Great Pyrenees Breed Information

 

What to consider when adopting a Great Pyrenees.

Great Pyrenees are very gentle, loving and loyal dogs. They are unusually intelligent and will protect you and your family without regard for their own safety.  Great Pyrenees love to snuggle with family members and will put up with just about anything from the members of their “flock”.  Affection- physical and emotional- is very important. Pyr pups house train easily, but tend to be hard on furnishings. Pyrs want to be with their family and should be inside/outside dogs.

If you want a dog that will follow your every command, or if you want a “competition” obedience dog, or if you want a great off-lead companion, the Pyrenees is probably not for you.

However, if you appreciate an independent thinker with a personality of his/her own, you will be very happy with your Pyrenees Dog!

History:

The Great Pyrenees are an ancient livestock guardian breed. They hail from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain and were bred for the dangerous task of guarding flocks of sheep on steep mountain slopes from predators without human intervention. Literature and paintings show that they existed well over 2,000 years ago, although not under the same name. King Louis XIV elevated the Pyrenees to royal court dog, because of their beauty, elegance and majestic appearance.

Temperament and Personality

Unlike many other breeds, Pyrenees were bred to make their own decision independent of human input. They are very intelligent dogs, which can be interpreted as stubbornness. Pyrs will not always strive to please their owners or listen to your commands, as they may not agree with you on what is of importance.  If your command is at war with your Pyr’s instinct, chances are that the Pyr’s instinct will win out. That is why it is imperative that Pyr owners are strong, yet patient, gentle and loving leaders.  Obedience training and proper socialization is a must for the Great Pyrenees.

Pyrs appear regal and calm, and to many people, their firmly entrenched territorialism and strong protective instincts come as a surprise. Pyrs are not attack dogs and will not generally harm people, but due to their size and big, booming bark, they can be very intimidating. Responsible Pyr ownership requires assusrance that the Pyrs protective instincts can be exercised in a responsible manner.

Pyrs are roamers by nature. They require secure fencing, at least 5’ tall, and must be kept on a leash at all times during walks outside the fenced area. Their independence,  protective instincts and self confidence cause these dogs to seek out danger in order to keep threats from their home and family. Pyrs don’t worry about getting lost or hurt, they have no sense of vulnerability and will put their lives on the line to protect you. Their keen sense of hearing and smell allows them to sense potential predators long before you know they are around. In their effort to protect you, they can roam up to ten miles. No Pyr has 100% recall, especially when his instincts tell him he must protect you. I can promise, if you do not keep your Pyr fenced and on a leash, eventually he will be gone.

When outside in your yard, Pyrs will bark a lot, because barking to warn off undesirables is an important part of the Pyr’s duties. The typical Pyr bark is loud and booming and can disturb neighbors. It is very difficult, and with some Pyrs impossible, to train these dogs not to bark. I strongly advise against using a bark collar or debarking your dog. A Pyr will bark right through the pain of the collar, and debarking a Pyr is akin to amputating a limb, as the barking is vital to this breed. The only way to effectively stop your Pyr from barking is to call him/her into the house. Inside, adult Pyrs tend to be snuggly, affectionate couch potatoes. However, if you do not live in a neighborhood where some daytime barking is acceptable, you might not want to adopt a Pyr, or any member of the Livestock Guardian Breeds.

Pyrs tend to be aloof with people they do not know. Early and frequent socialization to other humans and pets is vital. Make sure that the humans you introduce your Pyr to know how to approach appropriately.

Great Pyrenees are very sensitive and suffer greatly from unkind treatment or rough words. Few breeds are as sensitive to their human’s moods and condition. When you need support, your Pyr will know and be close at hand to make you feel better. Pyrs make the best nurses and therapists!

Pyrs must have companionship and affection- they thrive on it and do very poorly without. A Pyr left alone for long periods of time will likely become destructive. Left outside alone for long periods of time, s/he will dig craters in your yard and/or find a way out of the fence most people would consider escape proof.

Among the Pyrenees, the females tend to be the alphas. Alpha traits may not be apparent in your dog until it turns 12 to 18 months old. That is when your adorable, easy-to-get-along female pup can become a veritable aggressive terror to other female dogs.  Because of this, we advise adopters not to adopt a female Pyr if another alpha female is already present in the home, and we never adopt out two female pups together.

