Great Pyrenees
Puppy
Fully Grown
This breed started off being the right hand man of a shepherd but subsequently moved up in rank to fulfill nobler obligations as a watchdog for the rich and famous.
Great Pyrenees are courageous, self-motivated and make excellent watchdogs. But their loving, soft and easy-going character also makes them good companion dogs for families. They are happy to live both inside and outside.
They are not easy to train and are therefore not recommended for first time dog owners. They are self-motivated and it can sometimes be difficult to convince them that what you would like them to do is the right thing to do!
Great Pyrenees don’t bark much but when they do your walls may shake! As they are watchdogs by heart, strangers are never welcome. They love their family and will need to be treated as such. In return, they will protect their pack with full devotion. Exclusion and not being allowed close to their family will make them very unhappy. They are big teddy bears who love the great outdoors.
They tend to lose lots of hair as their coat is long and sheds. If you are a clean freak then this long, thick coast may just drive you insane, and it tends to collect sticks and dirt along the way. They can come in four different colour variants; brown, red, grey or white.
| Weight: | 50-54 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 10-12 years |
| Coat: | Long |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | very high |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Great Pyrenees from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Great Pyrenees to adopt:
To help your rescued Great Pyrenees to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Great Pyrenees from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
