Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Facts & Information

Great Pyrenees dogs have existed for centuries. Also known as Pyrs, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, and Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées, they were initially bred by mountain farmers in Europe for herding.

Physically, Great Pyrenees have two distinctive features: their large size and bright white coat. But many people also know them as adoring family pets.

“They are very loyal and endearing dogs,” says Tina Wells, breeder at Wells’ Providence Pyrenees. “Once they imprint on their charges, they will protect you with their life if need be.”

Breed Characteristics

Appearance

The first thing you’ll notice about these dogs is their size—and adult males tend to be the largest, according to Wells.

• Males weigh between 100 and 140 pounds and reach a height of 27 to 32 inches.
• Females weigh between 100 and 120 pounds and reach a height of 25 to 29 inches.

A purebred Pyrenees will have a coat that is either solid white or white with badger marks. “Many puppies have the badger coloring but turn solid as white adults because the marks fade with age,” Wells explains. Their long, thick, and fluffy coat keeps them warm in cold temperatures—but is also ideal for human strokes and snuggles! 

While some breeds, like Mastiffs, come in several types, there’s only one “true” type of Great Pyrenees. However, thanks to its desirable traits, breeders have crossed them with other dogs.

Some popular mixes include the Shepnese, a Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd cross, and Anatolian Pyrenees, a Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd cross.

Origin And History

As Great Pyrenees date back thousands of years, their exact history isn’t entirely known. But according to the Great Pyrenees Club of America, these dogs likely originated from around Turkey. Due to their large size and good working instincts, they were bred in the Pyrenees mountains to herd livestock. 

They first arrived in the United States in the mid-1600s. In the years following, they were crossbred with numerous other breeds, leading to a decline of “pure” Great Pyrenees dogs.

In the early 1900s, several European gentlemen decided to restore this breed to its former glory. They sourced “pure” Great Pyrenees in the wild to breed in Paris and also wrote the first breed standard guide. The American Kennel Club officially recognized Great Pyrenees in 1933.

Personality And Lifestyle

Despite their large, looming size, there’s nothing scary about Great Pyrenees dogs.

“They’re a relaxed and yet vigilant guardian that loves to play and knows when to work,” says Benjamin Bleess, breeder at Up North Pyrenees.

Great Pyrenees were initially bred to herd, and they have maintained this instinct over the years. “Their ability to discern threats to their family or flock from shady characters or dangerous animals gives them the title ‘gentle giant’,” Bleess says. “They love to guard and take care of smaller and weaker animals.”

Their affable nature generally makes them great with children and other pets. “They are wonderful family pets and can do well in most situations and settings,” Wells says, adding that this depends on their upbringing and how much commitment the breeder and pet parents puts into early training.

Great Pyrenees have a fantastic ability to recognize what their pet parents think and feel. “It’s almost uncanny how they know when you are sad or hurting, so they make great therapy dogs,” Wells says.

Ideal Environment

These very large dogs won’t do well in a small apartment. Plus, their tendency to bark, often loudly, can also upset neighbors who live nearby.

“Pyrs will bark at unfamiliar sounds, so an apartment with thin walls can be problematic,” Wells says.

If you live in a home with a yard, garden, or farm space, make sure you have a secure fence to keep your dog at home.

Wells says the Great Pyrenees’ guardian nature means they like to be in control to keep their charges safe. They will patrol their territory and make rounds to let predators know they are present—so they need a fence as a barrier to designate their territory, or they will consider all the territory theirs.

Although known for minding livestock, these dogs don’t need as much exercise as some other herding breeds, like Border Collies.

“This is a low metabolism breed, so, as adults, they don’t require hours of exercise or play,” Wells explains. “They are content to be a flock guardian or family companion that lounges around with its charges.”

That said, they do require more physical activity and stimulation in their energetic puppy years.

As they form close bonds with their human family members, Great Pyrenees can develop separation anxiety. If the house is empty for long periods during the day, you could install a pet camera to see how they do without you. Training and behavior therapy sessions can help dogs overcome separation anxiety. 

Training

Great Pyrenees remain puppies for around two years—but you don’t have to wait until they mature to start training. “Begin training your Pyr as soon as they’re settled in and feeling safe in the new environment,” recommends Nicole Kohanski, Founder, Dog Behavior Expert, and Trainer at Wiggle Butt Academy. 

While some Great Pyrenees have a stubborn streak, they’re still very trainable. It’s crucial to stay kind and patient during the process and avoid using fear or force to coerce behaviors. 

Training this breed can be made easier by incorporating environmental and touch cues. “Instead of prompting ‘sit’ before the exit, teach your Pyr that a hand touching the doorknob means ‘sit’,” Kohanski suggests.

Great Pyrenees also thrive on repetition and routine. “Working the behaviors you need frequently at predictable times, using clear patterns, will assist your training mission greatly,” she adds. 

Good socialization is critical. You don’t want to deal with an angry or spooked dog at the park—especially not one that weighs over 100 pounds!

