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• Great Pyrenees
• 10-12 yrs
• 85-115 lbs
• 25-29"
• Asia

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Great Pyrenees

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3. Great Pyrenees

85-115 lbs 25-29" Asia Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Chien des Pyrenees, Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees, which is also called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in some countries, is a large dog with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. They are calm and great around children, and get along with other pets as well. They were originally bred around 10,000 B.C. with the goal of helping shepherds guard flocks, and they are related to the Hungarian Kuvasz and Maremmano-Abruzzese. They have thick coats that are white and can sometimes have slight markings. They are not hypoallergenic and do shed quite a bit, with a fairly high drooling tendency as well. However, they are not known to be very smelly. Although they are great babysitters and are very sweet with children, they do require proper training as they can be stubborn. They are also very vocal and have a tendency to bark.

Purpose Sheep Guardian Date of Origin 1000 BC Ancestry Hungarian Kuvasz, Maremmano-Abruzzese

Great Pyrenees Health

Average Size Height: 27-32 inches Weight: 100-140 lbs Height: 25-29 inches Weight: 85-115 lbs Major Concerns

• Patellar Luxation
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Hip Dysplasia
• Bloat
• Addison's Disease

Minor Concerns

• Entropion
• Cataracts

Occasional Tests

• Eye
• Hip
• Knee
• Blood Test
• X-Rays
• Physical Examination

Great Pyrenees Breed History

These dogs go by the name of Great Pyrenees in the United States and Canada, but in most of Europe and the United Kingdom, they are called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. The mountains separating France and Spain, the Pyrenees Mountains, are the place of origin of these dogs, hence the name. It is thought that the ancestors of these dogs originated from Asia Minor some ten to eleven thousand years ago. This breed was created with the goal of making a dog that would help and work with shepherds. In 1675, the Great Pyrenees were thought of as peasant’s dogs, up until it was declared by the Dauphin from the court of King Louis XIV that they would be the Royal Dog of France. From that point on, the French nobles began to use them as guard dogs for their estates. It was in Newfoundland, Canada that the first Great Pyrenees was imported. It was there that they were crossbred with the Newfoundland dog to create the Landseer Newfoundlands. The breed became more popular in Europe, the United States and England in the 1800s. They were also used in Switzerland as part of the St. Bernard’s breeding program. The breed went through a tough time during both World Wars, but survived since several of the dogs were imported to the United States before the war began. Breeders then worked to bring back the breed at the end of the war. These dogs are descended from the Maremmano-Abruzzese and the Hungarian Kuvasz.

Great Pyrenees Breed Appearance

The Great Pyrenees have double coats that are water resistant. With a coarse, long and thick topcoat that is never curly, but instead can be straight or wavy, they do well in cold weather conditions. Their overcoat is woolly and also quite dense. Around the neck, there will be a rough mane that will be more visible in males. Feathering on the back of the legs will also be present. The hair around the ears and face will be short and fine. These dogs are mostly white, or can have gray, tan, reddish-brown or badger-colored markings that appear as a mask, on the ears and head, on the tail, or sometimes on the body. These colored markings will not cover more than one third of the dog’s body. The undercoat will be either white or shaded. The bodies are typically longer than tall and the backline is level. They have wedge-shaped heads that are slightly rounded, and the dog’s muzzle will be about the same length as the skull’s back. The Great Pyrenees have black lips and noses with level scissor bite teeth. The slanted eyes will be medium sized and almond shaped, and will be dark brown in color. The ears are carried near the head, low and close to eye level, and are V-shaped but rounded at the tips. These dogs have fairly broad chests, and bushy tails that can be either carried low, reaching nearly to the hocks, or high up in a wheel when they get excited, and will sometimes have a crook at the end. They also have single dewclaws on the front paws and double on the back.

Eye Color Possibilities Brown Nose Color Possibilities Black Coat Color Possibilities White Cream Coat Length Short Medium Long Coat Density Sparse Normal Dense Coat Texture Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Great Pyrenees Breed Maintenance

 This breed of dog should be fed about 4 to 6 cups of food twice a day, but the exact amount depends on the individual dog and their lifestyle. They do shed quite heavily, especially in hot climates. This means that they require regular grooming, but are not too high maintenance. Besides brushing, the coat will not need any other forms of care. Hair around the hocks, feet, eyebrows, forelegs, whiskers and ears are sometimes trimmed. Although it may be tempting and can seem like a good idea, the Great Pyrenees should not have their coat clipped during the summer as it serves as protection from the hot sun. Since the coat will tend to shed dirt on its own, baths will only be needed once every few months. They have floppy ears that can block air circulation and will need to be cleaned weekly to prevent problems. Although daily is best, teeth brushing will be needed two or three times each week. If they do not wear down naturally, your pet should have their nails trimmed as needed. Due to their mellow personality, they can do well in apartments but will be very happy with a large backyard, always fenced in, that they can run around in.

