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Great Pyrenees Dogs and Puppies (Greatpyrenees)

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Your Online Guide To Everything Great Pyrenees

Breed Brief - History - Appearance - Temperament - Exercise - Grooming - Training - Health
Is Breed Right For Me? - Breeders/Puppies For Sale - Dog Names - Pictures - Further Info - Clubs/Rescues

great pyrenees dog puppy pyrenean mountain dog puppy
Example of a beautiful Great Pyrenees Dog

The Great Pyrenees: Le Grande Chien des Montagnes

The Great Pyrenees is a beautiful and elegant-looking giant. Known as a very affectionate and gentle dog, he is a proud and noble animal who possesses the perfect mixture of traits to make a wonderful family addition.

Common Misspellings for Great Pyrenees

Great-Pyrenees, Greatpyrenees, Greatpyreness, Greatpyreneese, Graetpyrenees, Greatpyernees, Greatpyranes, Greatpyrenesse, Greatpyrneese, Greatpyrnies

Alternate Names For Great Pyrenees

Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Pyrenean Mtn Dogs, Pyrs, Great Pyrs

Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Brief

Origin: Believed to be Central Asia or Siberia, though most development has occurred in France

Height: 25-27 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 85-100 pounds

Exercise Needs: Moderate

Grooming Needs: Moderate

Life Expectancy: 9-11 years

Good With Kids: Yes

Trainability: Easy 

Great Pyrenees History

The Great Pyrenees puppy is much more than a bundle of white fluff. He is a dog that can trace his mysterious origins clear back beyond the Bronze Age. The fossilized remains of this magnificent breed have been found in Europe, as far back as 1000 B.C., though it is believed he much older than that. In fact, some theories claim that he originally came from frozen Siberia or perhaps from Central Asia, migrating into Europe with the ancient people.

Regardless of where his origins lay, it is known that the Great Pyrenees developed into the magnificent animal he is today, while maturing along the slopes of the Pyrenees Mountains and the vast pastures of France. Having a dog that was able to fend of the various wild animals that would prey upon the flocks was essential, and so the Great Pyrenees was bred for this purpose. Choosing animals that showed an incredible degree of devotion, intelligence, loyalty and courage, the shepherds bred this dog to watch over their flocks and their families; a job which the Great Pyrenees took to heart and performed with loving abandon.

The first pair of Great Pyrenees ever to be brought into the United States were given as a gift, from General Lafayette, to a good friend by the name of J.S. Skinner. This was in 1824, but the breed would not be recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1933. Today, they remain a favorite of the working class.

Great Pyrenees Appearance

picture of a great pyrenees dogThe Great Pyrenees is like the giant white cloud of the canine world; a medium-boned and yet powerfully built dog, he is muscular and strong without seeming bulky and should always appear well-balanced. Their eyes are intelligent, dark brown and almond-shaped, while the ears of the Great Pyrenees seem rather small, overall and should lay close against the head.

The coat of the Great Pyrenees can often be deceiving, as it tends to make the dog seem much larger than he is, particularly in males. Sporting a large ruff around the neck and shoulders, it often makes the dog appear very heavy in the front, and the long feathered legs adds to an appearance of excess length. The Great Pyrenees’ tail is a great plumed sight to behold and, when he’s happy, is sure to wag and show you just how happy he really is. Great Pyrenees’ most common color is white, though they can also have markings of tan, red-brown, badger or grey.

Great Pyrenees Temperament

Great Pyrenees are known for being very devoted and affectionate dogs. Rarely aggressive, they are wonderful with both children and animals. Raised for the purpose of tending flocks, as well as providing a companion animal, they are very close-knit and grow very attached to the human members of their family. This can, however, lead to protectiveness in regards to property or people, so it is best to always be cautious.


Equally important to remember is that the Great Pyrenees can also be a very excitable breed of dog.  If not properly trained and allowed to grow bored, these beautiful dogs can often develop various neurotic or destructive behaviorisms.  This is not a breed of dog that will contentedly lay around the house and allow himself to be forgotten.  A Great Pyrenees needs regular mental stimulation, as well as physical exercise, in order to keep him from getting bored and frustrated with his living arrangements. 

