Great Pyrenees

OVERVIEW OF THE GREAT PYRENEES

The Great Pyrenees is known to be a calm and patient canine companion. They are eager to please but can be rather stubborn and sluggish when following basic commands, like sit and heel, making the breed a bit challenging to train. However, once this breed is familiarized with their responsibilities, they become loyal and devoted family members. With almost no destructive tendencies and a lovey-dovey personality, the Great Pyrenees has a reputation for being patient with the children of the household, as they are entirely dedicated to protecting their families from harm. Although the Great Pyrenees is a large breed and exceptionally muscular, they love to lounge around the house and tend to be super affectionate towards their loved ones. Remember that this breed still requires a healthy amount of exercise and playtime, so the best thing you can do for your Great Pyrenees’ health and quality of life is to establish a routine and stick with it.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE GREAT PYRENEES

With fossilized remains being discovered in the Pyrenees Mountains bordering Spain and France, which is also the reason behind their names, there is reason to believe that the origin of this breed can be dated as far back as the Bronze age in 1800 to 1000 BC. The Great Pyrenees’ majestic beauty has always garnered great prestige, so much so that the breed is carved into 12th-century bas-relief sculptures on the North Gate of Carcassonne in France.

For centuries, the breed worked as herding and guard dogs in the mountain range, protecting their shepherd and shepherd’s livestock from inevitable predators. Some were even trained to pull small delivery carts throughout Belgium and France. Today, the Great Pyrenees still takes pride in being loyal companions to their family and their instinct to herd and defend livestock.

GREAT PYRENEES FOOD AND HEALTH

Being a large breed, the regular food intake of a Great Pyrenees is not something everyone can afford, as depending on the dog’s weight, it might consume almost four to six cups of high-quality dry food daily. Although the actual food intake depends upon the dog’s size, age, metabolism, and activity level, the minimum quantity required to keep a Great Pyrenees well-fed is still beyond the scope of a smaller breed. Many experts agree that the Great Pyrenees requires a high-quality, large breed formulated dry dog food with low-protein levels. Still, it is always best to consult your veterinarian on an appropriate diet for your Great Pyrenees.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

The Great Pyrenees is a very resilient dog and rarely gets sick. However, the possibility is always present. Although most of these illnesses are very common in dogs of considerable stature, they aren’t something you need to worry about, as most are curable via minor surgery or antibiotic treatments. Nevertheless, let us look at some of the illnesses your Great Pyrenees could potentially develop.

• Gastric Torsion
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Patellar Luxation
• Addison’s Disease
• Cataracts
• Entropion
• Anesthesia Sensitivity

Out of all of these, it is important to pay attention to Gastric Torsion and Addison’s Disease as they can lead to significant consequences and, in extreme cases, even death. Some experts recommend feeding your Great Pyrenees multiple small meals throughout the day and avoiding excessive exercise after eating to prevent the risk of Gastric Torsion, also known as bloating. Generally speaking, if your Great Pyrenees exhibits any symptoms of discomfort, it is best to seek immediate medical attention and consult with your veterinarian.

TOP-RATED CRATES, BEDS, AND DOGHOUSES FOR GREAT PYRENEES

The Great Pyrenees is an easy-going breed that can find a place to rest in any condition. Be it a hard surface, such as hardwood floors, or a softer one, like beds or couches, and if you allow them to, they’ll make themselves feel right at home, giving you much flexibility when picking a suitable bed for your Pyrenees. As long as the bed’s surface area is big enough to stretch out comfortably, your Great Pyrenees will love it!

On the other hand, picking out a crate and dog house can be quite costly because of the Great Pyrenees’ immense stature. Since the large breed develops at an incredible rate, we recommend getting an extra-large crate with an adjustable divider, so it grows with your pup and saves you money in the long run. Also, keep their mature size in mind if you plan on providing your Great Pyrenees with an outdoor doghouse by opting for a large spacious unit, even during the early puppy stages.

LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR A GREAT PYRENEES

For the Great Pyrenees dog, regular walks must be an essential part of their everyday routine. Although the thought of taking out such a large dog for a walk can sound intimidating, Great Pyrenees, if trained well, have a reputation for being gentle giants. Going on daily walks allows your Great Pyrenees to exert some of their built-up energy and is a big part of your bonding experience with your loving companion.

Since Great Pyrenees are a large but calm breed, a durable collar and leash would most likely be the best option for you and your canine. If the collar fits properly and is made with high-quality materials, you and your Great Pyrenees will have enjoyable adventures together. However, it’s great to check your collar and leash for any signs of wear and tear ever so often because even though the breed carries itself with amazing regality and grace, it is swift to action if provoked.

BEST TOYS FOR A GREAT PYRENEES

When it comes to large guard dogs like the Great Pyrenees, you should invest in durable toys that can keep them entertained for hours, as they tend to become bored quickly. Although these dogs don’t have a very active prey drive, they require intense stimulation and tend to destroy fragile toys. As a result, heavy-duty and ultra-durable chew toys are premium options for your Great Pyrenees because they prevent boredom and potentially misbehaving motives and help develop healthy jaw muscles.

The simple tennis ball has always been a staple toy that brings so much joy to a dog’s life at such little cost, and playing some enthusiastic games of fetch is a great way to help your Great Pyrenees stay in shape and keep you and your loyal companion’s bond strong.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR GREAT PYRENEES OWNERS

The Great Pyrenees’ is a double-coated breed with a long, beautiful coat and what looks like a thick lion’s mane around its neck but is typically more predominant in males. Their thick fur may look majestic but makes the breed heavy shedders and requires some maintenance to keep your home manageable. One solution to keep up with the shedding is to brush your Great Pyrenees outdoors at least once a week to remove any excess hair that would otherwise accumulate throughout the floors of your house. Although their undercoat sheds uncontrollably, their topcoat surprisingly repels dirt and is tangle-resistant, making grooming much more manageable. Besides regular brushing, your Great Pyrenees will require an occasional bath once every couple of months, and don’t forget about keeping up with their nails by trimming them monthly.

BEST ACCESSORIES FOR A GREAT PYRENEES

There aren’t a lot of clothing accessories that you can put on large dog breeds, especially ones as majestic as the Great Pyrenees. However, there are a few accessories worth considering for around the house and while out on adventures with your pup, such as:

• Teething toys
• Doggy gates
• Grooming supplies
• Puzzle toys
• Poop baggies
• Training treat bag
• Vest or harness
• Collapsible water bowl