Great Pyrenees - Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees Temperament

A gentle, friendly, and affectionate breed, the Great Pyrenees loves the companionship of humans, and is a great choice for a family pet for those that have adequate space for this giant dog to get some exercise. The Great Pyrenees is very intelligent and quick to learn, and is a courageous and protective dog that makes for a good watchdog. These dogs can be stubborn and very independent, which makes them more suited to those with some experience of dog ownership. Although generally quiet and inactive indoors, these dogs love to release some of their pent up energy when outdoors, and love to play and enjoy a range of outdoor activities.

The Great Pyrenees gets on well with children when raised with them, but their size can prove a problem when it comes to very small children. He is gentle and protective with children. He will usually be protective of other animals in the household too, but may chase strange animals away. It is important to be assertive and confident with the Great Pyrenees, as he can otherwise assume leadership and become bossy. Early obedience training and socialization are important for this breed. The Great Pyrenees is a dog that likes to wander off and explore, so you should ensure that he is always in a secured area with appropriate fencing or on a leash.
Great Pyrenees Appearance

The coat of the Great Pyrenees is long and coarse, and has a dense but fine undercoat. The coloring of the Great Pyrenees is white, although some may have markings in gray, reddish brown, or tan. This giant dog looks cuddly because of his long coat, but actually has a sturdy build and carries himself with elegance and dignity. He has a sweet and gentle expression. The weight of the Great Pyrenees is around 85-130 pounds, and the height is 25-29 inches for females and 27-32 inches for males.
Great Pyrenees Grooming

When it comes to grooming you will need to brush the coat of the Great Pyrenees on a weekly basis, and you will need to keep the eyebrows trimmed so that the dog can see properly. You will need to step up the grooming when he is shedding more heavily, which is twice yearly. The Great Pyrenees is a very heavy shedder, and is therefore not suited to those with allergies.
Great Pyrenees Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Great Pyrenees is around 8-12 years, and there are a number of health problems that are associated with the breed. This includes elbow dysplasia and HD, luxating patella, entropion, cataracts, bleeding problems, and spinal problems. The parents of the Great Pyrenees puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Great Pyrenees History

The Great Pyrenees originates in France, and was used to guard sheep from predators in the Pyrenees Mountains. They were also used to draw sleds. The Great Pyrenees was registered with the AKC in 1933.

# AKAPyrenean Mountain Dog, Chien des Pyrenees, Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees
# SizeGiant
# Ease of trainingLow/Medium
# GroomingLow
# SheddingHigh
# Exercise neededDaily walk
# Energy levelLow/Medium
# ProtectionHigh
# Good with childrenYes, especially when raised with children
# Health clearancesOFA, CERF, vWD
# Popularity58/155