Pyrenean Shepherd

Other names: Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees, Pyrenean dog, Patou, Great Pyrenees Dog
Origin
The Pyrenean dog originated in France and is known under several names, namely: Montagne des Pyrenees, Great Pyrenees, Pyrenean dog, Pyrenean dog. The Pyrenees are the natural border between Spain and France.
This breed, like other breeds of mountain dogs, descends from the dog of Tibet, a dog brought to Europe in the fifth century by migrating peoples from Asia. The Pyrenees dog is considered a relative of the Saint Bernard and Terra Nova dogs with which it was crossed.
In the seventeenth century the Pyrenees dog was the most beloved companion dog of the French nobility. With the passage of time it spread from France to the USA, then to England becoming a very well known and loved dog by everyone. In 1824, a general named Lafayette described this dog to a friend in America in the most commendable terms.
In the past this breed was used by shepherds to guard herds of wolves and bears, and later came to guard the castles and royal dwellings.
Pyrenean Shepherd's feed
Considering the size of dogs we could say that this breed requires a lot of food. In reality, when it comes to the Pyrenees, many breeders and owners say that it consumes food like any large dog, not eats more like a retriever.
This is because it is a calm dog that consumes few calories. However, your dog's diet should contain the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep its fur healthy.
The breed is known to consume products based on lamb meat that have high fat content. High fat content is one of the things that helps Pyrenees to have and keep such a beautiful coat. Products with corn do not do good for the digestion of the breed.
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a dog that can change its diet depending on the season. In the warm summer months it tends to remain inactive until the end of the day when it gets cooler.
Then meals should be recalculated so that the dog does not tend to obesity although it is said about the Pyrenees that they do not consume much more food than they need.
It is good to know that in the first year of growth when development is very important nutritional needs will be very high. In the first months it is good to feed the little ones 4 times a day. As the little one grows, until he reaches the adult degree, it is good to recalculate the quantities of food periodically.
He must always have fresh water in clean bowls to drink when he is thirsty.
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Appearance Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenees dog is a large dog, strong, aware of the strength it has, with an imposing, elegant, athletic outfit. He has a strong body, a wide and deep chest, a straight and wide back and a medium-sized and strong neck. The solid limbs are covered with fur and the paws are compact and slightly elongated.
The tail is long, streaked and bushy and is carried on the back in The Shape of a circle only when the dog is on alert, the rest of the time it hangs down. The head is trapezoidal in shape and is proportional to the body, the skull slightly rounded, the muzzle wide with black lips and the stop not too defined.
He has small brown eyes with an intelligent and gentle gaze. The ears are small, triangular slightly rounded at the tip and stick to the head.
The coat is double with a woolly and thick inner layer and an outer one formed by a long, smooth, dense, thick fur, somewhat longer at the neck, thighs and tail where it forms a rich collar meant as if to complete his beautiful and elegant appearance. The color of the coat can be: plain white or white with gray, brown, tan or light yellow spots.
A Pyrenean dog can have a height of about 70-80 cm in the male and 65-75 in the female. The weight of this dog varies between 50-60 kg for the male and 45-50 kg for the female.
Pyrenean Shepherd behavior
The Pyrenees dog has a balanced temperament, is quiet, brave, intelligent, devoted, protective inborn and loyal to the master, loving and gentle with children.
At the same time, it is an independent, proud, strong-willed, dominant dog and cannot stand being kept tied up.
They can become aggressive towards other big dogs, but they don't mind small dogs or other animals in the yard.
Pyrenean Shepherd Dog Training
They must be trained from a young age, to understand everything that the master wants from them. When they reach adulthood they have manifestations of independence, even stubbornness and are harder to train. Training should be firm, consistent, but with a gentle and loving voice.
Being a safe guard this dog has been used for centuries by mountain shepherds to guard herds of sheep, cows and goats against Wolves and bears.
Although he is reserved about strangers the Pyrenees dog is aggressive only when necessary, the rest of the time he manages to scare them with his imposing size and stature that make him look really scary.
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Features Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenees dog does not require special care, tootusi it is necessary to wash it several times a year and brush it three times a week on normal days and a little more often during the moulting period, to keep its fur clean and uncurled.
Pyrenean Shepherd disease
- hip dysplasia; a malformation of the coxofemoral joint that results in pain, lameness and consequent arthritis.
stomach torsion is a sudden life-threatening condition associated with filling the stomach with air and torsion.
- elbow disease.
Cardiopathy occurs when the heart valves stop working properly. Without treatment, heart failure may occur. Improper nutrition causes in these dogs the appearance of wet eczema.
Otitis, allergic dermatitis and elbow dysplasia can also occur. The Pyrenean Shepherd is also susceptible to several types of cancer.
Pyrenees can live between 8-10 years.