Great Pyrenees: The Ultimate Owner's Guide

Discover the Great Pyrenees, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and independent nature. Recognized as a large dog, the Great Pyrenees have their origins in France where they were initially bred as livestock guardians starting in the roots back to 3000 BC century.

In this post, we share insights from nearly 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective Great Pyrenees owners. Whether you’re considering adopting or rescuing a Great Pyrenees or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with an affectionate Great Pyrenees.

As Sniffspot user Amber says, "My Great Pyrenees has a super sweet and funny personality and is a very snuggly dog!"

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

Great Pyrenees Quick Characteristics

• Breed Type: Herding
• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 years
• Healthy Weight Range: 85 to 115 lbs
• Height Range: 25 - 32 inches
• Temperament: Affectionate, Loyal, Independent
• Coat Type: Double
• Color: white, possible marketing in gray, tan, or badger

About the Great Pyrenees

According to nearly 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Great Pyrenees, we learned that these dogs are affectionate and highly loyal. The Great Pyrenees is also known to be very friendly and social with children and very friendly with other pets.

When living with a Pyrenees, 83% of our owners indicated that a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 55% of owners found that a rural or suburban area with open spaces is also acceptable. This dog is moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer and owners say that the Great Pyrenees learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and training aids.

In terms of exercise, 44% of Sniffspot owners say their Great Pyrenees benefit from low exercise every day, including around 30 minutes of walks and playtime a day. The Sniffspot Pyrenees community would not recommend this dog for first-time owners due to its stubbornness and difficulty in training.

History and Origin of the Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a majestic breed with roots that trace back thousands of years. Originating in the Pyrenees Mountains, which border France and Spain, these dogs were bred by shepherds to guard flocks of sheep from predators like wolves and bears. Their role as guardians of livestock was so vital that they became deeply ingrained in the culture and history of the region. The breed's thick double coat was perfect for the harsh mountain climates, allowing them to work tirelessly in all weather conditions.

In the 17th century, the Great Pyrenees gained recognition beyond the mountains when they became popular among French nobility. They were even named the Royal Dog of France, admired for their strength, intelligence, and protective nature. Despite their noble status, they remained dedicated working dogs, continuing to serve alongside shepherds in the mountains. Their loyalty and calm demeanor made them ideal protectors not only of livestock but also of their human families.

As the breed spread to other parts of the world, particularly North America, the Great Pyrenees adapted to new environments but retained their guardian instincts. Today, they are cherished as both family pets and working dogs, known for their gentle disposition, independence, and unwavering devotion to their loved ones. Their history is a testament to their resilience and the enduring bond between humans and their canine protectors.

Great Pyrenees Traits and Characteristics

• Temperament: Affectionate, Loyal, Independent
• Energy Level: Low
• Trainability: Moderately trainable - Learns commands with consistent training and practice.
• Grooming needs: High maintenance - Requires frequent grooming, including regular brushing, bathing, and trimming.
• Good with Kids: Very friendly and social with children
• Good with Other Pets: Very friendly with other pets

What to Expect as a Great Pyrenees Dog Owner

As a Great Pyrenees owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips and what to expect from current Great Pyrenees owners.

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024

Grooming Needs

Great Pyrenees dogs require high-maintenance grooming. This means Great Pyrenees owners should expect frequent professional grooming sessions, including regular brushing, bathing, and trimming. Great Pyrenees dogs have a double coat, which is ideal for protection from harsh weather and predators. Their double coat is considered high shed.

To keep your Great Pyrenees' coat healthy and up to breed standards, include brushing in their daily routine to manage shedding and matting. Of the coat types for common breeds in the herding group, the grooming needs for Great Pyrenees are considered high maintenance.

Exercise Needs

Great Pyrenees require low activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Pyrenees are considered a very athletic, high-energy breed. Pyrenees make great pets and thrive with around 30 minutes of walks and playtime a day. Owners of Pyrenees report their dogs especially love digging (in a designated area or sandbox), hiking, and playdates with other dogs.

When large breeds like the Pyrenees don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out with undesirable behaviors like stubbornness or territorial resource guarding. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular low exercise to avoid excess energy.

