Great Pyrenees Dogs

Great Pyrenees dogs are one of the giant dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees dog is also called the Pyrenean Mountain dog. This friendly, intelligent dog breed originated in France as a working dog with livestock, mainly sheep. They are natural guard dogs with a intimidating size which made them well suited for this type of work.

The longhaired coat of the Great Pyrenees is typically pure white or mostly white with colored markings. The markings can be brown, gray, red, or tan. It has a double coat, with thick, coarse long hair over a softer undercoat. This dog breed should be brushed regularly. Though weekly brushing may be enough most of the time, it may need more frequent brushing during times of heavy shedding.

The Great Pyrenees dog is mostly laidback while indoors. The dog should have regular exercise while secured on a leash or in a securely fenced yard. The Great Pyrenees has a free spirit and loves to run and explore its environment. Care should be taken to keep these dogs safe and secure.

These dogs usually get along well with children, especially when socialized with them or raised with them. This intelligent breed can be stubborn and difficult to train. Without proper training, the Great Pyrenees could become domineering. Due to its size, it can be an extreme problem if it is not properly trained. Therefore, a Great Pyrenees dog does best with an experienced dog owner who is skilled at consistently training dogs or will secure help in training the dog if necessary.

A Great Pyrenees dog weighs eighty-five to one hundred thirty pounds on average. Their height ranges from twenty-five to thirty inches. Like other giant dog breeds, the life expectancy is shorter than small dogs. The life span of the Great Pyrenees is eight to twelve years on average.

The Great Pyrenees dog breed is a sturdy one. Large dogs like the Great Pyrenees are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Other skeletal problems to which the Great Pyrenees is susceptible include luxating patella and spinal problems. This dog breed may be prone to cataracts and blood disorders.