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Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Introduction
Great Pyrenees (nicknamed Pyr Dog in the USA) is a Livestock guarding dog from the France side of Pyrenees Mountains( a natural border between France and Spain). In France it is referred to as Pyrenean Mountain Dog or Patou where it is widely used as a livestock guardian against wolves and bears particularly in the French Alps and Pyrenees. In the United States, it is used in North America to protect flocks from predators like black bears, coyotes, grizzly bears, and cougars. They are also used as family pets, therapy dogs, and in rescue work.
Initially bred to look after the flock at night while the shepherds were resting, a Pyr dog is a natural nocturnal. Pet parents should not be surprised that a Great Pyrenees will tend to bark at night. Therefore, they are great deterrents against burglars. They are also independent and protective dogs which make them suitable for farmers who want to protect their flock. However, due to its independent personality, obedience training can be difficult. A Pyr dog can weigh 160 pounds. Making early training necessary while still young. Otherwise, it may become physically demanding to establish obedience later with a large-sized dog.
Great Pyrenees Origin | History
Farmers in the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe bred Great Pyrenees and Pyrenean Shepherds. The former was used for guarding the flock against the bears and wolves while the later was used for herding. To perform this role, Pyr Dogs were fitted with a heavy iron wolf collar augmented with long nails for protection against the wolves. A Great Pyrenees was also used for smuggling contraband between France and Spain. They carried packs over the Pyrenees on routes impassable to humans to avoid been detected by customs officials.
During World War II, Pyrenees Dog was used for supplying artillery over the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. The Progenitors of this breed are claimed to be the white Livestock guardian dogs brought to the area during the Roman times from Asia. In 1600, Louis, Dauphin of France and Madame de Maintenon brought a Pyr dog to the Court of King Louis XIV, where the King named them the Royal Dog of France. Later on, they were used by French Nobility to guard their châteaux.
They are also claims that French Settlers brought with them the Great Pyrenees dogs in Canada. Therefore, they are considered the progenitors of Newfoundland Dog. In the early 19th century, the Pry dogs were also used as one of the foundation breeds in creation of Leonberger breed. This breed was also used in the revival of Saint Bernard following its near extinction in the hospice in the Western Alps due to increased numbers of Avalanches. The Pyr dogs were in the verge of extinction in the early 20th century following the extirpation of wolves from the Pyrenees.
Local shepherds sold their puppies to the eager tourists. The breed was established in Britain from these puppies. Bernard Senac-Lagrange, a French aristocrat and dog authority is credited with saving the dog from near-extinction. He toured the Pyrenean Mountain to collect the finest specimens available to form a breeding base. Great Pyrenees was first brought to the United States by a French military officer, Marquis de Lafayette who fought in the American Revolutionary War in 1824.
Great Pyrenees Lifespan
A Great Pyrenees dog has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years according to the American Kennel Club.
Great Pyrenees Grooming
A Great Pyrenees has a white thick double coat that is fairly easy to groom and maintain. The breed’s coat is tangle, mat, and dirt resistant. It is also good at self-cleaning through heavy shedding once or twice a year during Spring and/or Fall. Brush the coat on a weekly basis using a slicker brush or a pin brush to keep the coat looking healthy and glossy. During the heavy shedding season, Pyr Dogs shed with great enthusiasm leading to snowstorm.
Some even joke that the fur shed can be used for making fabrics for all the freezing children in Siberia. Jokes aside, daily brushing is key when a Great Pyrenees is shedding its coat to reduce the amount of hair on the surface. This is a relatively clean breed that needs to bathe occasionally. The number of baths depend on the lifestyle of a particular dog. However, a Pyr Dog is fine with a bath once every 12 to 16 weeks. Before bathing the pet, brush the coat to remove any visible dirt and loose hair.
Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner while bathing this pet. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products using lukewarm water to remove all the grooming products that may cause skin irritation. Avoid use of soapy water to clean the eyes. Just like humans, dog’s eyes also get irritated with soapy water. Instead, use a clean damp washcloth to wipe the face or friendly canine wipes. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using cotton balls soaked in an ear cleanser solution to remove excess wax, debris, and dirt.