Diet and Nutrition

What should you feed your Great Pyrenees to keep them healthy? As a relatively low-energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 58% of our community feed their Pyrenees commercial dry kibble.

With low exercise, Pyreneess should eat 3 - 4 cups daily of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 85 to 115 lbs. However, your Great Pyrenees's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.

Great Pyrenees Health Concerns

The Great Pyrenees breed is most prone to joint problems (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis) and digestive issues (e.g., bloating, sensitive stomach). A reported 43% of our Great Pyrenees owners reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Pyrenees's risk for these challenges increases as they age.

Similarly, 32% reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Lastly, 29% of Great Pyrenees owners claim their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis — a common Pyrenees health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your Pyrenees's vet.

Samuel Machala on Unsplash

How Friendly Are Great Pyrenees?

Another important thing to consider when adopting a Pyrenees is whether or not they fit with your current family. How friendly are Great Pyrenees compared to other large-sized breeds?

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

With moderate training, you can hone your Pyrenees's herding instinct into an affectionate and loyal family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like stubborn independence or territorial guarding.

Our community of Great Pyrenees owners comments on their pet's friendliness:

• She's a gentle giant. So considerate of me and others. Excellent with children. Everyone who knows her loves her. A guardian of our home and her humans. She saved a fawn from a fox in our backyard! She's my best friend. (Mary Ann)
• Highly intelligent, sensitive, loyal, caring, protective, and expressive. (JA)
• She’s super sweet and silly. She makes us laugh every day and melts my heart with her routine snuggles. (Kelli)

How to Train Your Great Pyrenees

Whether you're adopting a Pyrenees puppy or an adult Great Pyrenees, training is a significant part of owning a large-sized breed. Without proper training, your Pyrenees is more likely to display undesirable behaviors. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your Pyrenees.

As a herding breed, Great Pyrenees benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our Pyrenees community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:

• Positive Reinforcement (92%): This includes treats, praise, rewards, and so on for positive behavior
• Consistent Routines (43%): A consistent training routine allows your pet to get comfortable with expectations
• Training Aids (42%): Dog training aids like martingale collars, walking harnesses, and no-pull attachments

As dogs bred as livestock guardians, Pyrenees are considered moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer.

What Do Owners Love About Great Pyrenees?

We asked Sniffspot Pyrenees owners what they love the most about their Great Pyrenees pups, and here's what they had to say:

• Intelligence, kindness, and emotional sensitivity. Their giant size is a plus as well! (LS)
• Extremely loyal, sweetest personality. They genuinely want to be good dogs and service the family in a positive way. (Paige)
• Their versatility. Ours are working LGDs on our farm, but all 3 are also certified AKC Canine Good Citizens and one is also a certified Therapy Dog. They are extremely loyal to their family. (Sandy)

What Are the Biggest Challenges for Great Pyrenees Owners?

Similarly, Pyrenees owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with their Great Pyrenees:

• They are very stubborn (and large, so you can’t force them to do anything) and they shed a lot. (Allie)
• Not a problem for me, but fierce Independence and a clear understanding of training and expectation but no true "obedience." They clearly understand what is being asked of them but make their own decisions regarding what they'd like to do. (LS)
• Overall perfect, the only thing we struggle with is jealousy when other dogs are around me (the owner) she’s not aggressive or mean she will just immediately put herself between me and the other dog and push them away due to jealousy. She also sheds a lot. (Paige)

Is a Great Pyrenees Right for a First-Time Dog Owner?

Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey

According to 74% of our Sniffspot community, Great Pyrenees are not a great first-time dog. This comes from their affectionate nature and low exercise needs. Great Pyrenees owners say it best:

• He’s reactive even with training and socialization but he’s also loving, fun, cuddly, easy to travel with. I feel safe with my dogs. (K)
• Very independent, selective listening. The breed is very independent protecting their flock so they will ignore your commands frequently. (Mark)
• They are bullheaded. He listens to commands when he wants, if he wants, and at his own pace. (Kiko)

Advice for Great Pyrenees Owners

Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy Pyrenees owners. These Great Pyrenees breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:

Be a patient owner.

