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Great Pyrenees Are Wonderful Guard Dogs But Can They Make Great Pets Too? Our Vet Shares Her Thoughts
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Great Pyrenees overview
Close up of Great Pyrenees dog
Life expectancy: 10–12 years years
Size: 27-32 inches (male); 25-29-inches (female)
Coat: Tick, double coat
Temperament: Patient, gentle, affectionate, stubborn, confident
Exercise needs: Up to an hour daily
Origin/native country: France/Spain
Having originated in the Pyrenees Mountains as far back as the 15th century, Great Pyrenees were bred as flock guardians. Their large size ensured they were a formidable presence which, coupled with their ability to suddenly spring into action when faced with potential danger, made them effective guardians.
Their strength and stamina also made them suitable for pulling sleds or carts and they were once a familiar sight delivering milk in France and Belgium.
In more recent times, they've become relatively popular pets and families love their protective, affectionate nature. But as we'll see in this guide – put together with the aid of expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan – Great Pyrenees are not without their challenges.
Does a Great Pyrenees need a lot of exercise?Great Pyrenees dogs don't have an abundance of expendable energy. In fact, they are one of the sleepiest dog breeds and they can spend much of the day on the ground with their eyes closed, having forty winks – and they can even do so if it's lashing down with rain.
This allows them to conserve sufficient energy to deal with any potential danger when guarding livestock from potential predators. But it also means you won't be burdened with having to take them for lengthy walks.
"Like many giant breeds of dog, the Great Pyrenees only need moderate amounts of exercise," Dr MacMillan says.
Still, as the definition of an outdoor dog, you may still need to get out and about.
"Around 30-60 minutes of good activity per day is recommended, depending on their age and health status," Dr MacMillan says.
Allow this breed to roam around a large, safe, secure area, however, and you can reduce the amount of time you need to spend on exercising. Great Pyrenees also love to pull carts given their natural inclination to work.
Are Great Pyrenees easy to train?Great Pyrenees are inherently protective but they are also of fair intelligence. According to professor of canine psychology Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs, Great Pyrenees will only obey the first command 30% of the time and it'll take as many as 80 repetitions to get them to understand a new command.
"This dog was bred to work independently from its owner, meaning that they can be stubborn and like to make their own decisions sometimes," says Dr MacMillan. "This can make training challenging for a novice. But with the right consistent and positive approach it is achievable. Just keep sessions short to avoid them getting distracted."
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Do Great Pyrenees make good family pets?Great Pyrenees can make good family pets.
"That is due to their affectionate and gentle nature," says Dr MacMillan. As such, they will form a strong bond with their owners and they'll also be great with children, even small ones.
But since Great Pyrenees are herding dogs, they have an innate drive to protect their flock – and that includes their human family members. This can pose a problem if you have visitors.
"Great Pyrenees were originally bred to guard sheep and they can be protective over their owners," Dr MacMillan explains. "But early socialization and training are essential to make sure that these dogs are comfortable with visitors and strangers."
The main thing to be aware of is a Great Pyrenees' tendency to bark at pretty much anything they see.
"Young children may find their loud bark and size a bit intimidating, but they are known for being patient and loyal dogs," Dr MacMillan adds.
Do Great Pyrenees need a lot of grooming?You only need to take one look at a Great Pyrenees to work out that they could be a bit of a grooming handful.
"These dogs take a bit of maintenance," Dr MacMillan says. "They have a thick double coat which can easily become matted without frequent brushing."
You will need to get handy with the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair because Great Pyrenees are a breed that sheds a lot.
"This dog sheds moderate amounts all year round, with a couple of heavy seasonal blow outs," Dr MacMillan says. "Great Pyrenees are not a hypoallergenic breed for this reason."
With regular maintenance, however, you will head off most problems – and with a towel handy you can keep on top of one of the biggest droolers. Keep their nails short and keep the scissors going over certain parts of their fur.
"You might choose to trim the hair regularly, especially to keep their fluffy feet and ears in check," Dr MacMillan says.
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Common Great Pyrenees health problemsGreat Pyrenees are generally healthy but inherited joint disease is common.
"Elbow and hip dysplasia can cause joint abnormalities leading to painful lameness and the early onset of arthritis," Dr MacMillan says.
This breed can also suffer from inherited dwarfism.
"This is called chondrodysplasia, but choosing your puppy from a breeder that health screens and only mates healthy dogs could greatly reduce the risk of these conditions being passed this on to their offspring."
Neuronal degeneration is another inherited disorder common among Great Pyrenees.
"Signs can begin when puppies are less than a year old," says Dr MacMillan. "It may start mild with symptoms, such as tripping or dragging a paw, but it will eventually progress until the dog is no longer able to walk. There is no cure for this, but genetic screening tests are available."
Finally, giant dogs with deep chests are at increased risk of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).
"In this condition the stomach bloats and becomes twisted on itself. This condition is fatal without prompt veterinary treatment."
