Group:

Utility

Size:

extra large

Lifespan:

10-12 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

very low

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

high

Area of Origin:

France

Date of Origin:

ancient times

Other Names:

Great Pyrenees, Chien Des Pyrenees, Chien De Montagne Des Pyrenees

Original Function:

sheep guardian

History

The original ancestors of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog are the Tibetan Mastiff and the Molossian Hounds which were brought to Spain by the Romans. For the next 1000 years, the dogs that existed on the border between France and Spain developed in relative isolation, thus the creation of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. The large, intelligent animals were used to guard flocks of sheep in the hills, and could be trusted alone for days at a time. At times they were also used to guard French prisons, and during the reign of Louis XIV, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog was made the official court dog. It wasn't really until the 1800's that travellers to the area, impressed with these beautiful dogs, started to import them to other places throughout the world. The breed standard, adopted in France after World War I, was translated to English and by the 1930's, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, was popular with breeders in Britain and North America. This breed is well-suited to family life, but because of its size should have plenty of room and exercise even though he can curl himself into very small places!

Temperament

The Pyr, as it is nicknamed is very loyal, as well as affectionate and gentle. This intelligent dog makes a very welcome family pet. He does have a mind of his own when it suits him.

Upkeep

The Pyr needs regular exercise to stay in shape, though its needs are not excessive. A moderate walk will usually suffice. In the warmer weather ensure that the Pyr has shade and plenty of water. This breed can live outdoors in temperate to cold weather, although it enjoys being with its family indoors. Its coat needs brushing once or twice weekly, daily when shedding and regular grooming inbetween. A well fenced property is a requirement and an awareness of barking as a dog bred to guard must also be noted. Obedience classes are to be recommended and mature male Pyreneans do not normally care for males of the same Breed or of other Breeds due to their territorial/guarding nature.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Pyrenean should possess great size, substance and power, giving an impression of an immensely strong yet well-balanced dog. These qualities should be accompanied by a certain elegance resulting from a combination of the attractive coat, the correct head and a general air of quiet confidence. It is of the utmost importance that nervousness or unprovoked aggression should be heavily penalised.

Head and Skull:
It is very important that the head should give an impression of strength with no sign of coarseness; it should not be too heavy in proportion to the size of the dog. The top of the skull, as viewed from front and side, should show a definite curve so as to give a somewhat domed effect and the breadth of the skull at its widest point should be about equal to the length from occiput to stop. The sides of the head should be nearly flat and of a good depth. There should be no obvious stop and only a slight furrow so that the skull and muzzle are joined by a gentle slope. The muzzle should be strong, of medium length and with a slight taper near its tip. The nose should be absolutely black. When viewed from above the head should have the general form of a blunt "V" well filled in below the eyes.

Eyes:
The eyes should be almond-shaped and of a dark amber-brown colour. The close-fitting eyelids should be set somewhat obliquely and should be bordered with black. Drooping lower eyelids should be penalised. The expression should be intelligent and contemplative.

Ears:
The ears should be fairly small and triangular with rounded tips, the root of the ear being on a level with the eyes. Normally the ears lie flat against the head, but may be slightly raised when the dog is alert.

Mouth:
There should be a complete set of healthy strong even teeth, the incisors meeting in either a scissor or a pincer bite. The two central lower incisors may be set a little deeper than the others but this should not be regarded as a serious fault.

The lips should be close fitting, the upper ones extending downwards just sufficiently to cover the lower. They should be black or heavily marked with black in common with the roof of the mouth.

Neck:
The neck should be fairly short, thick and muscular. Some dewlap is permitted.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be powerful and lie close to the body. There should be medium angulation between the shoulder-blade and the upper arm. The forelegs should be straight, heavily boned and well muscled. The elbows should not be too close to the chest nor should they stand off too far from it, so that a good width of stance and a free striding movement are obtained. Pasterns should show flexibility, but no weakness.

Body:
The chest should be broad and of sufficient depth to reach just below the elbows. The sides should be slightly rounded and the rib cage should extend well to the rear. The back should be of a good length, broad, muscular, straight and level. Dogs usually have a more pronounced waist than bitches, giving a greater curve to the lower body line.

Hindquarters:
The loins should be broad and muscular with fairly prominent haunches, the rump should be slightly sloping and the tail should be set on so that the topline curves smoothly into it. The thighs should have great strength and be heavily muscled, tapering gradually down to strong hocks. The stifle and hock joints should both have medium angulation as seen from the side.

The hindlegs should each carry strongly-made double dewclaws and lack of this identifying characteristic is a very serious fault.

The hind feet may turn out slightly, but the legs themselves when viewed from behind should be straight. Pronounced cow hocks should be heavily penalised.

Feet:
The feet should be short and compact, the toes being slightly arched and equipped with strong nails.

Gait:
It is very important that the gait should be unhurried, and one should gain the impression of a large dog propelled by powerful hindquarters moving steadily and smoothly well within its capacity, yet able to produce bursts of speed. At slow speeds the Pyrenean tends to pace.

Tail:
The tail should be thick at the root and should taper gradually towards the tip, for preference, should have a slight curl. It should be of sufficient length to reach below the hocks and the thick coating of fairly long hair should form an attractive plume. In repose, the tail should be carried low with the tip turned slightly to one side, but as the dog becomes interested the tail rises and when he is fully alert it should be curled high above the back in a circle.

Coat:
The undercoat should be profuse and composed of very fine hairs whilst the longer outercoat should be of coarser texture, thick and straight or slightly wavy but never curly or fuzzy. The coat should be longer around the neck and shoulders, where it forms a mane, and towards the tail. The forelegs should be fringed. The hair on the rear of the thighs should be long, very dense and more woolly in texture, giving a "pantaloon" effect. Bitches tend to be smoother-coated than dogs and usually have a less developed mane.

Colour:
(a) Mainly white with patches of badger, wolf-grey or pale yellow. (b) White. Both colours are of equal merit and judges should show no preference for either. Areas of black hair, where the black goes right down to the roots, are a serious fault. The coloured markings can be on the head, the ears and at the base of the tail, but a few patches on the body are permitted. The nose and eye rims should be black. The presence of liver pigmentation or pink is a serious fault.

Weight and Size:
The height at the shoulder should be: Dogs: At least 71.1 cm (28 in). Bitches: At least 66 cm (26 in). Most specimens will exceed these heights by several centimetres and great size should be regarded as absolutely essential, provided that correct type and character are retained. The weight should be: Dogs: At least 49.8 kg (110 lb). Bitches: At least 40.8 kg (90 lb). (These weights apply only to specimens of minimum height and taller ones should weigh considerably more). Weight should always be in proportion to height, giving a powerful dog of great strength. Excess weight due to fat should be penalised.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.