Great Pyrenees Exercise Needs

The Great Pyrenees does not require an excessive amount of energy, though they do enjoy getting out for a couple of lengthy walks per day or enjoying a swim on hot days. Dog parks are another favorite for many Great Pyrenees puppies, where they are allowed a chance to mingle and socialize with other dogs. For the most comfort, it’s suggested that you at least have a fenced in yard for your dog to exercise in.

 

Great Pyrenees Grooming Requirements

The Great Pyrenees is not as high maintenance as some breeds, but he does require that his coat be combed out at least once or twice a week, in order to remove any tangles that could potentially mat up. This should be done slowly and with great patience, so as to be sure not to pull or scratch his skin. Special attention should also be paid to the dog’s ears, checking for any sign of dirt or debris, as well as ensuring there is no odor, which can signal an infection.

The Great Pyrenees only needs to be bathed once a month or as needed in order to keep him clean and smelling great. Toenails can sometimes prove daunting, but accustoming your Great Pyrenees to it as a puppy will help make the job easier.

Great Pyrenees Training

The Great Pyrenees can sometimes have a bit of a stubborn streak particularly during their juvenile, or teenage periods. However, once you move past that, he’s a very engaging dog that is usually very eager to learn. Starting them in basic obedience at a young age will help to keep them in control when they start hitting those rebellious and clumsy teenage years, as well as when they start to pick up a substantial amount of weight. In addition to obedience, the Great Pyrenees can also be taught to compete in obstacle events which many of them delight in. It's often said that, whatever his human is doing, that's what the Great Pyrenees loves to do the most.

 

Great Pyrenees Health Information

Like any breed of dog, the Great Pyrenees is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Great Pyrenees puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Great Pyrenees Dogs include:

  • Bloat
  • Canine lymphoma
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Entropion
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
  • Osteosarcoma

 

Breed Brief - History - Appearance - Temperament - Exercise - Grooming - Training - Health
Is Breed Right For Me? - Breeders/Puppies For Sale - Dog Names - Pictures - Further Info - Clubs/Rescues

Is the Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Right For You?

The Great Pyrenees is a wonderful dog for either a single person or a family. Good with children and animals alike, they are known to make great companions and are very loving individuals. However, like with any dog, there are a few drawbacks: The size of the Great Pyrenees can be very intimidating, nor are they appropriate animals for apartment-living. Additionally, they do require weekly brushing and, while they only shed once a year, it can be a lot of free-floating white hair.

If you don’t mind a few stray white hairs and you’ve got lots of room to move around, then why not talk to some breeders of quality Great Pyrenees puppies? You’re sure to find one that will steal your heart!

 

Finding A Responsible Great Pyrenees Breeder

Now that you have decided that the Great Pyrenees is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Great Pyrenees breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Great Pyrenees puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Great Pyrenees breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Great Pyrenees breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Great Pyrenees breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Great Pyrenees puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise. 

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Great Pyrenees Names

Choosing a name for your Great Pyrenees puppy can be a daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for your Great Pyrenees. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Great Pyrenees puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this popular subject.

We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name for your new Great Pyrenees puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for their new baby!

Great Pyrenees Pictures

Great Pyrenees are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at Great Pyrenees pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you decide if you really want to become an Great Pyrenees owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Great Pyrenees dogs, Great Pyrenees puppy photos, funny Great Pyrenees photos and more. Enjoy! 

Additional Great Pyrenees Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Great Pyrenees dog breed. We've compiled a list of Great Pyrenees information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Great Pyrenees dog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of an Great Pyrenees information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Great Pyrenees breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.

Great Pyrenees Clubs and Rescues

Great Pyrenees clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even more about the Great Pyrenees dog breed, help you locate a responsible Great Pyrenees breeder, or help you find an Great Pyrenees dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of Great Pyrenees clubs and Great Pyrenees rescues web sites for your convenience:

Breed Brief - History - Appearance - Temperament - Exercise - Grooming - Training - Health
Is Breed Right For Me? - Breeders/Puppies For Sale - Dog Names - Pictures - Further Info - Clubs/Rescues

 

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Page Summary: Great Pyrenees facts and information. Informative Great Pyrenees dog breed information profile includes the Great Pyrenees history, appearance, temperament, health issues, training and grooming needs and much more. Includes Great Pyrenees pictures and photos, as well as information on finding a responsible Great Pyrenees breeder offering puppies for sale. (Greatpyrenees) facts info.