This gentle, woolly giant makes quite an impression, and once you get to know one for yourself, it’s not much of a surprise that they come from a long line of protectors. According to AKC, Great Pyrenees were bred centuries ago to work as herders in the Pyrenees mountains, watching over flocks and scaring away wolves and bears.
Though they look forbidding enough to scare away predators, they’re cuddly teddy bears inside—with endless love and affection for family members, a penchant for patience, and an impressive weatherproof double-coat that can be all white or white with markings of gray, tan, reddish-brown, or badger.
Their coif is one of their most noticeable assets, and though it might seem like an intimidating amount to manage, it’s actually fairly easy to keep under control—and it even has its own sort of self-cleaning system down!
Regardless, any amount of brushing, raking, and trimming is worth it for this breed. Their loyalty and kindness will capture your heart in an instant.
But, to help you with the whole hair maintenance issue, here are some Great Pyrenees grooming tips that are unique to this breed.
Basic Grooming Advice
Keeping your Great Pyrenees looking incredible is all about tending to their fluffy tresses. They don’t need endless trips to the groomers, but they do need some serious upkeep on your part to prevent mats and keep them looking tidy. Here are some tips:
- Spend about 30 minutes a week brushing your pup to prevent mats and tangles. The best brush is a curved-bristle metal slicker followed by a wide-toothed stainless steel comb or grooming rake. Essentially, you want something that’s able to penetrate all the way through the fur. Make sure to really get the fluff around the neck, the tail, the rear, and their back legs.
- Check them regularly for any eye, ear, or mouth issues—you have to be on top of things since much can be hidden under that oversized coat.
- It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s dewclaw (they have them in the front and back), because if they aren’t trimmed up, they can curl and stab them in the leg—ouch!
- They’ll only need a bath every 3 to 4 months since their coat doesn’t really hold dirt (or it can usually be brushed out). You don’t want to go overboard, lest you irritate their skin.
- Don’t shave your Great Pyrenees, even in the summer. Their double coat helps keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so aside from a little trimming, it should be left on the longer side.
- Also, prepare yourself for a GIANT amount of shedding once or twice a year when your Pyrenees is “blowing their coat.” During this time you’re going to want to brush your pup lots—and it’ll be over before you know it. (OK, maybe we’re being a little optimistic there.)
Top Great Pyrenees Hairstyles
1. Thin & Trim (T & T)
As we mentioned before, shaving this dog is never a good idea because their double coat protects them from both sun and cold conditions. But there are some owners who want their Great Pyrenees to be just a tad less fluffy. To make these folks happy groomers will sometimes do the T & T (Thin & Trim) haircut to clean things up a bit.
This cut involves using a large size snap-on comb (like Andis O, A, C or E) for trimming up the coat while keeping their good looks front and center. Grooming shears are also used to scissor-sculpt the rest of your pup, following their natural outline.
2. The Show Look
However you decide to groom your Great Pyrenees, they’re going to look dignified, regal and oh-so-sweet—and you’ll be happy once you find the right style that fits in with your family (and budget, and free time).
Just remember to always pay attention to the cues that your dog is giving you, and if something is causing them stress, then it may be time to find a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas and grooming tips have been useful for jazzing up your pup’s coif. Happy clipping!