| The Great Pyrenees makes a good watch dog and | | | | guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and |
| guard dog. They are wary of strangers, both man and | | | | competent instructions to accomplish this can be found |
| beast. They need plenty of exercise and are not | | | | on the net. |
| suitable for an apartment. A properly fenced in yard or | | | | Life Span |
| acreage would be ideal. They may tend to wander so | | | | The Great Pyrenees can live between 10 and 12 |
| they should be kept under control. They are generally | | | | years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent |
| good with other pets but may fight with other dogs. | | | | living conditions. |
| They like older children, especially if they have been | | | | History |
| socialized with them at an early age. As a reminder, | | | | The Great Pyrenees came from France where they |
| never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog. | | | | were an old natural breed. They were developed as |
| Approximate Adult Size | | | | herders and sled pullers. They were first registered by |
| The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of | | | | the American Kennel Association in 1933. |
| the male Great Pyrenees is 27 to 32 inches to the | | | | Some Registries |
| withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 100 to 125 | | | | - Great Pyrenees Club of America |
| pounds. The female ranges from 25 to 29 inches to | | | | - UKC United Kennel Club |
| the withers and 80 to 90 pounds. | | | | - NKC National Kennel Club |
| Special Health Considerations | | | | - CKC Continental Kennel Club |
| Most dog breeds have certain inherited health | | | | - APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. |
| problems associated with that specific breed and the | | | | - AKC American Kennel Club |
| Great Pyrenees is no exception, although they are | | | | - FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale |
| considered very healthy. Be on the look out for Canine | | | | - NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club |
| Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint | | | | - KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain |
| that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), epilepsy | | | | - ANKC Australian National Kennel Club |
| (common in dogs), eyelid defects and skin hot spots. | | | | - ACR American Canine Registry |
| This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other | | | | Litter Size |
| diseases may also be significant threats, please | | | | 6 to 10 Great Pyrenees puppies |
| contact your veterinarian for a complete list. | | | | Category |
| She should visit the veterinarian several times in the | | | | Working, Flock Guard |
| first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as | | | | Terms To Describe |
| an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for | | | | Beauty, elegance, majesty, regal, coordination, |
| shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and | | | | soundness, substance, intelligent, kindly, affectionate, |
| on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for | | | | territorial, quiet, tolerant, patient, fearless, loyal |
| check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your | | | | SPECIAL GOOD POINTS |
| dog sweets. | | | | - Good watch dog. |
| Grooming | | | | - Good guard dog. |
| The Great Pyrenees has a double coat that is | | | | - Generally a one family dog. |
| weather resistant. The outer coat is flat, long, and thick. | | | | SPECIAL BAD POINTS |
| The inner coat is dense and wooly. They intensively | | | | - Shed heavily in spring and summer. |
| shed their inner coat in spring and summer. They | | | | - They can become aggressive. |
| should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her | | | | - They need an experienced handler. |
| maintain a clean and healthy coat and help you keep a | | | | - Takes a lot of grooming. |
| closer eye on her health and strengthen your | | | | - Can be stubborn. |
| emotional bond with her. | | | | - May tend to wander. |
| Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week | | | | - Slow maturing. |
| with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. | | | | - May be a barker. |
| Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and | | | | - May slobber and drool. |
| tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal | | | | Other Names Known By |
| disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss | | | | Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees, Chien des |
| of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. | | | | Pyrenees, Pyrenean Mountain Dog |
| Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and | | | | Every dog is an individual so not everything in this |
| clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow | | | | information may be correct for your dog. This |
| slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a | | | | information is meant as a good faith guideline only. |