Great Pyrenees Dog

The Great Pyrenees is said to have descended from the first flock guardian dogs, making it an extremely old breed of dog. This breed comes from a flock of large white dogs that existed in Asia Minor about 10,000 B.C. Nomadic shepherds took this flock to the Pyrenees Mountains around 3,000 B.C., thus contributing to the name of the Great Pyrenees. These dogs acted as livestock guardians for many centuries. During medieval times in France, the Pyrenees had become a frightening fortress guard and eventually became the pride of many large chateaus. This breed caught the eye of French nobility in the late 1600s and in 1675 was dubbed the “Royal Dog of France” by Louis XIV. During this same time, the breed came to Newfoundland, and eventually made its way to American in 1824. By the 1900s, the Great Pyrenees had faded away from French country life. Interest in the breed also declined in England, but fortunately still existed in great quantity and quality in its native mountain land. These are the dogs that founded the creation of the modern Pyrenees. The breed received AKC recognition in America in the 1930s and attracted great attention to new owners. Today, the Great Pyrenees adorns reasonable popularity.

It is obvious from its appearance that the Great Pyrenees is a very large dog. Males of this dog breed range anywhere from 110 to 120 pounds and 27 to 32 inches. Females, even though they are smaller than the males, are still of great size as well, ranging from 80 to 90 pounds and 25 to 29 inches. The Great Pyrenees coat is mainly white, but can have different shades of gray, red, or tan around the face, ears, and occasionally on the body and tail in some places. As this dog breed grows older, its coat tends to grow thicker and the varying colors of the coat start to fade. As a double-coated breed, the Great Pyrenees' undercoat can also have color, along with the skin showing some color as well. This breed's nose and eye rims are often seen as jet black. On occasion, gray or tan markings are seen, but mainly in Europe.

The Great Pyrenees is a notably accomplished and impressive guardian for a dog breed. This breed is extremely devoted to its family and tends to be somewhat cautious of strangers, whether they are humans or other dogs. When not irritated, the Great Pyrenees is a very peaceful, well-behaved, and often serious dog breed. This breed of dog is known for its gentle nature with its family, especially children. It has a strong, independent and almost stubborn personality, causing it to potentially try to control a less sheltered owner. The Great Pyrenees should always be on a leash when away from its home because it is known to wander. This bred also tends to bark a lot.

The Great Pyrenees depends on daily exercise in order to stay in proper shape. However, the exercise does not need to be excessive or extreme. As long as it is taken on a moderate walk daily, the Great Pyrenees is satisfied. This breed of dog particularly loves hiking with its owners, especially in colder weather and snow. That being said, the Great Pyrenees does not like or do well in hot weather. It can contently live outdoors in temperate to cold weather. However, if it had the choice, this breed would prefer to be indoors with its family. The Great Pyrenees needs its coat brushed at least once or twice weekly. However, when it is shedding, its coat needs brushed daily. The Great Pyrenees is known to drool at times and also tends to be a messy drinker.

The Great Pyrenees has a life span of ten to twelve years. There are a variety of health concerns associated with the Great Pyrenees. Some of the major health concerns include CHD and patellar luxation. Some of the minor health concerns associated with the Great Pyrenees include entopion, OCD, skin problems, osteosarcoma, cataract, chondrodysplasia (dwarfism), and panosteitis. Gastric torsion, otitis externa, and spinal muscular atrophy are also occasionally seen in the Great Pyrenees. It is highly suggested to get hip and knee tests with this breed. Hip dysplasia is also often seen in the Great Pyrenees dog breed. If your dog develops hip dysplasia, you will often be able to notice right away due to him limping on his hind end and his back legs acting weak. You may even notice your dog hopping like a rabbit when he tries to run or hesitating when he comes to a set of stairs. This is caused by the pain he is feeling in the hind quarters of his body. It is extremely important as an owner to makes sure you take care of your pet properly in order for him to stay in the best shape possible to avoid certain health problems.