Knowledge Of The Great Pyrenees Dog Breed

Knowledge Of The Great Pyrenees

• Breed Group: Working 
• Height: 25 to 32 inches at the shoulder 
• Weight: 85 to 115 pounds 
• Life Span: 10 to 12 years

This beautiful white dog features a heritage as a flock guardian, but lately, he’s primarily a loving family companion. He’s big, smart, and strong-willed, so it takes a special person to be ready to train him effectively.

Breed Characteristics

Overview

The Great Pyrenees was once referred to as the royal dog of France and, together with his stunning white coat and imposing presence, is taken into account to be one among the foremost beautiful breeds. His heritage is that of a flock-guarding dog within the Pyrenees mountains of France and Spain. instead of herding sheep or other livestock, it had been his job to guard them against predators like wolves. the work involved an outsized, powerful, brave, and wary dog. He worked independently, often on his own for days or weeks at a time, and is unaccustomed to taking tons of orders.

These days, the Great Pyrenees is primarily a family companion, although some still find employment as livestock guardians. the Great Pyrenees has many good qualities, but he's not the simplest dog to measure with. If you would like a relaxed, protective Great Pyrenees at his best, be prepared to try to tons of homework to seek out him and to place in much effort training and socializing once you bring him home.

The Great Pyrenees may be a flock-guarding breed who is placid within the home and delicate with children. He features a watchful, protective nature and is more serious than many dogs. he's only moderately active. a few of short or moderate leashed walks daily will satisfy his exercise needs. If you're keen on the outside, the Pyr’s mountain heritage makes him an honest hiking companion.

Sounds great, right? Not so fast! the Great Pyrenees require a securely fenced yard which will prevent him from roaming and attempting to enlarge his territory. he's not a candidate for off-leash walks. While he thrives in weather, he's sensitive to heat. And he drools. Be able to wipe his mouth after he drinks so he doesn’t drip.

This is an enormous breed. That cute little white ball of fluff will get older to weigh 85 to 115 pounds. Because they're guardian dogs, Great Pyrenees are suspicious as a rule. they're going to graciously admit anyone you invite into your home, but intruders or unexpected visitors will get a really different, far more intimidating reception. If none of that fazes you, a Great Pyrenees maybe your dog of choice.

Other Quick Facts

• The Great Pyrenees combines beauty with power. he's an outsized white dog with an extended, thick double coat, a sort expression, dark brown eyes, and a plumed tail which will curve into a “shepherd’s crook” at the top.
• The Great Pyrenees are good at pulling carts and may earn titles in drafting.
• In France, the Great Pyrenees is nicknamed Patou, a word sense shepherd.

The History of The Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees originated as a flock-guarding dog within the Pyrenees Mountains of France. Working in partnership with the shepherd and therefore the smaller Pyrenean Shepherd, he watched over flocks and guarded them against predators like wolves and bears.

Dogs like the Great Pyrenees descend from ancient mastiff-type dogs. Their white coats allow them to blend in with the sheep they protect, the higher to catch a predator all of sudden. They wore heavy iron collars with spikes for cover.

Famed for his or her bravery, the dogs were drafted as guardians for chateaus. one among the earliest mentions of them was in 1407 by a historian named Bourdet, who wrote that they guarded the chateau at Lourdes, located within the Pyrenean region of southwest France. Later, King Louix XIV became an excellent admirer of the dogs and made them a part of his household guard.

The first Great Pyrenees came to us in company with the young country’s great friend the Marquis de Lafayette, who was also a noted dog fancier. It wasn’t until quite a century later, though, that the dogs were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933. Today the Great Pyrenees ranks 71 st among the breeds registered by the AKC.

The Basics of Great Pyrenees Grooming

The Great Pyrenees features a beautiful double coat of white or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish-brown or any shade of tan. The coat sheds dirt and resists forming mats or tangles, but there's tons of it. Expect to spend approximately half-hour weekly brushing it to get rid of dead hair and keep it clean and healthy. Pyrs do shed, so regular brushing will help reduce the number of white hairs floating around your house.

The rest is basic care. Clean the ears and trim the nails as required, and bathe the Pyr when he’s dirty. Brush the teeth for overall healthiness and fresh breath.

Finding the Great Pyrenees

Whether you would like to travel with a breeder or get your dog from a shelter or rescue, here are some things to stay in mind.

Choosing an excellent Pyrenees Breeder

Finding a top-quality breeder is the key to finding the proper puppy. an honest breeder will match you with the proper puppy and can have done all the health certifications necessary to sort as many problems as possible. He or she is more curious about placing pups within the right homes than making a pile. Be wary of breeders who only tell you the great things about the breed or who promote the dogs as being “good with kids.”

Reputable breeders will welcome your questions on temperament, health clearances, and what the dogs wish to accept. they're going to come right back at you with questions of their own about what you’re trying to find during a dog and what quite a life you propose to supply . an honest breeder can tell you about the history of the breed, explain why one puppy is taken into account pet quality while another isn't, and discuss what health problems affect the breed and therefore the steps were taken to avoid them. A breeder should want to be a resource for you throughout your dog’s life.