Should I get a Great Pyrenees?Great Pyrenees are suitable for potential owners with plenty of space – they'll do very well on a farm, for example, where they can work guarding livestock or in situations where they can pull a cart (it's why they are among the best farm dogs).
They are also great with families – young children will love them and you'll feel happy at the lengths they'll go to ensure they're safe. But given how inactive they can be, they won't particularly fit in well with owners who want a buddy to accompany them on long walks and adventures. And if you're after a low maintenance breed, you should also look elsewhere.
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Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Great Pyrenees: What To Know - WebMD
Great Pyrenees dogs are elegant and perceptive dogs.
Great Pyrenees are large, heavy-coated dogs. They're a working breed developed to keep wolves and other predators away from the flocks of sheep they protected. Today, these dogs are chill companions who are faithful to their duty to protect their family and home. Great Pyrenees have a calm demeanor, but they can quickly act if threatened.
Great Pyrenees exude elegance, grace, and majesty. They're large dogs and the average image of a dog with a snow-white coat. However, some individuals have badger, gray, or various shades of tan in their white coat. Great Pyrenees' temperament is intelligent, kind, and protective.
Great Pyrenees are large dogs. Males can grow to between 27 and 32 inches tall, and females are between 25 and 29 inches tall. A full-grown male can weigh 100 pounds and up, and females weigh slightly smaller at 85 pounds and up.
Great Pyrenees are calm dogs who guard the family by roaming around carefully. They have intelligent, wise, and independent personalities. Great Pyrenees' traits are easy-going with strong instincts.
The best climate for this breed has cooler temperatures. Great Pyrenees are adaptable to different environments, but their heavy coat can make them overheat on hot days. If your dog is outside on a hot day, you might find they have dug a hole to lie in to get closer to the cooler earth.
Great Pyrenees are highly perceptive dogs and can sense subtle mood changes in humans and animals. This is how they determined if there was a threat to their flock. For these reasons, your Pyrenees will need early, patient training. They also need a good deal of socialization.
Great Pyrenees are known to save their energy during the day and be more active at night. This can lead to barking and late-night activity, especially if they live outside.
The Pyrenees coat is dirt and tangle-resistant. So there's not a lot of required grooming.
Their primarily white double coat is soft underneath and thicker on the outside to protect them from wind, rain, snow, and sun. Their undercoat sheds once a year, typically in spring. Weekly combing or raking of the coat keeps their fur and shedding in check. They also need their ears checked frequently, and teeth brushed daily.
Great Pyrenees are born with double dewclaws. These are two extra toes on the inside of their back legs. These claws don't touch the ground, so they can become ingrown if not maintained by trimming. The extra toes are typically connected by bone and shouldn't be removed unless a medical condition requires it.
Great Pyrenees will conserve their energy, which was once used to fight predators that threatened their flock. All they need now is moderate exercise like a good walk to keep them happy and healthy. They also need mind exercises, so obedience trials and training sessions help them feel fulfilled.
Some individuals don't seem to eat much food in relation to their size. High-quality dog food formulated for larger breeds is good for them. To avoid the digestive system difficulties to which they are prone, try feeding your dog multiple small meals each day. Make sure they're not running around or doing strenuous activity around mealtime.
Monthly heartworm prevention and flea and tick control are essential for your dog. Caring for larger dogs can get expensive. Prepare to pay more for grooming, preventative treatment, and any developed chronic conditions. To help keep your dog in good health, make sure your dog gets their routine annual vaccinations and exams at the veterinarian.
The American Kennel Club has called out a few conditions that breeders should test for. These include:
Bloat. Like most deep-chested dogs, Pyrenees can experience bloat, where their stomach fills with gas. Should the stomach further twist onto itself into a volvulus, called gastric dilatation and volvulus, the condition becomes life-threatening and needs to be addressed immediately. The signs of GDV include:
There is a surgery called gastropexy that can be done to minimize the risk of GDV occurring.
Some cancers also occur in Pyrenees. Your vet can monitor and screen any growths during your annual checkups. However, if you notice new masses you should talk to your vet earlier. If you notice your dog acting differently, you should call your vet to see if you need to bring them in.
Canine hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, affects this breed. This endocrine disorder happens where the adrenal glands do not secrete enough steroid hormones. Some signs include:
Great Pyrenees with Addison's disease are treated by hormone replacement. This treatment is lifelong and costs can add up for this large breed.
Your Pyrenees can develop common eye conditions like cataracts and entropion. Cataracts are often seen in older dogs. Entropion is a genetic condition that causes the eyelid to grow inward and eyelashes to rub against their cornea.
Other health problems like skin problems, spinal muscular atrophy, and otitis externa can occur.
Getting regular hip, knee, and eye exams at the vet can help identify any early signs of issues.
Pyrenees were bred to be independent and work without guidance. This level of intelligence is great for them to pick up on things quickly, but it also works against you when you're trying to train them. If they don't feel like sitting, heeling, or staying, they won't. If they're bored with you, they'll let you know by slowly responding.
Despite some stubbornness, your Pyrenees needs early puppy training and socialization to help them be well-adjusted and well-mannered.