While grooming the ears, check out for odor, redness, and a dark discharge since they are signs of dog’s ear infection. Clip the nails twice a month( every two weeks). Pet parents should keep an eye on the double declaws on the hind legs that Pyr Dogs have. Overly grown declaw can curl and stub the dog in the leg. Brush the teeth at least twice a week if not daily using a finger toothbrush and tasty canine toothpaste. Regular teeth cleaning removes excess tartar, promotes a good oral breathe, and prevents gum inflammation as well as tooth loss.
Great Pyrenees Haircuts | Grooming Styles
A Pyr Dog has a thick double coat made of a long outer coat and a soft undercoat. The double-layered coat protects the pooch against extreme heat and cold. Therefore, it should never be shaved. However, there are some pet parents who utilize a few trim in various body parts to achieve the following grooming styles;
Show Cut – This is the preferred haircut for Pyr Dogs that participate in Conformation Shows. The fur on the body is not trimmed. However, ears, eyebrows, whiskers, and feet are trimmed.
Thin & Trim – also referred as T & T. This is a haircut for Great Pyrenees Parents who want their pets a bit less fluffy. This grooming style utilizes a large size snap on coms for trimming up the coat while maintaining the good looks front and center. A groomer will as use a pair of shears to scissor-sculpt the rest of the fur on the body following its natural outline.
Great Pyrenees Grooming Tools
To fully groom a Great Pyrenees dog you will need to use the following grooming tools: a pin brush or slicker brush, a grooming table, hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner, clean damp washcloth or canine wipes, nail clippers, finger toothbrush and tasty canine toothpaste, ear cleanser solution, cotton balls, dry towel, and water.
Great Pyrenees Shedding | Shedding Season
A Great Pyrenees dog shed all-year round at moderate levels. However, Pry dogs shed heavily when experiencing seasonal change in Spring and/or Fall while blowing off the coat.
Great Pyrenees Shedding Brush
When the Pyr dog is shedding all-year round and during the heavy shedding season, use a slicker brush or pin brush to groom the coat. Brushing confines the shed hair in the brush reducing the amount of hair that spreads around the house.
Great Pyrenees Coat | Hair
A Great Pyrenees has a double thick coat that provides protection against extreme hot and cold weather. The coat is made up of an outer coat and an undercoat. The outer coat is flat and long particularly on the back of the legs, around the neck, and tail. The undercoat is soft and thick.
Great Pyrenees Hypoallergenic
Pry dogs are not hypoallergenic dogs. This is because they shed all-year round at moderate levels and heavily in Spring and/or fall. Shedding will spread dander and hair around the house. Dog’s urine, saliva, dander, hair, and mucus have a protein allergen that triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies.
Great Pyrenees Training | Training Tips
To set up a Great Pyrenees pet for a successful training, make an effort of understanding the breed. Originally, breed to work alone without the help of the shepherds while guarding flocks, these dogs are independent thinkers that have a mind of their own. They are not eager to please the owners. This may make training a bit difficult especially when teaching obedience words. Keeping this in mind will help minimize your frustrations when a Pry Dog takes ten to fifteen seconds to follow the command issued.
Training is particularly difficult during the Adolescent stages when there are setbacks. During this phase, the dog has a mind of its own and suddenly forgets everything taught in puppyhood. At this period, some owners surrender back their Pry pets to the breeders. However, patience, confidence, and consistency are key when training during this stage. Nonetheless, early socialization is recommended to ensure the dog grows into a friendly, well-adjusted, and well-mannered canine citizen. This training prevents a guard dog from becoming fearful or aggressive of new stimuli. It normally starts when the pup is with the breeder from the age of 3 weeks until the age of 16 weeks when the dog is with the owner.
Great Pyrenees Puppies go to their new homes from the age of 8 weeks. It is, therefore, recommended to get a pup from a responsible breeder who will start socialization training. To socialize your dog, expose it to a wide range of places, people, animals, situations, smell, sights, experiences, surfaces, and sounds like lawn mowers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, sirens, whistles, and baby crying sounds. Enrolling a Great Pyrenees Dog in a puppy class also serve as a form of socialization. These classes provides an opportunity where the dogs interact in a controlled environment. It also empowers a pet parent to be identify and correct bad habits like guarding resources like food and toys.
Pry dogs also thrive on positive reinforcement methods like use of treats, toys, petting, playtime, and verbal praise. These are sensitive dogs despite their large size. They will shut down from the training if they a pet parents yells, punches, kicks shoves, or hit them. Make the training sessions fun and short since these dogs easily get bored. Puppies should train for a span of 5 minutes whereas adult dogs should be taught for a period of 10 minutes. This training sessions can be distributed out throughout the day. Although, Great Pyrenees dogs are independent thinkers, obedience training is a must. Teaching basic commands words that are potentially life saving is necessary.
