If you live in the mountains with a huge yard or enough outdoor space, and you have not yet decided which breed of dog to choose as your life companion, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog or Great Pyrenees may be the ideal one for you.
Size : Giant.
Weight : Between 50 and 60kg.
Hair type : Semi-long, double-layered fur.
Character : Independent and dominant.
Health : Possible congenital diseases
Life expectancy : 10 to 11 years.
Being an affectionate, independent, guardian and shepherd dog, the Pyrenees Mountain easily adapts to the natural environment. It is a breed that, by nature, cares for and protects its owners, its family, and has great patience with children.
Although he has good behavior with other animals, he does not act the same with other dogs, especially those of the German Shepherd type breed or those with a threatening appearance. With these it can become aggressive to defend itself or its people and its territory.
You should consider that the Pyrenees Mountain is large in size and has a strong body , distrustful when it does not meet other people, but discreet and calm. Unable to cause harm to its owners or property, its loyalty and protective sense keep it patient.
Even though they belong to totally different breeds, people confuse the Pyrenean Mastiff with the Pyrenean Mastiff. The Mastiff is a giant breed of dog, while the Mountain is a large and majestic breed.
Origin of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog
It belongs to one of the oldest documented breeds, its origin dates back to approximately the end of the 14th century. It was considered a companion dog in the 17th century.
Its name comes from France , where it was baptized as “Patou” in the French area of the Pyrenees .
The ability of this breed to protect herds and its own owners impressed the inhabitants of the French area, since it fearlessly faced bears and wolves, risking its life without giving in.
The Pyrenees Mountain was used to guard castles in ancient times due to its nature as a guardian, it was the breed chosen by the French Court until its disappearance and was used as a pack dog in Belgium and northern France. Currently valued and considered a guard dog and shepherd in countries such as Australia and the United States of America.
In the book published by the Count of Bylandt in 1807, the first description of this breed was published. Bylandt was a Dutch Aristocrat dedicated to being a Judge at dog shows, becoming one of the main judges, and publishing books specialized in dog breeds.
The Montaña de los Pirineos was registered with the Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE) , which was founded on June 27, 1911.
Breed Characteristics
The Pyrenees Mountain is a brave dog willing to defend. It is not considered an aggressive or dangerous animal.
- It has an elegant and loose gait, despite its size.
- Its color is uniform snow white in some cases, but usually it is white with gray spots, pale yellow or dark spots ranging between brown and black, or reddish browns.
- With a semi-long, double-layered coat, the inner layer is thick and soft, unlike the outer layer, which is rough, slightly wavy and in some cases smoother.
- The life expectancy of the Pyrenean Mountain is 10 to 11 years.
- Molosser type dog, but with more stylized features than usual.
- The weight of the male is 50 to 60 kilograms, with a height that ranges between 70 and 80 cm.
- Females weigh 40 to 50 kilos, with a height ranging from 65 to 75 cm.
- With a tender face and floppy ears. His eyes are small and his eyelids are rimmed with black. With a strong body and long, bushy tail.
- The head of the Pyrenean Mountain is medium compared to its body, which is long and robust, and its snout is wide.
- An unusual feature is that it has six toes on its hind legs, this is because the original breeders wanted to improve walking and grip on snowy terrain.
- He likes to wander around constantly, passing by the same place on his steps. Typical of guard dogs.
- Pyrenean Mountains are determined when they want to go somewhere. It is advisable to have a strong barrier to support the dog, otherwise nothing will be able to stop it.
The Pyrenees Mountain Puppy
Receive your puppy with a lot of love, the only thing he needs at his young age is dedication, affection and special care so that he grows healthy . Place it in a safe, dry place, where you can monitor it during the day and night. Comfort, warmth and hygiene are essential to make you feel comfortable and avoid illnesses.
If your Pyrenees Mountain puppy was weaned and separated from its mother early, the ideal is to provide it with warm milk in a soft bottle or dropper. Do not reserve the milk if you have already tried it, it may go bad. His diet must be adequate; solid foods cannot be introduced until he is 6 weeks old.
At only three months old, he already has a significant size for his age. The Pyrenees Mountain grows rapidly in size and strength. Be alert for any anomalies during its growth.
Their weight increases considerably during the first year of life. Take care of your nutrition so that you do not suffer from digestive problems. Because he is a puppy, what he wants is to play and explore, his learning capacity is in full development, do not be demanding with him until it is the right time to start educating him.
It is important to get used to everyday life at home and your lifestyle outside the home. The Pyrenean Mountain breed, like large breed dogs, reaches maturity at two years.
Feeding of the Pyrenees Mountain
Because it is considered a large breed dog, its nutritional dose is in proportion to its growth and development. Generally it does not need a special diet , unless in a specific case the veterinarian says otherwise. Supplying quality feed like the ones we offer at Lobo Azul will always be the best option.
