SCRAPS Breed Profile GREAT

Stats

Country of Origin: and Group: Flock Guard and AKC Working Use today: Family companion and guarding. Life Span: 10 years Color: Coat colors come in solid white, or white with patches of tan, -gray or pale yellow. Coat: Coat colors come in solid white, or white with patches of tan, wolf-gray or pale yellow. Grooming: Regular brushing of the long double coat will keep it in good condition, but extra care is needed when the is shedding its dense undercoat. The outer coat does not mat, so care is relatively easy. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. These shed heavily once a year. Height: Males 27 – 32 inches; Females 25 - 29 inches (but some are as much as 40 inches) Weight: Males 110–120 pounds; Females 80 - 90 pounds

Profile

In Brief: The Great Pyrenees is devoted to more than the height at the withers; the top line family even if self-sacrifice is required. It is very is level. The chest is fairly broad. The head is gentle with its family and children. It does best wedge-shaped with a slightly rounded skull with with children when it is raised with them from no apparent stop. The medium-sized ears are puppyhood. good with non-canine animals, and triangular and pendant. The muzzle is wide and usually loves cats. These dogs do not reach slightly pointed, and its lips are not pendent. The maturity until they are about 2 years old. Some teeth should ideally meet in a scissors bite, but are not good off the leash and may wander level bite is allowed. The Great Pyrenees has away. The Great Pyrenees tends to bark a lot single dewclaws on the front legs and double and some tend to drool and slobber. dewclaws on the hind legs. The long, feathered, plumed tail curves upward slightly at the tip and Description: The Great Pyrenees is also known reaches at least to the hocks. as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Full grown this is a very large animal with a solid muscular Temperament: The Great Pyrenees is a body. The long, coarse, outer coat is either capable and imposing guardian, devoted to its straight or slightly wavy, while the fine undercoat family, and somewhat wary of strangers - human is soft and thick. The coat is weather resistant or canine. They are often used to guard which allows it to live outdoors year round in livestock. When not provoked, it is calm, well- very harsh climates. Coat colors come in solid mannered, and somewhat serious. Courageous, white, or white with patches of tan, wolf-gray or very loyal and obedient. Gentle and affectionate pale yellow. It has a black nose and dark brown, with those he loves. Devoted to family even if almond-shaped eyes with a thoughtful, self-sacrifice is required. It is very gentle with its intelligent, dignified expression. The Great family and children. It does best with children Pyrenees looks a lot like a brown except for when it is raised with them from puppyhood. It its light coloring. The body proportions are has an independent, somewhat stubborn nature, somewhat rectangular; the length is slightly and may try to dominate a less secure owner. A serious worker, but very independent. Be patient when training the Great Pyrenees, as it may be slightly difficult. It is important to socialize and train this breed properly to insure good citizenship. Male dogs can be aggressive with Origins: The Great Pyrenees descended from other animals. The Great Pyrenees is good with the Hungarian and the Maremmano- non-canine animals, and usually loves cats. Abruzzese. The Pyrenees is considered the These dogs do not reach maturity until they are aristocratic relative of the St. Bernard and the about 2 years old. Some are not good off the Newfoundland. It has a long history in its native leash and may wander away. The Great France as a guard dog of sheep and chateaux. Pyrenees tends to bark a lot and some tend to Remains dating as far back as 1800 BC of a dog drool and slobber. similar to the Great Pyrenees have been discovered in Europe, though the breed Health: Prone to hip dysplasia. Can develop probably originated much earlier in Asia or skin problems in very hot weather. Siberia. Once established in Europe, the Great Pyrenees (also known as the Pyrenean Living Conditions: These dogs are not Mountain Dog) remained in the high mountain recommended for apartment life. They need regions until the Middle ages, When the breed space, but adapt well to family life. They are not gradually gained popularity with the French really active indoors, but would be happy with nobility as a guard dog. By the late 17th century, regular exercise outdoors or in a mid-to-large every French noble wanted to own one. Armed sized yard. Puppies are very active and might with a spiky collar and thick coat (a natural have the tendency to wander off or escape. The defense against attack), the Great Pyrenees Great Pyrenees prefers cool climates. protected vulnerable flocks from such predators as and bear. Born to live in the Exercise: Pyrenees need plenty of exercise to mountains, this versatile breed has also served stay in shape. It need not be vigorous, but it man in other ways: as an avalanche rescue dog, must be regular. as a cart-puller and a sled dog, as a pack dog on ski trips, and as a companion and defender of family and property. With a minimum of training it can still be used today. In ancient times, when its temperament was less gentle, it may have been used as a dog of war. The Great Pyrenees was an important part of the founding stock for the Newfoundland. The AKC officially recognized it in 1933.

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