Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenees or Pyr, is a big and majestic dog known for its noble look and strong love for its family. Originally from the Pyrenees Mountains in France and Spain, they were bred to guard livestock, like sheep and goats, which they still do very well today.
These gentle giants guard not only animals but also people, kids, plants, and anything they think is part of their territory.
Great Pyrenees are very loyal, especially to children. They might be cautious with strangers, but they’re not usually mean without a good reason. Because they’re independent and protective, it’s important to teach them social skills and manners early.
Training them can be tough because they’re smart and like doing things their way. They also bark a lot. So, you’ll need to be patient and show them who’s boss. But they’ll love you back with all their heart and keep you safe.
When getting a Great Pyrenees, it’s best to adopt from a rescue shelter to give a loving home to a dog in need. But if you want a puppy from a breeder, make sure you find a good one. Responsible breeders make sure their dogs are healthy and happy.
They do health checks and make sure the dogs grow up in a nice place. This way, you’ll bring home a happy and healthy pup and help stop bad breeding practices.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breeds History
The Great Pyrenees breed originates from the Pyrenees Mountains, which serve as a natural boundary between France and Spain. He’s called different names in different places: Great Pyrenees in the U.S. and Canada, and Pyrenean Mountain Dog in the U.K. and most of Europe.
His family history goes back a long time, about ten to eleven thousand years, starting from dogs in Asia Minor. They came to the Pyrenees around 3000 B.C., where people bred them to help shepherds with their sheep.
Originally, the Great Pyrenees was considered a dog for common people. But in 1675, a royal declaration in France changed that. The French nobility started using Great Pyrenees to guard their estates.
The first Great Pyrenees came to North America in Newfoundland, Canada. There, they were mixed with Newfoundlands, creating a breed called Landseer Newfoundlands.
In the 1800s, the Great Pyrenees became popular in England, Europe, and the United States. They were even bred with St. Bernards in Switzerland to help restore the St. Bernard breed.
Unfortunately, in their homeland, the Pyrenees breed started to decline due to bad breeding practices.
The two World Wars affected dog breeding a lot. Thankfully, before World War II closed off Europe, some Great Pyrenees were brought to the U.S. After the war, breeders worked hard to bring the breed back, and today, Great Pyrenees are well-loved all over again.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Size and Weight
The Great Pyrenees size is truly impressive, as these dogs are known for their large stature and affectionate demeanor. Usually, males stand around 27 to 32 inches tall, and females are slightly smaller, ranging from 25 to 29 inches in height.
In terms of Great Pyrenees weight, male Great Pyrenees typically weigh between 100 to 160 pounds, while females generally weigh between 85 to 115 pounds.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Personality
The Great Pyrenees is usually calm, gentle, and friendly. Shyness, aggression, and nervousness are not okay, so it’s essential to socialize them a lot when they’re young. With training, they behave well and are gentle, though they can be serious at times.
They are brave and loyal to their family, making them great companions. They’re also comforting and love being therapy dogs. They are smart and can solve problems on their own, which means they think independently and can be stubborn. They are good at guarding but are still friendly, calm, and gentle.
Like all dogs, Great Pyrenees need to meet lots of different people and experience various things when they’re young. This socialization helps them become well-rounded adults.
Taking them to puppy classes and introducing them to visitors and different places like parks and stores will help them learn social skills.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Grooming
Great Pyrenees dogs have a lot of fur, but they don’t need too much grooming because their fur doesn’t get dirty or tangled easily. Their fur has two layers: a long outer coat and a soft undercoat.
They shed a lot of this undercoat, especially during certain times like spring, after giving birth, or after being in a dog show. Owners often joke that it’s like a snowstorm when they shed.
To reduce the amount of hair that ends up everywhere in the house, it’s a good idea to brush them well at least once a week using a pin brush or slicker brush. It’s also important to trim their nails regularly because long nails can make them uncomfortable.
