History
The Great Pyrenees (also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog)derives its name from the Pyrenean mountain range in the Basque country between northern Spain and southern France. It was there, watching over flocks of sheep and goats, the breed began its long history as a guardian dog. French writers tell us that as early as 1407 they were used to guard the Chateau of Lourdes. In 1675 French King Louis XIV adopted the breed as the Royal Dog of France, Quenn Marie Antoinette and in 1850 Britain’s Queen Victoria also owned one.
In England, The Pyrenean Mountain Dog was first registered and shown in 1885, with a preservation club being formed in 1907 designed to help preserve and boost their dwindling numbers. Until this time, the Great Pyrenees had been known strictly as a working dog. It wasn't long however before its breath-taking beauty began captivating the show rings. In 1911, the President of the French Republic awarded the French champion Porthos with the prize of being the most beautiful dog in all of France. Throughout the early 1900's, with the big white dog's numbers dwindling, several attempts were made to try and re-establish the breed. Several Great Pyrenees breed clubs were formed, including the Reunion des Amateurs de Chiens Pyreneens in 1920, a club which still exists to this day. In 1927, the club established the first breed standard for the Great Pyrenees, which has been used as the basis for all other standards to this day. The breed was re-introduced to America in 1931 by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Crane and were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a purebred race in 1932. Since that time, the breeds numbers have slowly increased, with more and more responsible breeders ensuring its survival.
Physical Characteristics
Their principally white, large and muscular body structure defines the dog as a captivating and elegant breed.
Working Group
Males are 27 – 32 inches (some as large as 36”) at withers, around 110 - 140 pounds
Females are 25 – 29 inches at withers, around 85 - 110 pounds
Full body maturity is reached at 2 – 2 ½ years
Average litter = 6 puppies
Average life span is 8-10 years
Weight is relative to height, so a very large Pyr (32"+) can weigh in upwards of 160lbs+. Overly large size dogs lead to increased health problems and shorter life span, so the size has been reduced somewhat over the centuries, which gives the Great Pyrenees an over-average life expectancy for a large breed, at 10-12 years.
Physically, it was bred for strength and endurance and for this reason, it will usually conserve its energy until it needs it. The breed is naturally nocturnal, preferring to sleep during the day and be active at night, patrolling the yard or property.
The Pyr has a heavy, primarily white double coat, that consists of a soft undercoat combined with a thicker outer coat. The double coat provides a waterproof barrier from wind, rain, snow, sun as well as also providing protection from the teeth of predators. The breed will shed the undercoat once a year in the spring, which will require some extra attention to ensure it is raked out to avoid mats. The breed coat also possesses dirt resistant qualities, allowing it to shed dirt from its coat very easily once dry, returning it to its usually white appearance. The working dog, its coat dirty and matted many times looks much differently than the look of the dog we see in show rings.
One of the breeds trademarks are double spurs, or dew-claws on the back legs, which are complete with 2 extra toes. It also has a single set of dew-claws on the front legs. These claws do not come into contact with the ground and so require periodic trimming to avoid becoming ingrown.
Their coats are white and can have varying shades of gray, red (rust), or tan around the face (including a full face mask), ears and sometimes on the body and tail. As Great Pyrenees mature, their coats grow thicker and the longer colored hair of the coat often fades on those dogs that were not born completely white. Sometimes a little light tan or lemon will appear later in life around the ears and face. Being a double-coated breed, the undercoat can also have color and the skin as well. The color of the nose and on the eye rims should be jet black.[5] Grey or tan markings that remain lend the French name, "blaireau," (badger). All white dogs are not preferred by top breeders for many reasons. White dogs in most breedings are less frequent. It's not unusual that breedings that result in a high incidence of all white puppies do not have the required jet black pigment on the nose and eye rims. These breeding lines are therefore not, as a rule, desirable in well-bred stock. There are generally all white puppies in most litters. This is normal and these all white puppies can be bred successfully in the hands of a competent breeder.