Training

Despite their formidable size and bearing, Great Pyrenees are extremely sensitive, easily traumatized dogs.   Never spank or beat a Great Pyrenees, and if you must shout loudly, reserve it for really dire transgressions.  A firm voice usually suffices to signal your disapproval. Pyrs are able to learn a large number of human words and phrases. Use language repetitively to teach your Pyr what you need.  Great Pyrenees respond well to rewards and praise.

 Whenever desirable behavior is achieved, praise lavishly, and rewards with treats.

Obedience training, repetition and consistency are key to strong Pyr owner leadership.  Patience is also vital in your partnership with your Pyr.  Some trainers will tell you that Pyrs cannot be trained. That is incorrect.  Pyrs can learn anything they need to. Great Pyrenees will always try to see what they can get away with. They will push that proverbial envelope- puppies even more so than adult dogs.  But a loving Pyr- human bond, firm leadership and a reward based training method will soon create a partnership you cannot imagine living without!

A loving bond and mutual respect are vital in your relationship with your Pyr. The more love and respect develops, the better your Pyr will listen to you.

Don’t attempt to force your Pyr to give up those instinctive, century old behaviors like barking and roaming. Your efforts will not meet with success and you will, traumatize your dogs. You will also not be able to train the need for pack leadership out of an alpha female Pyr.  Prepare yourself to provide mechanisms to accommodate these traits before you adopt your Pyr.

Grooming

Great Pyrenees are breathtakingly beautiful dogs, and their coats require a lot of care.  Pyrs shed year-round, so it’s a advisable to establish a weekly brushing ritual. The Pyrenees’ long guard hairs and thick undercoat are subject to matting and can then cause skin sores.

While it is acceptable to trim mats and tangles that may have become unmanageable, never shave a Pyr. The thick undercoat insulates your dog from extreme temperatures in summer and in winter, and once shaved, it rarely grows back properly.

Great Pyrenees have double dew claws on their hind legs. As a breed standard, these claws should not be removed, but need to be trimmed regularly. If not cared for, these curving nails might grow into the dog’s pad and cause a painful infection.

Family Vacations

When planning a vacation, please do not kennel your Pyr in a conventional boarding facility.  As guardians, Pyrs respond strongly to sensory input, and such facilities can easily over-stimulate your dog.   Pyrs have geen known to go “kennel crazy” from too many confusing noises and smells.

Ideally, you should plan to take your Pyr along on vacation. If you are unable to do that, hire a responsible, loving house/pet sitter and make sure your Pyr meets him/ her several times before your planned absence.

Nutritional Requirements/ Health

Pyrs are the longest lived among the giant breed dogs. In a loving, safe environment, their lifespan is documented to be between 11 and 14 years, we have known and heard of Pyrs living to 15 years of age.

Responsibly bred Pyrs have few inherent health problems.  Bone cancer and bloat are the most common killers of this breed. Pyrs can also develop hip and spine problems later in life. Skin allergies from environmental and food allergens have also been recorded in this breed.

For their size, Pyrs eat surprisingly small amounts of food. They are low-energy dogs with a low metabolism and require similar amounts of food as a setter or collie. I feed my dogs high quality large-breed kibble.  Free feeding is safe to do with most Pyrs, as they do not have a tendency to overeat and will regulate their weight well. This also reduces the danger of bloat.

General

Please remember that every dog is an individual. While I tried to emphasize the characteristics Pyrs have in common, you must realize that every Pyr is his/her very own  fur person.  My husband and I have fostered and worked with over 100 of these wonderful dogs and have never met two that were completely alike.

 Christiane Sikora, long time rescuer

Great Pyrenees Rescue of Montana

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Adapted from Great Pyrenees Rescue of Chicago

 

Interested in adopting a Great Pyrenees? Then you have already heard how marvelous they are....but they do have their shortcomings. Great Pyrenees have earned a reputation of being "willful and stubborn" animals. Many people say that this is not a good breed for first-time dog owners. However, if you are aware of, and accept, the negative breed traits, we promise that the positive traits will make Pyrenean ownership more than worthwhile. Are you up for the challenge? Please continue along as we investigate just how Great Pyrenees earned this reputation...