Some of the command words that Pry dogs can be taught include come, sit, down, heel, leave it, etc. Teach one command word at a time. Patience is needed since this breed may take even 10 seconds before responding to the command word in question. Even if it is tempting, avoid repeating the same command word over and over. Ask your dog the command word in question and wait. Using clicker training as a form of reward will also help in making this training a bit easy. Clicker training incorporates a clicking sound immediately the dog is through with the command word in question. It is immediately followed with a treat so that the dog may understand the reason behind the rewarding.
Always utter the command when not so happy or frustrated since the command words may not sound the same to your dog. For effective housebreaking, crate training, potty training, and creating a feeding schedule is key. A crate is a safe haven for the dog where it can retreat to. It is also an indispensable tool while potty training. It allows the owner to monitor the pup for signs that it wants to eliminate such as whining, squatting, circling, sniffing, and trying to lift a leg against the crate wall.
Great Pyrenees Crate Training
Contrary to the belief that a crate is device for caging animals, it offers a feeling of security for dogs since they are naturally den animals. It also keeps the puppy safe when the owner is not closely watching. A crate is also a safe haven where the dog can retreat to. The crate also teaches a puppy to be confident in staying alone for a few hours. A crate is also an indispensable tool while housebreaking since it allows the owner to monitor for signs that the dog wants to eliminate. Naturally, a Great Pyrenees and other dog breeds avoid soiling where they sleep.
When traveling by car or air for long vacations or short distances, this device comes in handy. The amount of time that the dog speeds on the crate depends on its age and the level of housebreaking. However, a crate should not be used as a form of punishing a Pry dog. Pet parents are urged to always leave the crate door open while in the house so that the pooch understands that staying in the crate is not a forced experience. Leaving the door open will also allow a Pry Dog to come into the crate as it pleases. At no time should a crate be placed in a room that tends to be too hot or cold which makes it difficult for the dog to relax.
Before starting crate training, ensure you purchase a crate that will fit an adult Great Pyrenees. Make the crate appealing and comfortable by lining it with a comfortable blanket. Throw a favorite treat and toy for your dog as it is watching to encourage it to get inside the crate. After it gets into the crate, close the cate door. If it starts whining, don’t give in and let if off the crate. However, immediately it stops whining, let it off the device. This will discourage the dog from associating whining with been let off the crate. Repeat this over and over while gradually increasing the time that the pet spends inside the crate.
To ensure the safety of a Pry Dog, remove a collar or harness, or both when the dog is about to get inside the crate. Patience, confidence, and consistency is key during this training. It may take months before a Pry dog is fully crate trained. A Great Pyrenees dog may also sleep inside the crate overnight. Put the crate in your room where the dog can see you so that it doesn’t feel alone. Cover the crate with a towel or sheet leaving only the front section uncovered. Use a specific word like ‘bedtime’ every night so that the Pry Dog understands that a crate is used for sleeping at night.
Great Pyrenees Crate Size
A Great Pyrenees needs a crate size of 54 inches.
Great Pyrenees Potty Training
Potty training large-sized dogs like Great Pyrenees is relatively easier as compared to small breeds such as Bichon Frise. This is because of the size of the bladder. Large dogs will be able to hold for a longtime as compared to small-sized dogs. The rule of thumb when potty training is understanding that an 8-week- old pup can hold for a period of 2 hours while a 12-week -old pup will hold for a period of 3 hours before eliminating. This is especially true for medium and large-sized dogs.
Before bringing a Pry Dog home, choose a designated toilet area where the dog will be doing its business. The elimination spot should be far from the BBQ spot and Patio deck. During this training, a crate is an indispensable device that will help pet parents to monitor for signs that the dog wants to eliminate such as squatting, circling, and whining. For effective potty training, take a Great Pyrenees outside every time it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, after an exciting activity such as a car ride and playtime, before bedtime, and after naps. However, the potty break time may be every 6 hours after the dog is 8 months old.
