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.
Giant10–12 yearsPyrenees mountains, France and SpainNeeds more space
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