The Great Pyrenees as a Breed

The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty; possessing a keen intelligence and a kindly, while regal, expression. Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, the Great Pyrenees soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which they were bred, the strenuous work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.

In addition to their original age-old position in the scheme of pastoral life as protector of the shepherd and his flock, the Great Pyrenees has been used for centuries as a guard and watchdog. These animals appear so regal and calm that their very strong protective responses may come as a surprise. Pyrs are not “attack” dogs, but can be very intimidating to the surprised visitor… Firmly entrenched territorial instincts are the source of their protective behavior. It is an owner’s obligation to maintain a Great Pyrenees so that his guarding instincts can be exercised in a responsible way. The Great Pyrenees is a loyal guard dog that demonstrates a possessive attitude towards family, property, and livestock. The Great Pyrenees requires an owner who can be a strong, positive leader who consistently requires civilized behavior. Thus, it is necessary to SOCIALIZE the Great Pyrenees dog. Only a well-socialized and loved dog can become a good, useful watchdog.

Roaming

Pyrs are very independent, self-confident, “what, me worry?” types. They would rather see what’s on the other side of that hill than worry about getting lost. If you don’t keep a Great Pyrenees on a leash or in a properly fenced yard or kennel, sooner or later they will exercise their powerful instinct to establish and patrol a large territory and will run off, we promise you that. So you have 200 acres? The size of your acreage is not a natural barrier or deterrent. And they certainly do not look both ways when crossing streets either! No matter how expert your dog-training skills, you will not be able to “teach” a Pyr not to patrol a large territory, any more than a Retriever can be trained not to retrieve, or a Border Collie not to herd. Great Pyrenees are a guard dog by instinct, not by training! The world is a Pyr's to guard; thus, they should be kept on lead or in a securely fenced area at all times, not only for their safety and protection, but so that the dog does not become a liability.

Personality  

 

Great Pyrenees are very intelligent. This is often interpreted as severe stubbornness. Pyrs are accustom to working on their own, as they were bred to be left alone with the sheep up in the mountain valleys. Thus, unlike many other breeds, they do not always strive to please their owners. Things you consider important may not be the same things your Pyrenees considers important! Obedience training is a must, as is extreme patience. And don’t let some instructor tell you they can’t be trained; Great Pyrenees can do it, but they need to be convinced that it is in their own best interests to do what you ask.  “Because I said so” doesn’t cut it. If you want a dog that will follow your every command, or if you want a “competition” obedience dog, or if you want a great off-lead companion, the Pyrenees is probably not for you.

Great Pyrenees like to see just how much they can get away with, and then try to take it a few steps further. Often an adult dog is a better choice for some people, since puppies of any breed can push you to your limits, and a Great Pyrenees puppy will take it even further!

Pyrenees are very sensitive dogs, more so than other breeds, and loud yelling and physical punishment will traumatize your dog. Firm voices, constancy with your commands and a reward method are much better ways to deal with a wayward Pyr.

Because of their natural instinct toward protection, Great Pyrenees can develop an excessive barking problem. Your neighbors might find this behavior distasteful. An easy solution is to bring him/her into the house- it stops the barking.

Great Pyrenees shed non-stop year-round, making a weekly brushing a ritual. You will probably never again wear black. There are white hairs in Pyr homes and on Pyr people. And you will need a new high-powered vacuum cleaner...dog hair everywhere!

Caring for a Great Pyrenees is a labor of love.  Great Pyrenees REQUIRE affection, kindness and human companionship. A lonesome Pyr is a bored dog, and a bored dog can become destructive. Left outside unsupervised for long periods of time, a lonely Pyr will dig under the fence, unravel the fence, jump or climb over the fence, undo any childproof locks, open the gate, and surely bark endlessly.

Great Pyrenees are extreme introverts and suffer inwardly from any unkind words or act, and yet no dog can be more sensitive or sympathetic to human moods. Pyrs comfort their owners in times of sadness, with gentle understanding, and are always on hand when support is needed. One might ask no more reliable or sympathetic companion than the Great Pyrenees, and surely no more beautiful dog may be found. 