When you take your dog to the elimination spot, utter the command word ‘toilet’ or ‘potty’ depending on your preference. However, at no time should the command words be used interchangeably to avoid confusing the dog. Remain in the designated area for a period of 15 minutes to allow the dog to relax the bladder and bowel muscles for a pee or poo. If the dog fails to eliminate, take it to the toilet spot after another 15 -minutes.
Before a Pry Dog is fully housebroken, it may experience accidents in the house. When this happens, avoid yelling at the dog. Instead, utter a firm No and take the dog to the designated elimination area. Once the dog eliminates, give it a treat so that it may associate eliminating outside with rewarding. Remember to clean the mess using an iodine solution or an enzymatic detergent to remove the odor. Failure to remove the odor, encourages the dog to eliminate in the same spot once it sniffs. Before the age of 16 weeks, a pet parent should set an alarm to take the dog to the elimination spot at least once during the night.
Great Pyrenees Temperament | Traits
- Independent.
- Protective.
- Intelligent.
- Keen.
- Wary of strangers.
- Affectionate especially towards children.
- Gentle.
- Trustworthy.
- Docile.
- Calm.
- Confident.
Great Pyrenees Energy Level | Exercise
A Great Pyrenees has moderate energy levels. It is not a highly active breed. They were bred to guard and protect flocks from human foes, bears, and wolves. Moderate exercise such as walks will help to keep them happy and healthy. A Pry dog can also be exercised physically and mentally by participating in canine activities such as cart pulling and obedience trials.
Great Pyrenees Barking
They are naturally nocturnal dogs that have a tendency to bark at night. A Pry Dog is also known for barking loudly to ward off intruders. This dog also has an extraordinary sense of sound and sight. It will bark to an intruder while inside the house.
Great Pyrenees Growling
Dogs growl as a form of communication while in pain, feeling lonely, or guarding resources such as food and their toys. However, growling due to resource guarding should be discouraged when the puppy is still young.
Great Pyrenees Height
According to AKC, a female Pry dog has a height of 25 to 29 inches ( approx. 64 to 74 cm) while its male counterpart has a height of 27 to 32 inches ( approx. 69 to 81 cm).
Great Pyrenees Weight
The least weight that a Male Great Pyrenees should have is 100 pounds ( approx. 45 kg) while its female counterpart should weigh at least 85 pounds ( approx. 39 kg). This is according to the AKC(American Kennel Club).
Great Pyrenees Size
A Great Pyrenees is a large-sized powerful working dog. However, the Male Pry dog is slightly bigger in size as compared to its female counterpart in terms of height and weight. Great Pyrenees Males have a height of 27 to 32 inches ( approx. 69 to 81 cm) and a weight of at least 100 pounds ( approx. 45 kg) while its female counterpart has a height of 25 to 29 inches ( approx. 64 to 74 cm) and a weight of at least 85 pounds ( approx. 39 kg).
Great Pyrenees Aggressive
Properly socialized and trained Great Pyrenees are calm, docile, independent, confident, protective, and wary of strangers. However, they are not aggressive dogs. Even though, aggressiveness may depend on an individual dog. A poorly socialized Great Pyrenees may be fearful or aggressive of new stimulus. Therefore, properly socialize these dogs by exposing them to new people, situations, animals, sounds, texture, sight, and smell. This will make a dog to decipher correctly before attacking a person or an animal.
Great Pyrenees Bite Force
Reportedly, a Great Pyrenees has a bite force of 500 PSI.
Great Pyrenees Biting
Puppy biting and nipping is rapid while the dog is teething due to discomfort, when exploring its surrounding, and when playing. Puppy biting may seem adorable but not for long after the dog matures and has serious biting issues. Pet parents should discourage biting before it develops into a habit through redirection and bite inhibition training.
Great Pyrenees Hair Loss
A Great Pyrenees experiences normal hair loss all-year round and heavily in Spring and fall in a process referred to as hair loss. However, hair loss in patches may be attributed to the following reasons:
Hormones – Changes in hormonal levels can result to thinning of the coat. During the heat cycle, female Pry dogs have an increase in estrogen levels that leads to hair loss.
Allergies – A Great Pyrenees is affected by food, skin, contact, and environmental allergies. Skin allergies cause hair loss, itchiness, scratching, biting, dry flaky skin, and redness. Whereas, Environmental allergies such as flea cause flea allergy dermatitis that causes excessive scratching and biting until the skin around the bite area is raw. This causes hair loss in patches.
