A History of the Breed: The Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees were originally bread as guardian dogs for livestock and have been used by shepherds for hundreds of years, primarily guarding flocks of sheep and goats from wolves and other predators. Literary documentation of the breed dates back as far as the early 1400s.

The Great Pyrenees hail from The Pyrenees Mountains of Southern France and Northern Spain where their weather resistant double coat makes winter weather more than bearable. The coat of a male Pyrenees is much thicker around the neck and shoulders making them more resilient to wolf attacks. 

Great Pyrenees average 90 - 130 pounds depending on gender and are typically born with random dark patches of color, but become mostly white as they mature. 

In general, The Great Pyrenees is a gentle (especially with children) and loyal breed, but will protect flock and family when necessary. They are patient and attentive, but also independent and strong willed. Great Pyrenees often prefer to be outside (especially when its cooler), they will patrol their home perimeter and maintain a state of alert, confident guardianship barking to alert the family to any potential dangers. 

They're fuzzy, they're cute, they're lovable and you know that if  you have a Great Pyrenees then you have your own personal home security system!

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