Great Pyrenees

Description:

The Great Pyrenees is an elegant mixture of form and function. Their bodies are slightly longer than they are tall with the bone structure to compliment their size. The head is slightly rounded at the crown and wedge shaped at the muzzle. Their eyes are dark brown and almond shaped, adding to their expression of intelligence. Their ears are medium in size and carried close to the head at eye level in a V-shape. They have a smooth muzzle which blends nicely into their head. The bite can either be scissor or level. The tail is plumed and carried low when relaxed and high or curled over the back when excited. The Great Pyrenees has a thick double coat to protect it from harsh weather. The outer coat can be either straight or wavy but is always coarse, long, and thick. The undercoat is wooly and dense. The coat gives the dog a mane around the neck and shoulders and is shorter on the face and ears. The back of the legs are feathered and the tail has a plume. The coat may be white or white with gray, badger, reddish brown or tan markings. 

Temperament:

The Great Pyrenees is courageous and loyal, protective of its family and wary of strange humans or dogs. It is affectionate and gentle with children if raised with them from puppyhood. The Great Pyrenees is an independent breed and may try to dominate an insecure owner. They are serious workers, but may be stubborn so serious, consistent, and firm training is a must. They also must be socialized from an early age to prevent aggression toward other animals. Some cannot be trusted off leash, as they tend to roam freely. As one would expect of a dog long used as a guardian of livestock, the Great Pyrenees is quite a barker. The dog also drools. 

Caring for a Great Pyrenees:

The Great Pyrenees is independent and needs its own space, both for living and for exercising. Exercise requirements are modest, but a large space is nevertheless necessary for the Pyrenees to run and play. This, coupled with the dog’s habit of barking, makes it not at all suited for apartment living. The Great Pyrenees revels in the cold and hates the heat; make sure the dog has a place to keep cool on warm days. The dog’s coat needs daily attention during the shedding season; otherwise, a weekly brushing is sufficient. Since the outer coat does not mat, care is easy and bathing is only necessary when the dog is very dirty. The Great Pyrenees is susceptible to canine hip dysplasia and patellar luxation; less prevalent problems include oteochondritis dissecans, entropion, osteosarcoma, dwarfism, panosteitis and cataracts.