Stress – If Great Pyrenees are left alone for a long period of time, they may suffer from separation anxiety which causes undesirable behaviors such as destructive chewing, scratching the walls, and excessive licking and biting of the feet and paws. This will cause lick granuloma which results to hair loss in the excessively licked body parts.
Hypothyroidism – This is a health condition that results in inadequate production of the thyroxine hormone by the thyroid gland. This hormone is in charge of controlling metabolism. Some of the signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, thinning of the coat, dark pigmentation, lethargy, and weight gain without an increase in appetite.
Mange – A Great Pyrenees may suffer from demodex and sarcoptic mange. Demodex mange is naturally present in the coats of the dog. However, they become an issue when the immune system is not able to control them leading to hair loss. Whereas Sarcoptic mange is spread from dog to dog and can also be transmitted to humans. It causes hair loss and crusting lesions first on the ears and elbows.
Great Pyrenees Ear Infection | Ear Problems
A Great Pyrenees has triangular shaped ears that are rounded at the tips. The ears are carried flat against the head protecting the ear canal against dirt. However, these ears also prevent air flow into the ear which may lead to moisture accumulation. Ears that cover the ear canal also create a dark and humid environment for bacteria to thrive. Causes of ear infections in Great Pyrenees include excess dirt, wax, or debris, injury to the ear canal, moisture, excessive cleaning, yeast imbalance, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, and ear mites.
A Pry dog is predisposed to three types of ear infections including externa, media, and interna otitis. However, the most common infection is externa otitis which causes inflammation to the cells located in the external ear canal. If left untreated, the infection spreads to the middle and inner ear canal. Inflammation to the the middle ear canal and inner ear canal is media and interna otitis respectively. These infections cause facial paralysis, deafness, and vestibular signs such as dizziness, blurred vision, and disorientation.
Some of the symptoms that a Great Pyrenees exhibits while suffering from an ear infection includes walking in circles, head shaking, disorientation, rubbing the affected ear against the surface, odor, pain, itchiness, scabs to the affected ear, dark discharge, and redness. Once the owner notices the above signs, he or she should immediately book an appointment with the vet. Once they get there, physical examination will be conducted to look for signs of ear infection. A swab will also be taken from the infected eye.
If the Great Pyrenees is in great pain, the vet will sedate to facilitate thorough ear cleaning using a medicated ear cleanser solution and cotton balls. While going home, a vet may prescribe a topical medication and an ear cleanser. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory and oral antibiotics are prescribed by the vet. Owners should ensure that pry dog completes the prescribed dose even if the symptoms go away to avoid resistant ear infections.
Apart from Great Pyrenees, other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Great Pyrenees Eye Problems
Some of the eye problems that a Great Pyrenees is susceptible to include:
Cataracts – A Pry dog that is suffering from this eye condition has a whitish and cloudy pupils which affects its vison. If left unattended, it causes vision loss.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an inherited eye condition caused by a group of degenerative diseases that affect the photoreceptors cells causing progression loss of vision and eventually blindness.
Entropion – This is an eye condition that makes the eyelid to roll inward causing the eyelashes to rub against cornea. It results to pain and bacterial eye infection due to injury to the cornea.
Great Pyrenees Health Issues | Common Health Problems
Although a Great Pyrenees is a relatively healthy breed, it is predisposed to some health issues including eye disorders like cataracts, elbow and hip dysplasia, allergies, cancer, luxating patella, ear infection, chondrodysplasia(dwarfism), Neuronal Degeneration, neurological and immune-mediated disorders, as well as bloat(gastric torsion). This is a life-threatening condition that affects large-sized dogs with a deep chest.
Bloat causes the stomach to distend and sometimes to twist. A Great Pyrenees is predisposed to such a health condition if it feeds one large meal a day, exercises vigorously one hour before or after meals, and drinks large amounts of water after eating. Pry dogs parents are urged to understand more about the signs of bloat and what to do in such a situation.
Great Pyrenees Names
A pet of a Great Pyrenees may decide to choose a name for the fur baby before taking it from the breeder or a few days after living with the dog to understand more on its personality. An owner may get names inspirations from the coat color, origin of the breed, personality, celebrity Pry dogs, movies, songs, food, nature, historical figures, and pop culture.
Regardless of where you get the name inspiration, ensure that the name chosen won’t make you embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places. The name should freely roll of your tongue. A Pry dog and other dog breeds understand better a name that has vowels in it.