When a Pyrenees focuses on the affairs of their family, their powers of deduction are uncanny. Let something out of the ordinary happen, such as packing a suitcase, and a Pyr becomes all eyes and ears. A Pyrenees reads your dress and mannerisms as you read the evening paper — and for much the same reason: to find out what’s going to happen next. The difference is, the Pyrenees is usually right, and you aren’t!

Great Pyrenees generally get along well with other dogs and household pets. A Pyrenees would much prefer to ignore the harassment of a smaller dog and will usually fight only as a last resort. However, two mature Pyrenees of the same sex- often do not get along well together as house pets.  Female Pyrs tend to be alpha and also often do not get along with other females of any breed, unless they are fairly docile and submissive.

Certainly no other breed is more ideally suited for the role of child's companion and protector than is the Great Pyrenees. They regard their family's children as their own (or their "flock") and exhibit a truly built-in sense of responsibility in watching over them. Although Great Pyrenees are protective of their families, the breed does not recognize children as their "masters." In the company of well-behaved children, the Pyrenees seems sublimely happy, whether enjoying a romp, a tussle, a game of tag, pulling some kind of conveyance, or merely doing nothing but listening to their chatter. A loving home, especially one with small children, is "Pyrenees heaven!" As always, the relationship between children and dogs must be carefully supervised and monitored by adults. Please review the information entitled “Safety: Kids and Dogs” in your adoption folder.

Grooming

The Great Pyrenees dog requires standard care for coat, eyes, ears, pads and nails. Pyrs should receive a good brushing at least once a week. Nails, including those on the double dewclaws, should be routinely trimmed. A professional grooming is recommended once every three to four months. A Great Pyrenees should never be shaved, unless a medical reason exists for doing so. The skin underneath their coat is pink and susceptible to sun-burn and lesions (when the protective coat is missing). Great Pyrenees tend to have little "doggy" odor. As a general rule, Pyrs will only drool when they are eating, begging, panting excessively, and/or drinking water. Although uncommon in the breed, Pyrs with a poor bite structure can drool more.

Habits

Pyrs will nap where they can keep track of the entire household — a spot in the home where they can monitor all exits and, while feigning sleep, know exactly what is transpiring in all corners. Great Pyrenees have a universal habit of lying against doors which open inward against them, but never lie against doors which open outward away from them. Nobody surprises a Pyr!

In your yard, your Pyr will find an elevated spot from which to survey her kingdom- to better protect you and your family.

Food

The food requirements of the Great Pyrenees are a constant source of wonder to the novice in the breed. Due to a calm nature and a low metabolism, the breed requires, when mature, about the same amount of food as a Setter or a Collie, and far less than many smaller more active breeds.  For information on bloat prevention, please see the document entitled “Bloat in Dogs” in your adoption folder.

Lifespan/ Health

As a breed, Pyrs are remarkably healthy and long-lived. All dogs should be kept fit and trim to eliminate unnecessary health problems. Great Pyrenees have few major genetic problems and usually live to be 10-14 years old in a normal, safe environment. By natural-born instinct, Great Pyrenees guard their home and family with devotion and wisdom, and it is in this environment they will thrive, safe and secure in the feeling they are a beloved family member.

Obedience Training with Your Pyr

Selecting the correct obedience class is important, especially for the beginner. Does the trainer seem helpful and interested in your dog? Has the instructor worked with a wide variety of breeds in the past, including giants? Be aware that there is a wide range of approaches to obedience; some like to use only praise and reinforcement, while others advocate very strong physical correction in the training process. Punishment and fear are not teaching tools. Schutzhund training is not encouraged nor recommended for this breed.

The best instructors emphasize positive reinforcement and recognize each dog is an individual. A trainer that insists that your Pyr will respond exactly like a Golden Retriever is setting you up for frustration. To ensure an instructor's training methods are consistent with your own expectations, we strongly encourage you to audit a few instructional lessons given by said instructor before employing them for obedience instruction. Look for happy students, friendly staff, positive methods, and articulate instruction. Be sure to ask personnel for their educational backgrounds that would allow them to teach people and train dogs professionally, including national recognition for work in the field. We urge you to select your training instructor/school carefully so you and your dog do not become victims of inept or overly harsh instruction. Training should not be something you do to your dog. Training should be something you do with your dog.

