Are you looking for a large yet elegant-looking dog? The Great Pyrenees is a breed that you might want to consider. This breed is apparently a giant breed that is known for its beautiful thick coat. Its appearance pretty much displays its incredible power, which is evident on the field. Built to work, this dog is a tough breed that works best in various circumstances and could withstand harsh environments.
With all the Great Pyrenees’ outstanding qualities, it is no doubt that this breed earns a reputation as one of the most significant working breeds. Its recognition is often known for its early employment as mountain dogs, guarding herds against ferocious wolves. The Great Pyrenees is a remarkable breed up to our world today, wherein it still serves as an excellent guardian for the family.
Origins of the Great Pyrenees
Similar to other breeds, the Great Pyrenees originated from a place where its name was derived. We can trace back its origins to hundreds of years ago in the Pyrenees Mountains, which is the natural border between France and Spain. During its early existence, breeders developed this breed solely to work with other dogs in the mountains.
Like most guard dogs, the Great Pyrenees used to guard the flock against predators, such as wolves and bears. This breed was employed as a flock guardian for a long time, wherein it earned a reputation as an outstanding guard dog. Other features contribute to the greatness of the Great Pyrenees; it is highly intelligent; it showcases incredible devotion towards its job, wherein its patience is a key factor for it to perform its job properly. Breeders admire this dog for its extreme patience; it does not mind sitting on the freezing fields for hours just to get the job done.
The outstanding qualities possessed by the Great Pyrenees earned it the recognition of French royal families during the 17th century. Its significance during that time made it the Royal Dog of France under the rule of King Louis XIV. Interestingly, the Great Pyrenees never fails to flaunt its expertise on the field; as expected, it remains to stand tall as a powerful guardian. Today the Great Pyrenees still serves as a remarkable guardian for various homes.
Characteristics of the Great Pyrenees
Height: 25 – 32 inches
Weight: 85 – 100 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years
Hypoallergenic: No
As mentioned earlier, the Great Pyrenees is a large breed packed with incredible qualities. It could stand up to roughly thirty-two inches tall and weighs up to a hundred pounds. From the name itself, it is apparent that this dog is built for greatness.
Along with the breed’s massive size comes a weatherproof coat that is color white, and sometimes with various patterns. Its soft appearance goes well with its affectionate nature; it has a sweet face that comes with eyes expressing its gentle nature. The Great Pyrenees is undoubtedly a concrete display of power and calmness.
Besides the Great Pyrenees’ massive body and beautiful coat, it is also known for its superior intelligence and soft nature. Many people admire this breed for its brilliance on the field; it is friendly towards its family but smart enough to detect strangers. This feature is what makes the Great Pyrenees an ideal guard dog, not to mention its patience and gentleness. This gentle giant is patient when it comes to its work; it makes sure to get the job done even if its task is only staring at flocks for several hours. The Great Pyrenees indeed is a dog that many dog enthusiasts would love for its commendable characteristics. Furthermore, if you are looking for the perfect guard dog and family companion, the Great Pyrenees is a breed that you should consider.
Caring for the Great Pyrenees
Like many other breeds, the Great Pyrenees is a dog that works best with high-quality dog food. However, don’t be deceived by its large structure; this dog only eats a relatively small amount of food. It is always best to seek your local vet’s diet recommendations to ensure that your dog is consuming enough nutrients for it to grow. Furthermore, also be mindful of the amount you feed your dog since it is more prone to getting bloated, which could lead to other medical conditions. With proper monitoring of your dog’s food intake, you can prevent them from getting obese, leading to other problems in the future.