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Brushes for Great Pyrenees Comb Deshedder Nail Clipper Brushing Frequency Daily Weekly Monthly

Great Pyrenees Temperament

The Great Pyrenees are calm and gentle dogs that are also courageous and devoted to their family. They are intelligent but can be stubborn as they are independent thinkers and are good at figuring things out by themselves. Despite being very friendly and docile, the Great Pyrenees will make great guard dogs. They adore children and will be calm and protective around any person or animal that is smaller and weaker than them. They are also friendly towards other pets, even more so if they were raised along with them from a young age. They are so calm and well-natured that they are often used as therapy and rescue dogs these days. Although they have wonderful temperaments, it may be different if they do not get the proper training and socialization as they are growing up; in this case, they may be aggressive, stubborn and hard to control. These dogs are known to be vocal and have a loud and powerful bark. They have exceptional hearing capabilities, and will let you know if they hear anything that is out of the ordinary.

Great Pyrenees Activity Requirements

As these dogs are used to roaming the mountains, they will often keep trying to gain more territory. Because of this, your yard will need to be fenced in with at least a four foot high barrier, as they can easily jump fences. They will need to begin training from when they are puppies, and it will need to be done with positive reinforcement. They have great memories, and will easily remember what you teach and how you do it. Great Pyrenees dogs will need at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day to remain active and healthy. They are big and strong dogs that can carry things like backpacks, but should not be allowed to work too hard in the summer when it is hot out. They do enjoy the winter months, however, and will love to accompany you on hikes as long as the weather is not too warm. They love being with people and can become destructive if left alone for too long, as they will get bored and lonely. Dog toys can help keep them occupied and mentally stimulated. Training can sometimes be a challenge, but can also be simple if started early. The key to successful training is patience and consistency. Leash training is among the important concepts to teach your large companion, as they will grow to be big and strong. This is also important as this breed will need to be kept on leash, lest they wander off on their own. Activity Level Low Medium High Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week 12 miles Minutes of Activity Per Day 60 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Great Pyrenees

• Jackweiler 100%Similar
• French Bulldog 100%Similar
• Boston Cattle Dog 100%Similar
• Dalmador 100%Similar
• Jack-A-Ranian 100%Similar

Similarly Sized Breeds to Great Pyrenees

• Great Weimar 97%Similar
• German Anatolian Shepherd 96%Similar
• Swissneese 96%Similar
• Saint Shepherd 96%Similar
• Shiloh Shepherd 96%Similar

Great Pyrenees Food Consumption

Cups Per Day 4.5 cups Daily Cost $3.00 - $3.50 Monthly Cost $90.00 - $105.00

Great Pyrenees Height & Weight

6 Months Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 70.0 lbs Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 55.0 lbs 12 Months Height: 26.0 inches Weight: 90.0 lbs Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 75.0 lbs 18 Months Height: 29.5 inches Weight: 130.0 lbs Height: 27.0 inches Weight: 100.0 lbs

Top Great Pyrenees Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Great Pyrenees breeders of 2026. J & R Rancho Great Pyrenees Smithfield, Virginia Hug-A-Mug Mastiffs Strafford, Missouri Wells' Providence Silex, Missouri SL Farms Turtle Lake, North Dakota Two T's Great Pyrenees Yadkinville, North Carolina North Country Canine Services Lowell, Vermont Hadleigh Grange De Soto, Illinois Dreamflower Meadows Shelby, North Carolina Wright Family Farms Warrensburg, Missouri Valhalla Organics Rogersville, Tennessee