• Patience, love, commitment, good fencings, GPS collars, and a dog door that allows them to freely go in or out to a large, with a few goats, property (Sandy)
• Have patience with them when training and always stay consistent with it. They need good socialization as they are guardian dogs they will try to protect you from anything that moves. Understand they will bark a lot and be super loving to them because they will be the best cuddly dogs if you are. (MC)

Keep up with a strict grooming routine.

• Do not skip out on professional and consistent training as well as professional and consistent grooming. Daily brushing is a MUST. (Kiko)
• Grooming! Heavy undercoat that mats easily if not brushed frequently. (Tracey)

Make sure you have enough space for your Great Pyrenees.

• I didn’t have a lot of space at my home when I first got this breed, which I felt bad about. They are definitely best in a farm environment and that is what they’re bred for. My dog now has a large yard (no farm animals) that he likes to roam around. (Leila)
• Ensure you have a lot of space and time! They are amazing dogs but require a lot of training (can be super stubborn) and space to run around. (SA)

Ensure you have a strong training background — or get professional help.

• These dogs are tricky to train. They need consistent work on their training and they are very protective so they bark at EVERYTHING. (MC)
• Be ready to commit to structured training or have the help of a professional trainer. Especially with large breed dogs, and Pyrs in general who were originally bred as working guardians, if you want them to be successful in a home setting where they’re not working in the way they were meant to you should make sure you have the time or financial ability to have their needs met outside of this. I say financial ability to mean that if you don’t have the time to commit to training them yourself, you really should be ready to seek the help of a professional trainer if needed! (Naomi Smith)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Great Pyrenees

What is the average lifespan of a Great Pyrenees?

The average lifespan of a Great Pyrenees is typically between 10 - 12 years.

What is the average size of a Great Pyrenees?

An adult Great Pyrenees weighs between 85 to 115 lbs pounds and stands between 25 - 32 inches tall.

How much grooming does a Great Pyrenees need?

Great Pyrenees dogs require high-maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Great Pyrenees dogs have a double coat, which is well-suited for protection from harsh weather and predators. They are considered high shedders.

To maintain your Great Pyrenees' coat, it's important to brush regularly to manage shedding and matting. Among herding breeds, Great Pyrenees grooming is categorized as more complicated.

How much exercise does a Great Pyrenees need?

Great Pyrenees requires low activity each day. Though one of the larger herding dog breeds, Pyrenees are classified as a minimally athletic, low-energy breed.

Pyrenees are excellent companions and thrive with around 30 minutes of walks and playtime a day. Owners of Pyrenees note that their dogs particularly enjoy digging (in a designated area or sandbox), hiking, and playdates with other dogs.

If large breeds like Pyrenees don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.

How friendly are Great Pyrenees with children?

According to our data, Great Pyrenees are very friendly and social with children with children.

How well do Great Pyrenees get along with other pets?

Our research indicates that Great Pyrenees are very friendly with other pets with other pets.

What should you feed your Great Pyrenees to keep them healthy?

As a low-energy breed, the diet of your Pyrenees is crucial. A significant 58% of our community feed their Pyrenees commercial dry kibble.

For optimal health, Pyrenees should consume 3 - 4 cups daily cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 85 to 115 lbs pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Great Pyrenees's sex, activity level, and age.

What health concerns are common for Great Pyrenees?

The Great Pyrenees breed is particularly prone to joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, osteosarcoma, and digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Our data shows that 43% of Great Pyrenees owners reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Pyrenees's risk for these health issues increases as they age.

Additionally, 32% reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Finally, 29% of Great Pyrenees owners indicated their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis, which are common Pyrenees health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your Pyrenees's veterinarian.

Resources for Great Pyrenees Owners

Whether you're a current Great Pyrenees dog owner or you're considering adopting a Pyrenees, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Great Pyrenees owners.

• Most Popular Pyranees Dog Names
• National Great Pyrenees Dog Rescue
• Great Pyranees Club of America
• How to Train a Herding Dog Breed
• Herding Breed Dog Rescues

Sources:

• Great Pyrenees - Dog Breeds. (American Kennel Club)
• Great Pyrenees Rescue Society. (Great Pyrenees Rescue Society About Us)