Each puppy or adult is fed according to its needs. Due to its size and weight, giving it large doses of food can cause it to become overweight. Exercises and walks of at least one hour daily will help maintain the physical and mental health of the Pyrenees Mountain.
Keep the area where they eat clean and dry, this way you will avoid any infection or contamination of their food. The water should be clean and fresh, it replaces the water served during the day as well as food.
Health and care of your pet
Before having a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, you must consider the care and possible diseases that may affect it. Visits to the veterinarian provide you with the information necessary for its development and care. By keeping his vaccinations up to date, you help your dog stay healthy and happy. Treatment and prevention will be of great help in your lifestyle.
With the Pyrenees Mountain, these are the care to follow , although they generally enjoy good health:
- Due to its large size, exercise is of vital importance for its health, since it can lead to Hip Dysplasia. This disease is not detected until they are 2 years old, but it is possible that the offspring are born with some predisposition to develop it in the future. Pay special attention if your Pyrenees Mountain presents any of these symptoms:
- Stiffness of the hind legs when running
- Your dog limps for no apparent reason
- You find it difficult to get up after a long rest
- Pain when walking or being touched in the hips or hind legs
- Stands with legs very close together
- Bone wear is one of the consequences
With these symptoms we must be vigilant since hip dysplasia, in advanced cases, can lead to painful arthritis.
- Other possible diseases are Epilepsy, Gastric Torsion, Deafness, hereditary eye diseases and Dermatitis.
- With the Montaña de los Pyrenees, the care regarding its coat is not excessive, just by brushing it four times a week, you will keep it untangled and soft. When he is shedding, you should brush him daily to remove dead hair.
- As for bathing, it is recommended to do it once a month or when strictly necessary.
- He does not need a haircut and his nails should be cared for frequently.
- As puppies, starting at 5 months a year, they lose their baby teeth and this causes them to chew a lot. Buy him a suitable toy so he doesn't make messes at home.
- The cold or temperate climate is ideal for the Pyrenees Mountain, the fresh environments and the outdoors keep it comfortable, as for heat, it does not tolerate it very well.
Education of the Pyrenees Mountain
Patience should be your best ally, since the Pyrenees Mountain is independent and dominant , becoming disobedient. You should speak to him in a firm tone of voice to attract his attention, especially when he is still a puppy, although in some cases it will not help as an adult due to his sense of independence.
The call command is the main one that you should teach your dog, you must be firm and determined when teaching it to obey, be consistent. Never underestimate a Pyrenean Mountain, its friendly appearance and intelligence will tell you when it does not want to follow some orders.
Start training him from a puppy, so that he socializes with family members, other animals and knows the home environments, especially the outdoors. The ideal time to start training it is from 8 weeks of age, starting with basic obedience.
- With 5 or 10 minutes a day, you will be able to get your Pyrenees Mountain's attention and it will start working on it.
- One order at a time. When you see that your pet understands, you can move on to the next command. As your dog's learning progresses, you can do it from a week to ten days.
- Reviewing learned commands once a week will be rewarding.
- Remember to reward him when he responds positively.
- You must be the only person who trains him so as not to confuse him. Once the commands are learned, another member of the family can begin to give them.
Get your Pyrenean Mountain dog used to walking on the leash from a puppy. When he is big, you won't be able to do anything when you want to take him for a walk, it will be more difficult to handle him due to his large size.
As puppies they like to bite, so you must educate them and prohibit that action. As adults they can develop an aggressive character due to having created the habit of biting.
Eliminating bad habits in your pet, such as biting what is in their path, jumping on people and not respecting your space while eating, will allow them a more relaxed and calm life. Educate him that he has to relieve himself outside the home.
Stimulate your Pyrenees Mountain with games and physical activities appropriate to its age, it will allow it to develop its canine skills.
To take into account:
- The Pyrenees Mountain is not a city dog, small or enclosed spaces make it uncomfortable, to be able to have it, the most advisable thing is a large house and a lot of outdoor space that gives it freedom to walk.
- Never take them outside without a leash if you are in or near the city, they are very curious and usually get lost and return within hours or days.
- During the day it is very calm and at night its guardian instinct is higher.
- Their cautious nature can sometimes become uncomfortable, as they react unfriendly to strangers or animals, without being aggressive.
- The Pyrenees Mountain has the ability that, despite its mistrust, it adapts quickly when meeting other people.
- They are dogs of resistance and strength, so they sometimes endure pain and high levels of discomfort.
Now that you have detailed information about the Pyrenees Mountain , I hope you do not hesitate to breed a beauty of this breed. Brighten your life and that of your pet with love and dedication.
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