Great Pyrenees Owner Experiences

Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Gelatine 1 Year 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug-of-war Walk Swim My dog is amazing and she loves other dogs and people 1 year, 5 months ago Albus 4 Years 3 People House Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes fluffy toys Walking Best dog ever, so laid back(most of the time) although he does tend to have a problem with school busses (he wants one!) and the couple times he has gotten loose he tries to joust with cars(not good) but all in all, best dog ever for me. 2 years ago Albus 4 Years 3 People House Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes fluffy toys Walking Best dog ever, so laid back(most of the time) although he does tend to have a problem with school busses (he wants one!) and the couple times he has gotten loose he tries to joust with cars(not good) but all in all, best dog ever for me. 2 years ago Snowball 6 Years 2 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes We adopted her just after her first birthday as she wasn’t working out on a farm. We didn’t even have to potty train her as she just knew to go when we walked. She will bark if a car or person she doesn’t know is outside. When walking she wants to look in every stroller we come across. She was not a livestock guardian, but definitely a child guardian. She has a strong sense of people and if they love animals. If she likes you, you get the Pyr paw and if she really likes you she will sit beside you on the sofa and stare at your face & occasionally give you a paw. She isn’t a water fan and doesn’t even care to walk on the pool deck. She loves all smaller animals, but if a cat runs she will chase as she thinks they are playing. Adopting this gentle giant was an excellent decision. However, we knew that she would be stubborn and not act like a lab or retriever. Until she was about 4 years she would try to run away every time anyone left a door cracked. Now, she will walk beside you, but we keep her on a leash 95%+ of the time we are outside, just to be safe. She’s a pro at counter surfing, so we have to put everything away and bread stays in the top of the refrigerator. She has been a perfect dog for us and I’d love to add another Pyr to our home. 4 years, 1 month ago 5 Years People Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes sniff sit Walk Great Pyrenees are large dogs and have lots of hair so being in hot Texas is a little hard on them. He loved being outside and meeting new people! 8 years, 2 months ago 1 Year People Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Walk petting Sniffing Great Pyrenees are lovely dogs and often trigger those who walk by to stop and gaze at their sheer size. Although a dog of their size might seem intimidating at first, Great Pyrenees are gentle giants who are friendly and quite easy going. They enjoy taking in their surroundings by sniffing at every opportunity and can’t help but leave a light trail of hair wherever they go. But despite the shedding, it is impossible not to love them instantly as they exude love unconditionally. Fiercely loyal, Great Pyrenees are there to stand by your side no matter what. They are the definition of the ultimate companion who will be there for you through thick and thin. It is no wonder that they serve as the perfect family dog, with their steady behavior and unwavering affection. 8 years, 2 months ago 3 Years People Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Human interaction Mouthing Play Great Pyrenees are very friendly and affectionate, and are known to stand on their hind legs and "hug" humans by placing their paws towards your shoulders. While this might seem cute, it can actually be dangerous to have the weight of a 100+ pound dog placing their weight on you and waving paws nears your face. They should be trained to only do this on command or not at all. They are very strong and need leash training to keep them manageable. They require consistent grooming on order to keep up with their beautiful coats, and that beautiful white coat and their large size make them showstoppers. They are gentle giants and very affectionate with humans and other dogs! 8 years, 2 months ago 5 Years People Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes I have had the pleasure of waking the sweetest Great Pyrenees! She always greets me with a smile and does a cute happy dance when she gets excited knowing she’s about to go on her walk. She is pretty laid back on her walks and definitely likes to take her time. And she is pretty stubborn about it as well. If she wants to go somewhere or sniff something - that’s what we are going to do! She loves attention and she knows she is just about the cutest thing as she struts her self around the park! She always looks so well groomed, but I can’t imagine that being an easy task. She is always easy to walk and I never have had any behavior issues with her. They are great dogs and I give them an A+ on the cuddle rating! 8 years, 2 months ago 10 Months People Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Being outside people Perfectly fits the description of gentle giant. My experience with a very young Great Pyrenees has been nothing but sweetness! She doesn't have a very high energy level, so she tires out quickly after play and likes to lay down and watch the rest of the dogs play instead. She loves going for walks, especially in the snow, but is very headstrong so a Gentle Lead is helpful. You can certainly bribe her with food or treats, but she does get very stubborn about going back into her crate and will use her weight to her own advantage! She's not much of a cuddler but loves meeting new people and spending time with her humans. She’s just as sweet when meeting other dogs, too. She sheds enough in a night to make a whole new dog. Also loves to jump up on people to give them a bear hug. 8 years, 2 months ago 7 Months People Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Play Tug-of-war Run Walk I have walked 2 Great Pyrenees’ and they both have so much energy coursing through their enormous bodies. You can definitely expect to have a Great Pyrenees jump up and put his paws on your shoulders, but they are very affectionate dogs. They are extremely fluffy, and extremely large. Their size does make for them to be difficult walkers, and you can expect to be yanked around a bit by the younger dogs. The older they get, however, the slower they become and the more they like to sniff and pee on everything that they see around them. In my experience, they do not seem to like the rain, but do love walks no matter what. They do not like being cooped up or chained down in anyway, and just want to be free to run around constantly. 