Avoid giving your dog a name that rhymes with command words since it will cause confusion. A pet parent who settle with a long name should find a cute nickname for the pooch. In a scenario where a Great Pyrenees shares a name with a family member, or people who frequent your home, it would create a recipe for confusion.
Female Great Pyrenees Names
- Nova.
- Ginger.
- Luna.
- Bianca.
- Trixie.
- Poppy.
- Abby.
- Zoey.
- Nala.
- Bella.
- Sadie.
- Cookie, etc.
Great Pyrenees Seizures
A Great Pyrenees is also predisposed to fits, convulsions, or seizures. This is the disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain that is usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. Causes of seizures are categorized into three; primary, secondary, and reactive seizures.
Primary seizures are hereditary although the cause is unknown. For this reason, they are also referred to as idiopathic seizures. Secondary seizures occur when there is trauma to the brain, stroke, and brain tumor. Reactive seizures occur once the brain detects a problem with metabolism due to toxins, low blood sugar, and organ failure.
The intensity and frequency of seizures are categorized into two: Focal and Grand Mal Seizures. Focal seizures occur while the dog is conscious although disorientated. It only affects one part of the brain. Whereas, Grand Mal seizures affect two parts of the brain leading to loss of consciousness, stiffening of the muscles, urination and defection as well as a foaming mouth. When your dog is experiencing a seizure, ensure you put nothing inside its mouth since it will pose as a risk to you and your pet.
Great Pyrenees Names Male
- Cooper.
- Chester.
- Bailor.
- Loki.
- Romeo.
- Duke.
- Alfie.
- Jake.
- Mickey.
- Zeus.
- Chance.
- Rascal, etc.
Great Pyrenees Heat Cycle | Mating
Majority of Great Pyrenees go on a heat cycle from the age of 6 to 12 months. The heat cycle recurs every 6 to 15 months. A Great Pyrenees will be in the heat season for a period of about 2 to 3 weeks. Female dogs experience estrus throughout their lives unlike humans who have a menopause. Therefore, it is possible for a Pry dam to get pregnant at the age of 10 years.
Some of the signs that a Great Pyrenees exhibits while on a heat cycle includes swollen vulva, increased urination, tail flagging, bloody discharge, changes in eating behaviors, mood swings, and nesting behavior. Before breeding a potential Dam and Sire, ensure they are both screened for hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, eye disorders, cancer as well as neurological and immune-mediated disorders.
Pet parents and breeders are advised to wait until a female Great Pyrenees is 2 years old before breeding her. This will allow the dog to physically and emotionally develop to take care of a litter. IF a dog is bred before the age of 2 years, she will likely reject the puppies. Also, she will not be in a better position to raise all puppies in the litter. Some may die.
Great Pyrenees Pregnancy Length
After conception, a Great Pyrenees may have a gestation period of about 63 days ( approx. 2 months).
Great Pyrenees Litter Size
A Great Pyrenees Dam may whelp a litter size of about 6 to 12 puppies.
Great Pyrenees Speed
A Great Pyrenees may have run up to an average speed of 25 miles per hour ( approx. 40 km/h ).
Great Pyrenees Harness | Collar
A Great Pyrenees has a tendency of pulling on leash. It is likely for a large-sized dog like a Pry dog to pull its owner while walking on a leash that is attached to a collar. Pulling on a collar, exerts a lot of pressure to the neck and trachea which may cause injury. A Pet parent who walks his or her dog in a harness has a better control over the pooch. Although, owners may opt to use both a collar and a harness, particularly a flat-buckle collar to attach the rabies and ID tag while the harness will attach the leash.
Great Pyrenees Feeding Guide
The amount of food that a Great Pyrenees feeds on depends on its age, size, activity level, metabolism, and body build. Puppies have a high metabolism rate as compared to adult and senior dogs. Therefore, a Great Pyrenees puppy will eat 3 or 4 times a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, a pup will feed twice a day for the rest of its life. A Great Pyrenees is a large-sized dog that has a rapid growth rate. Pet owners should ensure that the puppies are fed with the right amount of food to avoid damage to the growth plates in the joints. Consult with the Vet on the proper amount of food that your pet should feed on depending on its weight.
