Is The Great Pyrenees Right For Me?
- 1The Great Pyrenees dog is a large, confident, gentle, and affectionate breed.
- 2Great Pyrenees dogs require firm training and can be stubborn.
- 3The breed is nocturnal by nature and tends to bark at night unless specifically trained.
HISTORY
Bred from the Hungarian Kuvasz and the Maremmano Abruzzese, the Great Pyrenees has a long history as a guard dog of sheep herds for some 300 years in the cold mountains of central Asia. They eventually made their way over to Europe, where they were much sought after by the nobility of France, due to their magnificent, pure white coat and their massiveness, making them beautiful as well as useful. They were first recognized by the AKC in 1933.
Quick Facts
Size
Extra Large
Lifespan
9-12 years, though some have lived to be 15
Hair Length
Long
Male Height
27-32 inches (68-81cm)
Male Weight
100-160 pounds (49-59kg)
Female Height
25-30 inches (63-76cm)
Female Weight
85-115 pounds (39-52kg)
Litter Size
6-9 puppies with the average being 8 puppies
Personality
A serious, well-behaved, devoted, and calm breed, the Great Pyrenees makes for a superb guard, often jeopardizing their own well being to protect their charge. They are great with children and have a boundless love for their family. They can be wary of strangers due to their background as a guard dog, and should be socialized if they are going to be in a home with other pets. Since they are such a smart, dedicated breed, they can often be difficult to train unless their owner shows a decidedly dominant demeanor. .
Color
The Great Pyrenees is notoriously white, but despite what the popular perception of them is, they can have some patches of tan, gray, reddish-brown, or a pale yellow.
Health Concerns
Hip dysplasia and skin problems during hot weather are the Great Pyreneess major health concerns.
Appearance
The Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is known mostly for their pure white coat. They have a large, barrel chested frame that is reminiscent of a St. Bernard or Bernese Mountain Dog. Their feathered coat is medium-long in length and fluffy all over their body, except the face. While their frame is dense and heavy, their head is proportionally lighter than the rest of them, but is still seemingly massive in size. They have kind, almond shaped eyes and tiny, rounded ears that are barely discernable from the fur on their head.