Look for more information about the Great Pyrenees and begin your look for an honest breeder at the web site of the Great Pyrenees Club of America. Choose a breeder who has agreed to abide by the GPCA’s code of ethics, which prohibits the sale of puppies to or through pet stores and involves the breeder to get hip clearances on dogs before breeding them.

Avoid breeders who only seem curious about how quickly they will unload a puppy on you and whether your MasterCard will clear. Breeders who offer puppies at one price “with papers” and at a lower cost “without papers” are unethical. you ought to also bear in mind that purchasing a puppy from websites that provide to ship your dog to you immediately is often an adventure because it leaves you no recourse if what you get isn’t exactly what you expected. Put a minimum of the maximum amount effort into researching your puppy as you'd into choosing a replacement car or expensive appliance. it'll prevent money at the end of the day.

Lots of reputable breeders have websites, so how are you able to tell who’s good and who’s not? Red flags include over availability, multiple litters on the premises, a choice of any puppy, and therefore the ability to pay online with a MasterCard. Those things are convenient, but they're almost never related to reputable breeders.

Whether you’re getting to get your new ally from a breeder, a pet store, or another source, don’t forget that old adage “let the customer beware”. Disreputable breeders and facilities that affect puppy mills are often hard to differentiate from reliable operations. There are no 100% guaranteed thanks to confirming you’ll never purchase a sick puppy, but researching the breed (so you recognize what to expect), finding out the power (to identify unhealthy conditions or sick animals), and asking the proper questions can reduce the probabilities of heading into a disastrous situation. And don’t forget to ask your veterinarian, who can often refer you to a reputable breeder, breed rescue organization, or other reliable sources for healthy puppies.

The cost of a Great Pyrenees puppy varies counting on the breeder’s locale, whether the pup is male or female, what titles his parents have, and whether he's best fitted to the show ring or a pet home. The puppy you purchase should are raised during a clean home environment, from parents with health clearances and conformation (show), and, ideally, working titles to prove that they're good specimens of the breed. Puppies should be temperament tested, vetted, dewormed, and socialized to offer them a healthy, confident start in life.

Before you opt to shop for a puppy, consider whether an adult Great Pyrenees might better fit your needs and lifestyle. Puppies are a lot of fun, but they require tons of your time and energy. An adult may have already got some training and can probably be less active, destructive, and demanding than a puppy. With an adult, you recognize more about what you’re getting into terms of personality and health and you'll find adults through breeders or shelters. If you're curious about acquiring an older dog through breeders, ask them about purchasing a retired show dog or if they know of an adult dog who needs a replacement home. If you would like to adopt a dog, read the recommendation below on the way to do this.

Adopting a Dog from Great Pyrenees Rescue or a Shelter

There are many great options available if you would like to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization. Here is the way to start.

1. Use the online

Sites like Petfinder.com and Adopt-a-Pet.com can have you ever checked out the Great Pyrenees in your area in no time flat. the location allows you to be very specific in your requests (housetraining status, for example) or very general (all the Pyrs available on Petfinder across the country). AnimalShelter can assist you to find animal rescue groups in your area. Also, some local newspapers have “pets trying to find homes” sections you'll review.

Social media is another good way to seek out a dog. Post on your Facebook page that you simply are trying to find a selected breed in order that your entire community is often your eyes and ears.

2. Reach bent Local Experts

Start talking with all the pet pros in your area about your desire for a Great Pyrenees. that has vets, dog walkers, and groomers. When someone has got to make the tough decision to offer up a dog, that person will often ask her own trusted network for recommendations.

3. ask Breed Rescue

Most people who love Pyrs love all Pyrs. That’s why breed clubs have rescue organizations dedicated to taking care of homeless dogs. the Great Pyrenees Club of America’s Rescue Network can assist you to find a dog that will be the right companion for your family. you'll also search online for other Great Pyrenees rescues in your area.

The great thing about breed rescue groups is that they have a tendency to be very upfront about any health conditions the dogs may have and are a valuable resource for advice. They also often offer fostering opportunities so, with training, you'll bring a Great Pyrenees home with you to ascertain what the experience is like.

4. Key inquiries to Ask

You now know the items to debate with a breeder, but there also are questions you ought to ask shelter or rescue group staff or volunteers before you bring home a dog. These include:

• What is his energy level?
• How is he around other animals?
• How does he answer shelter workers, visitors, and children?
• What is his personality like?
• What is his age?
• Is he housetrained?
• Has he ever bitten or hurt anyone that they know of?
• Are there any known health issues?

Wherever you acquire your Great Pyrenees, confirm you've got an honest contract with the vendor, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on each side. Petfinder offers an Adopters Bill of Rights that helps you understand what you'll consider normal and appropriate once you get a dog from a shelter. In states with “puppy lemon laws,” make certain you and therefore the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.

Puppy or adult, take your Great Pyrenees to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian is going to be ready to spot problems and can work with you to line up a preventive regimen that will assist you to avoid many health issues.