is not suitable for apartment living conditions, because it requires extensive exercise and it tends to bark a lot at night, unless trained otherwise, but it does so for a noble purpose to fully protect its territory. The ideal place for this breed is a fenced large yard, because it will patrol and it may wander away if not used as a livestock guardian dog. It is suspicious of strangers, but it will remain calm if the owner is comfortable with the stranger. It enjoys snow in particular and does not tolerate hot weather very well. It drools quite a bit and slobbers when it drinks.
If you decide to adopt a Great Pyrenees, you can have a versatile guard and vigilant watch dog, an alert livestock guardian, a sublime playmate for children and small animals and a faithful, affectionate, gentle and loving family companion.