Great Pyrenees Dog Food | Food
A Great Pyrenees is a large-sized dog that has a deep chest. Therefore, it is susceptible to bloat or gastric torsion. Hence, it should not feed one large meal a day, drink large amounts of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after or before a meal. This is a life-threatening condition that can claim the life of your Pry dog. It is recommended to familiarize with signs of bloat and what to do in such circumstances.
Pry Dogs may feed on dry food, wet food, home made, or a raw diet depending on the budget and time of the pet parent. Regardless of the food type, owners should ensure that the dog feeds on a balanced diet to maintain a good health and to allow the dog to develop cognitively and physically. If the Great Pyrenees parent decides to feed a pet on the commercial dry or wet food, he or she should ensure the first three ingredients are proteins from a known source.
The commercial dog food should not contain preservatives, chemicals, additives, and fillers. The same goes to the snacks. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for large-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your pet. The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your Great Pyrenees is to take it to the vet to be informed about its weight and health. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of your dog. If you can see a Pry’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed. If the parent cannot feel the ribs of the pet under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed.
When you get a Great Pyrenees from a responsible breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing 3/4 old food with a 1/4 new food for the first week. During the second week, feed your dog with the same amount of the new food and old food. On the third week feed your Pry dog with 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 of old food. On the fourth week, totally switch to new food.
Great Pyrenees Neck Size | Collar Size
The neck size and the collar size of a Great Pyrenees is the same. This is because the collar rests around the neck. The neck size | collar size of a Great Pyrenees is 24 to 30 inches ( approx. 61 to 76 cm ).
Great Pyrenees Colors
A Great Pyrenees has a coat color that is predominantly white with patches of tan, grey, and badger on the head, ears, a few spots on the body, and tail. Some dogs may have black patches. However, this is considered a fault by show dog fanciers.
Great Pyrenees Allergies
Although, a Great Pyrenees is a relatively healthy breed, it is susceptible to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin Allergies – A Pry dog is vulnerable to skin allergies due to food, environmental, and contact allergies. Commonly affected body parts include ears, eyes, belly sides, feet, paws, muzzle, groin, etc.
Food Allergies – A Great Pyrenees is susceptible to food allergy and food sensitivity. Although, the former is rare. A true food allergy causes an immune response that is accompanied with a wide range of symptoms ranging from skin symptoms to gastrointestinal symptoms. Whereas, food sensitivity does not cause an immune response.
Contact allergies – This inflammation occurs once the skin of a Great Pyrenees comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the allergens that affect this breed include plastics, grooming products such as shampoo and conditioner, carpet cleaning detergents, lawn chemicals, bed linens, certain fabrics, latex, and medication. Commonly affected body parts include Pry’s paws, around the muzzle, and feet. Contact allergies make a Great Pyrenees to have intense scratching and biting which causes secondary skin infections if left unattended.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergies that cause inflammation includes flea. The saliva of this insect results in flea allergy dermatitis that usually affects the back legs and underneath the tail. This will make a Pry dog to scratch, bite, and lick until the skin around the bite area is raw. If left unattended, it may cause yeast and bacterial infections. Other environmental allergens that affect Great Pyrenees include pollen, trees, grass, ragweed, mites, dust and dust mites, and house molds. Symptoms of environmental allergies include nasal discharge, congestion, and itchiness on various body parts including paws, feet, eyes, muzzle, underarms, groin, belly sides, and between the toes.
Great Pyrenees Skin Allergies
A Great Pyrenees is susceptible to skin allergies due to some skin conditions as well as food, contact, and environmental allergies. A True food allergy is accompanied by skin issues symptoms including hives, hot spots, crusting lesions, facial swelling, dermatitis, and pruritus.
Environmental allergies cause atopic dermatitis. This is a condition that cause inflammation of the skin which causes itchiness, rash, lesions, and redness. Some of the skin conditions that make a Great Pyrenees prone to skin allergies include Sebaceous Adenitis. This condition causes skin gland inflammation with symptoms such as excess dandruff, odor, scratching, and hair loss. Although, it may also cause lesions in severely affected dogs.
Commonly affected body parts by skin allergies include paws, feet, belly sides, ears, muzzle, groin, and underarms. Signs that a Great Pyrenees manifests while suffering from skin allergies include, itchiness on the affected body parts, dry flaky skin, redness, crusting lesions, hot spots, chewing, licking, and biting of the affected body parts.
