Dog breed · Working
Great Pyrenees
A livestock guardian bred to make its own decisions on the mountainside — serene, immovable and famously nocturnal in its barking.
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Breed characteristics
- Group
- Working
- Origin
- Pyrenees mountains, France and Spain
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 39–73 kg (85–160 lb)
- Height
- 65–82 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Coat
- Thick weatherproof white double coat
- Temperament
- CalmIndependentProtectivePatient
History
Guarded flocks against wolves and bears in the Pyrenees for centuries before becoming a French royal favourite.
Appearance
Huge and white, sometimes with badger or grey markings, with a profuse mane.
Exercise and activity
Moderate walks and patrol time in a securely fenced area.
Care and grooming
Brush weekly and far more in moult; never shave the insulating coat.
Health considerations
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Osteosarcoma
- Patellar luxation
- Neurological deafness in some lines
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Great Pyrenees
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: Moderate walks and patrol time in a securely fenced area. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Hip and elbow dysplasia, Bloat, Osteosarcoma, Patellar luxation, Neurological deafness in some lines), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime. Bloat has no screening test: learn its emergency signs and ask about prevention.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- Dogs Trust — dog care, behaviour and welfare advice