Great Pyrenees are lethargic dogs and they execute commands very slowly. You must be patient but firm. They may growl in defiance of your commands. You must never allow a Great Pyrenees to bully you.

These are very strong and stubborn dogs. They require a firm ( but gentle) hand when training. Come When Called and Down are the two hardest commands for the Great Pyrenees to learn because of their stubbornness. More often than not, you will be required to physically retrieve your Pyrenees from the yard and lead them indoors. This breed needs to be motivated in training. Use a lot of praise, and have plenty of hot dog morsels on hand! Motivate and reward sensibly.

Heel will be a problem, due to the breed's size and strength. Sit is a difficult command for any giant breed and will be performed slowly and with some difficulty. This must not be mistaken for stubbornness. This breed works slowly, so work at a more leisurely pace and be firm.

Pyr owners need to keep in mind the traditional role that Pyrenees were bred to fulfill — that of flock guardian. Pyrenees roamed the mountains with their flocks, and had to be alert to danger. Intelligence, independence, and physical toughness were prized. Flock guardians also needed to be still most of the time (so as not to spook the sheep), while being able to explode into quick action in defense of their charges. While each dog is an individual, these common breed traits have implications for trainers:

Intelligence — Pyrs are quick learners, but they bore easily. Once the basics of an exercise are learned, the average Pyr will become turned off by repetition. Vary your lessons and avoid "drilling" or pattern training. Throw in new lessons to pique your dog's interest. Keep lessons short — a few minutes once or twice a day. If one training method is not working, do something different! If you are not having fun, your dog is not having fun! Make a promise to yourself and your dog that you will not lose YOUR attitude! Take the extreme emotion out of training. Work on controlling any negative body language or harshness in your voice, and be fair.

Stillness — Stand-stay, sit-stay, and down-stay (providing you can get a 'down' out of your Pyr!) are generally easy to teach because Great Pyrenees are calm by nature. However, keep in mind sheep guardians tend to move at a leisurely pace. (The Shepherds and Goldens in your obedience class may well drop to a 'sit' in 2 seconds, while your Pyr is still positioning its body to do so...) They can be very quick and agile when they want to be, but they often don't see the point. This can translate into lagging when heeling, and very slow recalls. Inject as much fun as possible into your training.

Independence and alertness — Pyrs are often very sensitive to new environments. They may choose to ignore you as they focus on an unusual sight or sound. Expose your Pyr to lots of different situations in practice (known as proofing).

Physical toughness — No one technique or method is right for every dog. You may need to experiment with collars and leads to get your Great Pyrenees to respond accordingly. Try a range of training methods and equipment, including more positive and upbeat approaches, until you find the mix that's right for you and your dog. Show your dog what to do, teach your dog a name for that action, and reward your dog when s/he performs it properly. The rewards you use should be something important to your particular dog: a special food treat, toy, happy tone of voice, ear rub, or a scratch on the chest. Do not correct your dog until your dog understands what it is that is expected. Gently help him/her into position with your hands, or with a treat/toy. Tailor any correction to your particular dog. A correction should be enough to get your dog’s attention, and no more. Less is better. If you and the dog do not enjoy training 99% of the time, you are doing it wrong. Don't get caught up in trying to permanently "fix" a problem in one day. Every performance is not a reflection of you as a trainer, or of your dog's ability. Everybody — dogs and people — have off days, but they should be the exception, not the norm.

Great Pyrenees tend to have very little "chase" or "retrieve" instinct. Pups rarely engage in retrieving games. If you have a pup that shows any interest in fetch games, foster it! And even if you don't, patience and praise can help you cross even this gigantic hurdle.

HAVE FUN! Don't always take yourself or your Pyr too seriously.

All responsible dog people, no matter what breed they "fancy," will tell you that basic obedience training is crucial for developing a happy relationship with your pet. It is even more important when you own a large guardian breed. Owning a dog should be a complete pleasure, and it can be, if the dog and handler are obedience trained!