The Great Pyrenees is a large breed of dogs that was originated in the Pyrenean Mountain, between the natural border of France and Spain. So, they were also called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog outside North America.

Great Pyrenees Dog Breed were originated and used as a livestock guardian dog. They are often confused with the Pyrenean Mastiff.

Origin & History

​The Great Pyrenees were bred to work with the shepherds and herding dogs in the Pyrenees Mountain which forms a natural border between France and Spain.

The Pyrenean’s job was to watch the flock and deter predators such as wolves, bears or livestock rustlers. They were very patient livestock guardians and looked after the sheep sitting atop a freezing-cold mountain for days.

The Great Pyrenees was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933 and currently ranks 71st among all the dog breeds registered by AKC.

Are the dogs child-friendly?

Yes, the Great Pyrenees is a child-friendly breed and the dogs love to be around the children forming a very close bond. They are very gentle and calm, they love the affection that they get from the children.

A Great Pyrenees with a kid. Image Source: Instagram@karaskbm

The Great Pyrenees is a flock-guarding dog who is very gentle with kids. They are very protective of the ones they love and are fearless when protecting them. These dogs can be a very wonderful companion for your kids.

Behavior, Temperament & Personality

The Great Pyrenees are strong-willed and patient dogs that are very good at guarding livestock. They are very consistent dogs that’ll not hesitate to look after their owner’s property for a very long time.

A White Great Pyrenees with his owner. Image Source: Instagram@hannah_caitlyn_t

A capable and imposing guardian, the Great Pyrenees is very devoted to its family and it is wary of strangers. The breed is calm, well-mannered and somewhat serious when not provoked.

The Great Pyrenees is a well-mannered, serious dog known for their great devotion to their family. They are relatively independent by nature. These dogs love to play and their favorite time to play is after a good snow.

Trainability

The Great Pyrenees were bred to be independent thinkers and capable of taking decisions on their own. So, training the Great Pyrenees can be a great challenge, even for experienced owners.

A white Great Pyrenees being trained.

Consistency and strong leadership are the keys to the successful training of the Great Pyrenees. Positive reinforcement with treat and praise can motivate your Great Pyrenees to listen to you. Early socialization is also equally important for fruitful results while training.

Facts

Here are some facts about the Great Pyrenees breed that you would want to know:

  • The Great Pyrenees were bred to be guard dogs.
  • They are also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog.
  • They were declared the Royal dogs of France.

Size

A male Great Pyrenees dog is 70–82 cm tall with a weight of 50-54 kg. Whereas a female Great Pyrenees dog’s height is 65–74 cm having a weight of 36–41 kg.

Health issues in the Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years old. During their lifetime, they suffer from various health issues. Some of the health conditions that these dogs are prone to are mentioned below:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition caused by the malformation of hip joint of the dog’s body. The Great Pyrenees are very likely to suffer from this disease.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia is also an inherited condition caused by the abnormal growth and development which results in malformed and weakened elbow joints.

Cataracts

Cataracts cause opacity on the eye lens resulting in the poor vision and the injured dog’s eye will have a cloudy experience.

Color Patterns

The Great Pyrenees are found in four different colors. They are as follows:

  • White
  • Tan
  • Red
  • Grey

Price of Great Pyrenees

A healthy mother Great Pyrenees gives birth to 7-10 puppies at a time. You’ll have to spend $1400 to $5000 approximately for a Great Pyrenees puppy depending on the purity of the breed.

Cute little Great Pyrenees puppies. Image Source: BF&E ORGANICS

Which dogs are they similar to?

Some dog breeds that are quite similar to the Great Pyrenees in terms of appearance are as follows:

Visit Doglime for more dog breed information and their behavior.

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