8 years, 1 month ago Charlemagne 8 Years 2 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Walking w Walk Loving,gentle and so cute. 7 years, 10 months ago Odin 1 Year 3 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Odin is half Pyr and half Border Collie. We adopted him from a friend who could no longer take care of him. This is mine and my boyfriend's first dog together. Odin is very protective of his people and his space. We are having a hard time training him due to getting him when he was already a year old. Odin barks at night when he hears any sounds that he is unsure of (pretty much any sound). Odin is great with other dogs, he just needs to be introduced correctly. Odin becomes easily destructive if he is not stimulated throughout the day. He will rip up blankets and sometimes a patio if he is being ignored. 7 years ago Louis 15 Months 5 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Hike Walk Obedience classes Louis is a pure-bred Great Pyrenees. As he's grown older he's become a lot more suspicious of other dogs/people, which is normal for his breed. He doesn't have too much energy, especially in summer, but he does need about a 1.5+ mile walk daily. He's very cuddly and does well inside. He likes to sleep a lot after he's gone on his walk. Louis does tend to bark quite a bit at things he deems necessary to bark at (pretty much everything). As a puppy he was very good off-leash, but 'forgot' everything as a yearling. he's currently building back up to being off-leash in the yard and in parks. Louis really likes kids. 6 years, 8 months ago Daisy 1 Year 2 People Apartment Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Walking They are amazing companions and often know when you are upset and try to comfort you 5 years, 12 months ago Tiger 11 Months 2 People House Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes first i got this dog from my friend he was dying same one gave him poison, his poison was removed but was not fit and no one was taking him everyone was telling he will dye but i told my friend i do a lot for many people let me help him too, and today he is healthy and loves me a lot. 5 years, 11 months ago Dakota 5 Months 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Going on drives Playing in the snow I love my dog, she is playful, super friendly loves kids good with other dogs we have 5 other dogs that are all a small bread n there just part of her pack she is active loves cuddles trained well can sit shack n lay down she is 5 months n weights 55 pounds great dog breed needs a lot of attention 5 years, 10 months ago Maya 15 Weeks 2 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Car rides Going on walks & Runs Hiking The great Pyrenees are amazing dogs. My little girl Maya is very attentive and a gentle giant, she can be very playful at times and mellow at others. She often uses her paws to slap Her playmates around. Out of all the dogs I've had, she's not that vocal. She will bark to get your attention to go outside or to let you know that she needs something. She has only barked once at a figure outside my house. She cried in a low tone to alert us and scare off the figure. She gets defensive at times. I don't quite understand what triggers these events, but I believe she goes off of smells, she has done it twice so far. Once when hiking and another time when walking in the neighborhood. They are natural guardians and will do so. Overall they are amazing dogs. Very loving and compassionate. Even with all of these great traits, the Great Pyrenees can be very stubborn and be extremely difficult for novice owners. It's highly recommended that you take these dogs to obedience schools. They also have the tendencies to roam around. It's also recommended to have a fenced yard to have a boundary that your dog can protect and stay within. 5 years, 8 months ago Zoey 4 Years 3 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Very thing is true what's written about these breed. It's been a different experiences with her then others dogs we had. 5 years, 3 months ago Belle 2 Years 2 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes I have been use to Labs so this Pyrenees which my husband got when Belle was 6 weeks old, and it has been an experience training her. Thank heavens we have stayed in weekly training with very good local trainers, and we have a fenced in yard. I wish her training was further along, because at this point she out weight me by 15 pounds, so I am not able to control on a leash her if she sees the squirrel or cat. I think my husband is letting her get to fat, she is 2 years, 135 pounds, spends her time guarding us and does not get enough exercise. 5 years, 2 months ago Mack 6 Months 6 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Tug of war hide and seek Throw the ball Mack is such a great pup. He is 6 months old and weighs 108 lb. He's huge!!! He does still nip at the kids here and there when he's excited and chasing after them. He does like to chew stuff such as garbage, my Christmas lights, etc. Besides those silly little things he is such a great farm dog we just love him so much!!!! 5 years, 2 months ago Jack 5 Months 4 People House & Yard Health Grooming Friendliness Energy Trainability Pastimes Playing with a tennis ball Playing in the snow The great pyrenees is exciting to have although there is one problem,my great pyrenees is very stubborn and likes to jump on people we have tried to train him out of it but it has not worked he doesn't really do that much anymore he is very lazy! he loves to play though and is a great dog! I recommend getting a great pyrenees! they are very loving affectionate and they are great guardians for your yard. When my puppy wants to play he puts his paw on my face which is funny because he is so cute! i Strongly recommend a Great pyrenees another thing about them is that they love small children and will be very gentle with them,when you get a great pyrenees make sure there is another dog thats older so the other dog can keep him company,overall great dog 4 years, 11 months ago Question - My pet Question

My dog is a Great Pyrenees. She keeps having diarrhea or runny stool when she drinks too much water I believe. How much water should a 17 months old Great Pyrenees drink? Also I give her Imodium when this happens... it that ok?

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