And don’t forget about their teeth. Brushing their teeth regularly with special dog toothpaste helps keep their mouth healthy.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Nutrition
Some Great Pyrenees owners notice that their dogs don’t eat as much food as you might expect for their size. But if another dog tries to take their food, they’ll gobble it up quickly.
It’s best to feed them high-quality dry dog food made for big dogs, with low protein levels. This breed can be prone to a serious condition called bloat, where the stomach gets bloated and twisted.
Experts aren’t sure exactly why it happens, but feeding them several small meals a day and avoiding intense exercise around mealtime might help prevent it.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Health Issues
Ethical breeders who specialize in Great Pyrenees have shown great dedication to keeping the breed healthy. The Great Pyrenees Club of America emphasizes the importance of testing all dogs for various health problems that can impact the breed. These include issues like:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Luxating patellas
- Neurological and Immune-related disorders
Some Pyrenees may also develop cancers or bloat, a dangerous condition where the stomach suddenly swells and may twist. It’s crucial for all Pyrenees owners to learn about the signs of bloat and what steps to take if their dog experiences it.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Exercise
Great Pyrenees dogs are not very active. They were bred long ago to protect livestock like sheep from wolves, bears, and people who might harm them.
When they’re working, they’ll keep an eye on their territory, but they save their energy for protecting the animals they care for. Going for walks with their owner is enough exercise to keep them in good shape and feeling content.
Besides walks, Great Pyrenees dogs can also stay mentally and physically fit by doing other activities like obedience trials and pulling carts. These activities help keep their minds and bodies active and healthy.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Training
Great Pyrenees dogs were bred to think for themselves and work without needing someone to tell them what to do. They’re smart, but they don’t really care for typical obedience training.
They might seem uninterested and take their time doing things like sitting or staying when you ask them to. They show their boredom by doing tasks very slowly.
However, it’s still a good idea to start training them early and get them used to being around other dogs in puppy classes. This helps them become polite and friendly companions.
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Rescue
Great Pyrenees are sometimes adopted without people knowing how to care for them properly. As a result, many of these dogs end up needing new homes and are taken in by rescue organizations. If you want to adopt a Great Pyrenees, starting with a rescue group is a good idea.
Here are some rescue groups you can contact:
Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Facts
- Origin: The Great Pyrenees comes from the Pyrenees Mountains, which are in both France and Spain.
- Size: These dogs are big, with males usually standing 27 to 32 inches tall and weighing 100 to 120 pounds. Females are a bit smaller, around 25 to 29 inches tall and 85 to 100 pounds.
- Great Pyrenees Lifespan: They typically live 10 to 12 years.
- Coat: Great Pyrenees have a thick, fluffy coat in white, sometimes with gray, tan, or yellow markings. Their fur is soft underneath and long on top.
- Great Pyrenees Temperament: They’re known for being calm, loyal, and good with kids and other pets. They’re also great guard dogs.
- Exercise needs: They need moderate exercise, like walks, to stay healthy and happy.
- Training: While smart, they can be stubborn, so it’s best to train them with positive methods.
- Health: Generally healthy, but they can have issues like hip dysplasia and bloat.
Note: You can find great Pyrenees puppies for sale at reputable breeders or adoption centers. If anyone wants to learn more about pets read our articles at harpersatelier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Great Pyrenees so Cheap?
Great Pyrenees puppies that are bred and raised with care usually come with a higher price. If someone is selling them for much less than usual in your area, it’s likely they haven’t put in the same effort or attention into breeding and raising them.
What is the Great Pyrenees Size in Feet?
The typical size of a Great Pyrenees can vary, but on average, they stand between 25 to 32 inches (2.1 to 2.7 feet) tall at the shoulder.
What are the Common Great Pyrenees Behavior Problems?
Common behavior problems in Great Pyrenees include stubbornness, overprotective guarding instincts, roaming tendencies, socialization challenges, digging, and excessive barking. Training, socialization, and providing proper outlets for their energy are essential for addressing these issues.
What is the Great Pyrenees Bite Force?
These dogs have an average bite force of about 500 pounds per square inch (PSI)! That’s even stronger than Rottweilers and Pitbulls.
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