Pyrenean Mountain Dog

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog — the Great Pyrenees — is a giant white livestock guardian from the mountains between France and Spain, bred to protect flocks alone in high country.

History

It worked the Pyrenees for centuries, left with the sheep to fend off wolves and bears on its own judgement, and was later kept as a guardian of châteaux. That independent guarding role shaped everything about it.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, patient and gentle with its family, yet watchful and fiercely protective when it senses a threat. Bred to work without direction, it is independent-minded and inclined to bark at night and to roam.

Care and training

It needs moderate exercise and secure fencing, and patient, consistent training that works with a dog used to thinking for itself. The thick white double coat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and patellar luxation, along with the shorter lifespan of the giant breeds. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.