Character:
The Great Pyrenees has a deep devotion to its family and home, but also an inborn instinct to guard and protect. While massive in size, they tend to be big babies and are very sensitive, requiring only positive reinforcement training methods, they are not easily trained for obedience. This is an intelligent breed that commands respect, but also makes wonderful pets. Although boisterous up to the age of about two, once a Great Pyrenees has reached full maturity it will be placid by nature and calm around the house. They make wonderful, loyal companions and are indoor dogs despite the common misperception that they require a large yard and lots of space. They tend to have mellow, easy going temperaments and are very low maintenance when it comes to exercise. In nature, the Great Pyrenees is confident, gentle and affectionate. They are strong willed, independent and somewhat reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal their charges both human and animal.
A Serious working dog
Without question, the Great Pyrenees is a hardy working animal, bred primarily as a livestock guardian for shepherds, their flocks and families. The dog's imposing size, strength, courage and resistance to the elements proved invaluable to shepherds.. Wild dogs, bears, wolves, coyotes, as well as many birds of prey and other predators have over the centuries learned to respect the big white dogs and give them a wide berth. The Pyrenees is 100% a fearless guardian dog, quite capable of convincing nearly any predator, even humans, that threaten or endanger their flock have found themselves on the wrong side of a Great Pyrenees, which is not at all a desirable position to be in.
It's natural calm and placid temperament was a working requirement allowing them to roam freely among their flocks without alarming them. Its natural ability to sense danger, highly intelligent, it is completely capable of making independant decisions, it requires no human intervention while in the field, which was also a work requirement as the Great Pyrenees often protected hundreds, if not thousands of acres of open, rugged and often harse and mountainous farmland, fending off any and all predators it encountered. The breed's effectiveness as a livestock guardian is completely instinctive. As such, as a livestock guardian, it generally requires little training beyond socializing the dog with its flock at an early age.
The Great Pyrenees defines his territory as "as far as his eye can see." He will run off if not contained by a fence or leash. They will bark to raise the alarm of someone on their turf, things you will never even know exist, especially at night. The Great Pyrenees possess a very keen sense of sight and smell and is constantly very aware of its surroundings. This tends to make the Great Pyrenees slightly aloof around strangers and out of the ordinary situations. A strange noise coming from a nearby bush for example may cause the Pyr to jump back several inches out of range. This is an instinctive action, as the Great Pyrenees were bred to be very observant and possess quick reflexes so as not to be caught unaware by a stalking predator.
Training
It is easily trained, however the breeds strong independence may at times require extra training and proper socialization. Simply put, it is NOT the sit, stay, roll-over, fetch type of dog and will usually pass on such activities as in the Pyr's mind, it does not see the point in such tasks and sees it as a waste of energy. Most Great Pyrenees can be trained for most routine things, such as sit, stay, come as well as agility work and carting, however it is rare to see a Pyr that will respond instantly to its owners command, regardless of how well trained it is. Due to a combination of lethargy and stubbornness, they tend to take their sweet time obeying your commands. They like to see what they can get away with. If the owners desire and the Pyr's desire conflict, it may take a small re-enforcement, such as a gentle pull on the leash.Early obedience training is necessary, because you do not want to end up in a wrestling match with a giant Pyrenees.
Family Dog
They are protective, even possessive, of their family, property, and livestock. This dog will make protecting you his life goal. He will want to be with you as much as possible so that he can know where you are and what you are doing at all times. The Great Pyrenees is a highly intelligent and very perceptive breed. It is capable of sensing even the most subtle mood change in both humans and animals
Great Pyrenees do well with children and seem to have a built-in sense of responsibility for watching over them. Of course, all children need to be taught how to behave around dogs. The Pyrenees are loving and affectionate with their families: gentle, patient, and calm. They get along well with other dogs and household pets. They are remarkably sensitive and sympathetic to your emotions and will comfort you when you need it. In turn, they require affection, kindness and human companionship. The Great Pyrenees has a unique personality and its temperament towards people is very loving and affectionate in a very independent way. It usually has very little desire to run around and jump up on people, but rather will many times simply push their heads or bodies towards you to encourage a pet. They are very effective at soliciting attention from you at times using their bodies and paws to attract your attention. Very little is as effective at getting your attention than a size 13 Pyr paw on you. At other times, they are quite content to lay in your yard in a location where they can keep you in view. A bored or lonesome Pyr can be destructive. Pyrs should be exercised daily and they make great walking partners, as they tend to walk along beside you calmly instead of pulling you across town
Their calm nature also allows them to be trained for therapy work as well, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Great Pyrenees help to en-richen the lives of those they meet.