“Think about all the things your dog will interact with during their life and work hard to create positive associations with them,” Kohanski says. This includes everything from people, cars, and other pets to smells and sounds. 

Boredom can also encourage unwanted behaviors, like aggression. “A smart, bored, working Pyr may react strongly to things perceived as unsafe,” Kohanski says. Consider incorporating agility training into their routine to keep the body and mind active.

Grooming Needs

Thanks to their thick coats, Great Pyrenees shed all year long—but they typically have one or two times a year where they shed excessive amounts, says Julia Benning, Grooming Advisory Board Leader at Well Groomed Pets. Bigger sheds are usually triggered by changes in daylight hours in preparation for seasonal changes, she adds.

The length and thickness of Great Pyrenees’ fur means their coats have a tendency to become matted.

“This serves great purpose in protecting the Great Pyrenees from the bite of an invading predator, but serves no purpose for our pet Pyrs, and can actually be a detriment to their wellness,” Benning says.

Brushing weekly, at the very least, if not daily, can help prevent matting. Along with brushing, they’ll need monthly baths to keep their skin and coat healthy. Great Pyrenees parents should also aim to get their dog professionally groomed at least every three months. 

You don’t need lots of expensive tools to maintain their coats, just a slicker brush, comb, and undercoat rake. The slicker brush and comb will help remove tangles and loose coat, Benning says, while the undercoat rake can penetrate all the way to the skin and remove dead undercoat sitting on the skin.

Health

Like many purebreed dogs, Great Pyrenees do tend to develop some specific health issues, according to Dr. Kwane Stewart, Chief Veterinary Officer at Kismet.

These issues include:

• Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV): GDV (bloat) is common among large, deep-chested breeds, such as Great Pyrenees. “The stomach essentially flips on its axis, and it’s life-threatening if it’s not corrected,” says Dr. Stewart. He recommends feeding your dog smaller meals a little more often, rather than letting them gorge on a big meal, to help prevent bloat. Learning to recognize signs of bloat can also help you catch it quickly.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia: Dysplasia is a genetic condition that occurs when the ball and socket of the joint don’t fit together correctly. “Over time, it starts to bang and jam in an awkward way and create arthritis,” Dr. Stewart says. He says it’s important to get a Great Pyrenees from a reputable breeder who knows their dogs don’t carry this gene. Symptoms become severe faster in overweight dogs, so weight management can help.
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer): Any breed can develop this concern, which is usually hereditary and can’t be prevented. Great Pyrenees have a slightly higher risk of this type of cancer, and it tends to show up at a younger age, according to Dr. Stewart.
• Degenerative myelopathy: This condition involves degeneration of the nerves and muscles and leads to paralysis over time. It’s usually genetic, Dr. Stewart says. It doesn’t have a treatment or cure.
• Obesity: Dr. Stewart explains that weight control is important for all dogs but particularly for bigger breeds. The Great Pyrenees is already a very large dog, and when they start to gain weight, the risk of all the conditions noted above generally increases, he says. He recommends working with your vet to choose a high-quality diet for large breed dogs.

Getting A Great Pyrenees

Wells says that sourcing a dog from a reputable breeder can help ensure you’re getting a “pure” Great Pyrenees. Quality breeders also typically conduct health tests on the parent dogs to make sure the pups will have the best health possible. “Health testing is vital to ensure you are receiving a healthy, emotionally balanced dog,” Wells says.

However, you can often find Great Pyrenees at rescue centers. For instance, the National Great Pyrenees Rescue works to rehome rescued Pyrs across the US and Canada, while the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society is a Texas-based organization.

Just know that when you adopt your new friend from a rescue, you likely won’t get a guarantee they’re purebred. And, as when getting any dog from a shelter, their history may mean they require additional training or rehabilitation support.  

Checking out reputable marketplaces, such as GoodDog and the American Kennel Club, can help provide an idea of adoption costs.

If you plan to adopt a purebred Great Pyrenees puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay around $2,000. Getting a Great Pyrenees from a rescue center is usually cheaper, with an average cost of around $450.

Alternative Dog Breeds To Consider

Great Pyrenees dogs have a stubborn nature that may make them a challenging dog for first-time dog parents. Plus, even though they have a gentle personality, their large size and weight means they may not be the best fit for homes with very young children.

If a Great Pyrenees doesn’t seem quite right for you, these alternative breeds with similar personalities and appearances may be a better match:

• Newfoundland
• Irish Wolfhound
• Great Dane
• Golden Retriever 
• Old English Sheepdog
• Mastiff
• Labrador Retriever

Resources

• Benning, J. (2024). Personal interview.
• Bleess, B. (2024). Personal interview.
• Great Pyrenees Club of America. (n.d.). History of the Great Pyrenees. https://greatpyrenees.club/history-of-the-great-pyrenees
• Kohanski, N. (2024). Personal interview.
• Stewart, K. (2024). Personal interview.
• Wells, T. (2024). Personal interview.