Great Pyrenees

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Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees dog breed‘s goal in life is to protect sheep, goats, livestock, people, children, grass, flowers, the moon, the lawn furniture, bird feeders, and any real or imaginary predators that may intrude on your personal space. Oh yeah, and to give, give, and give unconditional love. Anyone who has seen this stunning white dog becomes enamored. What’s not to like? He has a strong build, a beautiful, thick coat, and he exudes elegance and majesty. One look and you can see the intelligence and steady temperament that many seek in a good family dog.

The Great Pyrenees was originally developed to guard flocks alongside shepherds. These days he usually works with people, often in therapy and rescue work. This is a dog who loves the sport of carting.

The Great Pyrenees is an intelligent dog who is used to working on his own and figuring things out for himself. This can be a wonderful trait, but having a mind of his own can also create some training challenges.

Many folks feel safer with a Great Pyrenees in their home, but it's worth reemphasizing that he's a dog who requires lots of socialization, starting as early as possible. If he doesn't receive it, he can become aggressive or fearful, and he may not allow nonfamily members into your yard without (or even with) your permission. That may sound kind of cool until you stop receiving mail and your friends refuse to come over.

Everyone who lives with a Pyr should have a set of ear plugs. He barks a lot, because that's his job. He'll vocalize — loudly — to ward off pesky intruders, and he's got a broad definition of intruders. He will bark even more at night because of his extraordinary senses of sight and sound, which enable him to detect coyotes, deer, wolves, raccoons, bear, and possum (all of which must be protected against). His vocal styling will definitely scare them away and keep the family and property safe.

The Great Pyrenees is a wonderful breed who is affectionate and gentle, hardworking and independent. He can be a devoted family companion or a conscientious career dog. His pride is evident in the regal way he carries himself. Make no mistake — he has a job to do, and he loves to do it.

Highlights

o             The Great Pyrenees is okay in apartments because he's mellow. But homes with large yards are better.
o             If you want a dog you can walk off leash, this may not be the dog for you because of his independent thinking and wandering tendencies.
o             Expect some shedding on a constant basis and at least one major shedding period per year. On the up side, the Great Pyr only requires about 30 minutes of brushing a week.
o             A Pyr can be difficult to train because of his ability to think on his own. He's not a good match for new or timid dog owners, because he needs consistency and a strong owner who will socialize him and train with positive reinforcement.
o             He's a wonderful watchdog for the family, but he needs socialization to keep from becoming shy or aggressive to both dogs and people.
o             He thrives with his family and should live inside the house. He can become bored and

destructive when separated from his family or left to live out in the backyard.
o             A Great Pyrenees is generally loving and gentle with younger creatures, so he's a wonderful dog for families with children.
o             He's a hard-core barker and is not recommended for homes where his barking can disturb others.
o             Great Pyrenees do best in cooler climates, but don't clip his hair during hot weather. His coat insulates him and keeps him cool, so when you shave the hair you compromise his natural protection from the sun.
o             He needs exercise, but not as much as you'd think — 20 to 30 minutes a day is fine.
o             He has a double dewclaw that should not be removed but should be kept trimmed.
o             To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store.

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Element	Rating
Adapts Well to Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather
Affectionate with Family
Friendly Toward Strangers
Amount Of Shedding
Size
Intelligence
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential