Great Pyrenees
A mountain livestock guardian that works at night and barks to warn off what it cannot yet see. Double dewclaws on the hind legs, and it decides for itself.
Photo by Dallas Krentzel, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Great Pyrenees, called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Britain, is a livestock guardian bred to live with flocks in the Pyrenees and defend them against wolves and bears without a shepherd present. It is white so shepherds could distinguish it from predators at a distance.
Like the standard on several French herding breeds, double dewclaws on the hind legs are required.
Temperament
Calm, patient and profoundly independent. Pyrenees are gentle with their families and with stock, and they are decisive about threats.
They are nocturnal by inclination, patrolling and barking at night, which is the job and which neighbours notice. They are also independent thinkers who do not take direction well, because a guardian dog that waits for orders is useless. Recall is poor and they roam.
Care and grooming
A thick weatherproof double coat that needs brushing weekly and daily through the two enormous moults. It should not be shaved. It is remarkably self cleaning.
Hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation and bloat are the main concerns. They are also sensitive to anaesthesia and often need lower doses than weight suggests. Ten to twelve years.
Living and exercise
Territory rather than exercise sessions, plus a fence they cannot go through or over, because they extend boundaries they consider theirs.
They suit smallholdings with stock, which is the only setting where the barking, the roaming and the independence all make sense. In a suburban garden they are a neighbour dispute waiting to happen.
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