Great Pyrenees
Quick Facts:
Group Classification: Flock Guard, AKC Working
Country of Origin: France
Date of Origin: 1800 B.C
Weight M: 100 pounds
Height M: 27-32 inches
Weight F: 85 pounds
Height F: 25-29 inches
Life Expectancy 10-12 years
History
The Great Pyrenees is regarded as one of the oldest of the natural breeds and is believed to have been in existence since 300BC. This dog breed was developed in the rugged Pyrenees mountains and is believed to be a descendant of the Mastiff dogs that are presently found in the North Sea coasts and the Baltic areas. The dog shares some relation with the Hungarian Kuvasz, Newfoundland and the St. Bernard. Also referred to as the Pyrenean Mountain dog, they were initially used for protecting flocks of sheep from wolves and bears; the dogs also pulled sleds. When the dogs are on top of the mountain they resemble moving snow drifts. The very first pair of the Great Pyrenees dog breed set foot in the US in 1824. By 1933, the dog received recognition as a working group member from the America Kennel Club.
General Description
This dog is large and has a regal expression. It has a broad chest, a broad back and a good muscled body. The Great Pyrenees has a wedge shaped body and drooping ears. Its tail is well plumed and long. However, the most striking feature is undoubtedly its coat, which is double, water resistant, and thick. The outer coat is thick and flat and lies on straight hair. There is an abundance of the coat on the shoulders and neck, giving a ruff or mane impression that is more pronounced in males than in females. The dog has feathered rear and front legs. It is usually white in color but may have yellow, tan or gray patches. The more the resemblance the Great Pyrenees bears to a brown bear (apart from its color and drooped ears) the more perfect it is considered to be.
Temperament
The Great Pyrenees is gentle, devoted and confident. It is an ideal imposing and territorial guardian who is very protective of his family and flock but is quite reserved with humans, strangers and other people. Unless it is provoked, the dog maintains a quiet composure and is both tolerant and patient with children if raised with them from their puppy stage. They are strong-willed dogs who are very independent and this may make it quite a task to train them. The owner should socialize the dog when it is still young so that they do not become aggressive with other house pets. These dogs have a habit of barking a lot and must therefore be trained on patience. They are quick learners but get bored easily and repetition tends to turn them off quickly. They reach maturity at age two. The Great Pyrenees makes a good companion dog for families with large yards.
Health and Care
This breed is free from most of the health problems dogs suffer from, except for hip dysplasia and they can develop skin problems in hot weather. The long coat must be brushed on a weekly basis to stop it from matting. The breed requires plenty of exercise for them to keep fit and when they are not guarding the flock they should be taken for a long walk daily.
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