Great Pyrenees Food Allergies
As earlier discussed a Great Pyrenees is affected by both food allergies and food sensitivity ( intolerance). Pet parents may confuse food sensitivity for food allergies and vice versa since the two since cause vomiting and diarrhea. However, a true food allergy causes an immune response that is normally accompanied with a wide range of symptoms including skin issues and gastrointestinal stress. Skin conditions symptoms include dermatitis, pruritus, sores, hives, crusting lesions, and facial swelling. Gastrointestinal stress include acute vomiting and diarrhea, and weight loss.
On the other hand, food sensitivity occur as a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet and snacks of the Pry dog. Some of the food ingredients that cause food intolerance include fillers, corn, soy, wheat, eggs, milk, beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, pork, etc. Apart from vomiting and diarrhea, other food sensitivity symptoms include poor skin and coat, foot infections, itchiness, and ear infections.
Pet parents are urged to work closely with the vet to manage the symptoms exhibited by a Great Pyrenees and also find the offending ingredient through the elimination method. This is where a pet feeds on the same type of protein and carbohydrate for 8 to 12 weeks.
Great Pyrenees Skin Allergies Treatment
Skin allergies can result from environmental, food, and contact allergies. Therefore, the treatment of skin allergies will occur after identifying the source of the allergen. Skin allergies and environmental allergies can be treated by keeping the house clean free of house molds and mites as well as wiping the coat, muzzle, and feet of a Pry Dog every time it returns to the house after an outdoor activity. Flea allergy can be treated through the use of modern flea medication every month.
Use of a Hypoallergenic, organic, and sulfate-free shampoo will help relieve symptoms of skin allergies due to contact allergies. If a Pry dog is getting inflammation around the muzzle for eating from plastic bowls, switch to steel bowls. As for the food allergies that affect the skin, work closely with the vet or a certified nutritionist in managing the symptoms manifested while also using the elimination method to find the offending ingredient in the diet of the pet.
Great Pyrenees Eyes
A Great Pyrenees has dark brown, medium-sized, and almond-shaped eyes.
Great Pyrenees Ears
A Pry Dog has small-triangular shaped ears that have a rounded tips. The ears hang flat to the head.
Great Pyrenees Tail
A Great Pyrenees has a long furred tail that hangs low when the dog is in repose but curls over the back when the dog is excited.
Great Pyrenees Teeth
At birth, a Great Pyrenees is born with no teeth. However, the milk teeth will start growing in from the age of 2 to 3 weeks until the age of 6 to 8 weeks when the dog has a total of 28 deciduous teeth. The teeth will start falling out as permanent teeth erupt underneath from the age of 12 weeks. At the age of 6 to 8 months, a Great Pyrenees should have a total of 42 milk teeth. when the permanent teeth start to erupt, owners should establish a routine of brushing the teeth at least twice a week if not daily using a dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush.
Great Pyrenees Nose
A Pry dog has a black nose.
Are Great Pyrenees Hypoallergenic
No. Great Pyrenees shed all-year round at moderate levels and heavily once or twice a year. Shedding spreads hair and dander around the house which triggers inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. Apart from Pry’s dander and hair, urine, saliva, and mucus also trigger allergic reactions.
Are Great Pyrenees Aggressive
No. Great Pyrenees are docile, calm, protective, and confident. Although, they are wary of strangers, they are non-aggressive dogs.
Are Great Pyrenees Protective Of Their Owners
Yes. They are nocturnal dogs that are extremely alert at any sound and barks rapidly especially at night. The loud bark is a deterrence to intruders and burglars.
Are Great Pyrenees Easy To Train
No. A Great Pyrenees is a guard dog that was bred to work on its own at night while the shepherds were resting. Therefore, it is an independent dog that may be difficult in obedience training. Use of positive reinforcements methods, patience, and consistency are key while training this breed.
Are Great Pyrenees Easy To Potty Train
Yes. A Great Pyrenees is intelligent and will excel in potty training if the owner is consistent, patient, and firm. They are also large-sized dogs that have a larger bladder as compared to small-sized dogs. Therefore, they will be able to hold for sometime before eliminating.
Great Pyrenees Quick Facts
- A Great Pyrenees has a white coat color that may have patches of grey, tan, badger, or black. Although, black is not permitted with dogs that participate in Conformation shows.
- They are highly independent dogs that may be difficult to teach basic obedience skills.
- Great Pyrenees are nocturnal dogs that tend to bark a lot at night.