Great Pyrenees are natural guardians. They instinctively nurture and care for their flock or family. They are gentle giants that are primarily kind and patient with vulnerable animals. They were bred to protect their flock at night, making the breed nocturnal. They often bark at night as opposed to during the day. This can be great for keeping unwanted strangers away from the house while you sleep.
Great Pyrenees are guard dogs and very protective of the children in their families. They don't understand roughhousing or play fighting, and if they think their child or owner is being attacked, they'll respond to the situation. This could result in harm to visitors or your children's friends.
A fenced-in yard is essential when considering adding a Pyrenees to your family. They like to roam and can stray off property if not in a secure location. An above-ground fence at least five feet tall should suffice.
Barking is a Great Pyrenees' first line of defense. Many Pyrenees have been surrendered due to incessant barking outside. Noise complaints from neighbors can prompt legal action, so you'll need to consider your living situation before bringing a Pyrenees home.
Great Pyrenees learn a lot about their role in a household with other dogs. They look to the older dogs to teach them the proper behavior for work and as pets. Great Pyrenees are not people-pleasers. They learn more from interacting with other dogs. That's why socialization is so important.
Great Pyrenees are an old breed. They were bred centuries ago to help shepherds and work alongside herding dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains. Their job was to watch the flock and protect it from wolves, bears, livestock rustlers, and other predators.
By the 17th century, they became the royal dog of France in King Louis XIV's court. This happened after they proved themselves as guardians of the estate.
In the early 19th century, these dogs became household names in mountain towns. They were bred in the mountains to endure the steep mountainous range and then taken to other parts of France.
The breed can be dated back to 3,000 B.C. Because their fossils have been found in the Pyrenean Mountains. They likely came with the shepherds to the area, and fossils in the area were dated between 1800 B.C. And 1000 B.C. Experts believe they evolved from white mountain dogs that originated in Asia Minor more than 11,000 years ago.
The Pyrenees breed was so coveted that Queen Victoria of England owned one in the mid-19th century. Queen Victoria owned many different breeds of dogs throughout her life.
It was a French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War who first brought the breed to the United States. The Marquis de Lafayette, a close friend of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, brought the first Pyrenees to the U.S. In 1824.
By 1870, Pyrenean blood was used with other large dog breeds to help revive St. Bernard numbers. The St. Bernard breed had been pretty depleted by avalanches and distemper in Switzerland.
Great Pyrenees also answered the call of duty during World War II by bringing artillery supplies over the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France.
This breed has a long history, and they've shown time and time again how great they are as nurturers and defenders. They would make great additions to your household and fit into their role as protectors.
Great Pyrenees Dad Takes Things "too Far" When Playing With Puppies
A Great Pyrenees dog playing a little too roughly with his puppies has melted hearts online.
In a viral TikTok video, posted under the username @sparklesdragonmaster, Vito initiates playtime with his two puppies, Rip and Hank, who are a little unsure about their dad's excitable energy.
The dogs' owner, Susan Onorato from Sadieville, Kentucky, told Newsweek: "Vito absolutely loves to play, so when there is anyone available, he is all about it. He will play like this with my husband and I."
Photos of the Great Pyrenees Vito and his two puppies. The dad has captured viral attention for his hilarious playtime with Rip and Hank. Photos of the Great Pyrenees Vito and his two puppies. The dad has captured viral attention for his hilarious playtime with Rip and Hank. Sparklesdragonmaster/TikTokThe Great Pyrenees, sometimes known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1933.
With a thick coat, these working dogs from France were bred to deter predators such as wolves to protect farmers' sheep. The breed grows as tall as 32 inches at the shoulder and has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Alongside the video that has been viewed 1.4 million times, Onorato wrote: "When dad is super fun but takes it too far."
The two puppies, Rip and Hank, in the clip were part of a litter of 10 and have since gone to their new homes, but the video has delighted the internet.
One TikToker wrote: "Ma'am you have polar bears in your living room," while another posted: "Just like a dad to get them all riled up before bedtime."
"Not the scardie clouds," commented another viewer. "That's the cutest thing I've seen all year."
According to the AKC, the Great Pyrenees, loved for its fluffy white coat, ranks highly in being good with other dogs and young children, but it isn't surprising the puppies are a little taken aback by Vito's lively nature as males can weigh up to 100 pounds or more.
"I can't handle the floof," read one delighted reply, while another TikToker wrote: "He's just teaching them one of life's lessons."
Another reply read: "Those marshmallows are clearly being harassed by that yeti."
"First time seeing Great Pyrenees puppies," posted one viewer. Another wrote that the video was their "new favorite TikTok EVER."
Onorato said she wasn't expecting her clip to gain so much attention. "I just love posting videos of my dogs and horses," she added. "I am actually shocked at the reaction to the video! I really just post them for fun."
Vito is far from the only dog-father to capture viral attention. In 2022, a canine's hilarious reaction to meeting his puppies went viral when he was joking dubbed a "deadbeat dad."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.Com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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