About the Breed
To know Pyrs is love them. In fact, many people who have owned Pyrs find they can't live without them! That being said, there are both positives and negatives to owning a Great Pyrenees dog. If you are thinking about rescuing a Pyr to be a companion animal and you are unfamiliar with the breed, this page outlines some facts to consider.
Pyrs are from the group of dogs classified by the AKC as working dogs. They ranked number 58 in breed registrations in 2006. As a point of comparison among the larger dogs, St. Bernards ranked as #39 and Newfoundlands were 44th in number of AKC registrations.
Guarding
Great Pyrenees earned their place in the working dog world by being livestock guardian dogs (LGDs). Pyrs were bred to be left alone with sheep and goats in the Basque region of the Pyrenees Mountains along the border of France and Spain. Their basic personality differs from other breeds, since most breeds were developed to take commands from people, while Pyrs were encouraged to work on their own.
Pyrs have a strong instinct to guard and this comes to them naturally, without any training. In the mind of a Pyr, guarding a human family is not much different from guarding a flock of sheep. Because they are guardian dogs, Pyrs can be very intimidating to unexpected visitors. It is up to the owner to act responsibility to protect visitors and the dog from encounters that could result in any harm.
Training
Pyrs have a strong independent streak and are not easily obedience-trained. Training is a challenge for most owners, so if you require a dog who will display unquestioning obedience, you should probably look elsewhere.
Pyrs need room. They should be confined to a spacious, well-fenced area, or they will exercise their powerful instinct to establish and patrol a large territory. As a rule, invisible in-the-ground electric fencing is not recommended. It may keep your dog in (if you are lucky) but it will not keep other dogs or critters out.
The command "Come" is a challenge for most Pyrs. When out of a fenced area, Pyrs should be kept on lead at all times. It is commonly acknowledged that the word for a Pyr off lead is "disapyr".
Barking
Pyrs will bark—at neighbors, at woodland creatures, or if a leaf falls from a tree. Some dogs bark more than others but the instinct is there, since that is how they deter predators. The barking can cause problems with neighbors, and it is a major reason why dogs are given up for rescue. Please consider your situation—and your neighbors' sensibilities—before you commit to a Pyr.
Shedding
Big, white, fluffy dogs produce big, white, fluffy dust bunnies. Pyrs shed, no way around it. They are a double-coated breed and will completely blow their coat at certain times of the year. On the practical side, if you spin (or know someone who does), you can gather this fluffy white stuff into garbage bags. Once washed, spun into yarn and crocheted or knitted, the material has a soft, angora-like consistency reminiscent of the big, fluffy white creatures it comes from. It's an ancient practice, one whose origins and uses are discussed here.
Whether you choose to recycle your dog's fur or not, it is important to keep up with grooming to avoid matting and skin problems. The need for grooming will vary by the type of coat your dog has, your industriousness and your dog's tolerance for being groomed.
Drooling, Digging and Marking
It is not uncommon for Pyrs to drool, dig crater-sized holes in your yard or mark their territory. Most owners accept these attributes, come to an "arrangement" with their dogs or spend a lifetime trying to correct them.
All in all, Pyrs are calm, gentle giants who make wonderful pets. They are usually good with children and small animals and they add an abundance of unconditional love and tranquility into our busy lives.
Still wondering if a Pyr is right for you? For more information about the breed, visit this highly informative page.
Recommended reading includes:
A New Owner's Guide to Great Pyrenees, by Kim Lasley (TFH Publications, 2001).
Great Pyrenees (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series), by Juliette Cunliffe (Kennel Club Books, 2004).
Great Pyrenees (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals), by Joan Hustace Walker (Barron's Educational Series, 1999).
Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care, and Training, by Orysia Dawydiak & David E. Sims (Alpine Blue Ribbon Books; 2nd edition, 2004).
