| Description: The Great Pyrenees is recognizable for | | | | be around their family and will protect the pack |
| its thick white coat, and its large strong body. | | | | family at any cost. They are an obedient dog but |
| Standing between 25 and 32 inches, in height and | | | | due to the fact they can be independent and |
| weighing anything between 80 and 120 pounds, with | | | | stubborn at times, training them isn't always easy. |
| males being larger than the females. Their coat is | | | | They are good with children and get on shockingly |
| weather resistant, with a long coarse and flat outer | | | | well with cats. They are a loyal and friendly dog they |
| coat, while having a shorter and dense undercoat. | | | | can sometimes be wary of strangers and unfamiliar. |
| They have a wide skull with flat cheeks and dark | | | | Health Issues: Like many of the large dogs, the Great |
| eyes above their dark nose. They have a broad and | | | | Pyrenees is prone to the most common problems |
| deep chest with a tail that is well feathered and can | | | | that all big dogs face. These include hip dysplasia, so |
| be carried low, or curled over the back. They also | | | | always make sure that the dog and its parents have |
| have dew claws, one on each front leg and on their | | | | been officially checked, bloat (this is where their |
| hind legs they have double dew claws. | | | | stomachs twist causing gas to build up and can be |
| History: The Great Pyrenees is a French dog thought | | | | fatal if immediate medical attention is not sought). |
| to have originated from either Asia or Siberia. Up until | | | | They can also suffer from bone cancer and luxated |
| the time of the French revolution it was even the | | | | patellas, in very hot or tropical conditions they can |
| official dog of the royal French court. It is primarily a | | | | also develop skin problems. Their average life |
| livestock guardian dog, and is still used for this to this | | | | expectancy is around 10 years. |
| day, but they have also been used as sled dogs, cart | | | | Grooming: To keep a Great Pyrenees looking its best |
| pullers, and in avalanche rescue. It is thought to be a | | | | it will need to be brushed regularly, they can shed all |
| descendant of the Hungarian Kuvasz and the | | | | year round, but shed heavily once a year. During this |
| Maremman Abruzzese. It is also one of the breeds | | | | time even more attention will be needed. Although |
| which were used to develop the St. Bernard. They | | | | their coat does not generally matt, any burrs or |
| originally lived in the Pyrenees mountains, on the | | | | debris caught in the hair can cause matting so it's |
| border of France, where they were used as working | | | | important to check them regularly. They should only |
| dogs, as they could cope with the cold temperatures | | | | be bathed when necessary and a dry shampoo |
| there. | | | | would be better if more regular bathing is required. |
| Temperament: The Great Pyrenees is a kind and | | | | It's also important to thoroughly brush their |
| gentle dog, though at times they can be stubborn. | | | | undercoat to remove any loose or dead hairs. |
| They are an intelligent and sensible dog. They love to | | | | |