The Great Pyrenees originated in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain where it worked as a livestock guardian dog. The breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1885 and a breeding program was started in the US in 1931 to save the breed. Great Pyrenees make good family pets but require early training due to their large size. They are protective of their family and flock. Regular brushing is needed to manage their thick coat.

1. The Great
Pyreneese

2. • The Breed has its past in the southwest
of France and the northeast of Spain in
the circle of mountains and surrounding
valley inhabited by the Bosque people.
The true salvation of the breed came about in 1930,
when Francis and Mary Crane from Needham,
Massachusetts, fell in love with two adorable,
snow white puppies from France and began a
breeding program in 1931.

3. • In 1885 the Kennel Club in London
recognized the Great Pyrenees it its
registry and soon after the breed was
shown in the Crystal Palace in London.
It was mainly used as a herd dog
and its large size and strength
encourage it to defy wolves, bears,
and other animals with unparalleled ferocity.

4. • Hip dysplasia: Is a crippling disease
that can become so painful that
euthanasia is necessary. If you are
purchasing a Great Pyrenees puppy
make sure both parents have no
history of the disease.
Arthritis: This is a problem generally
found in older Prys. It slow older dogs
and causes joints to stiffen.
Paneosteitis: Is a self-limiting
disease that causes pain in the
legs of puppies and seems to go
away on its own.

5. • Pet quality mean the breeder does
not believe the puppy is good enough
to earn an AKC championship. This does
not mean the puppy is not beautiful, smart,
or incapable to perform in other competitions
or as a guard dog.
• Great Pyrenees can be pure white or white
with tan, wolf-grey, red-brown, or pale yellow
on their ears. The markings that remain give the
french name "blaireau" to those Great Pyrenees
puppies which means "with color".

6. • Great Pyrenees make great family pets.
They have a very sweet temperament
around people and other family pets such
as cats or rabbits. Because they were
originally bred as guard dogs for both
humans and flocks they are very protective
anyone or thing that they have made their ‘flock’.

7. • It takes most experienced owners about thirty
minutes to brush out their Pyr’s coat for others
it can take up to two hours. During their main
shedding season spring they will need to be
brushed every day.
Depending on the job they play in the
family they can be bathed as little as
twice a year or as often as once a week.

8. • Pyrenees grow very quickly and
become large and sometimes
uncontrollable at an early age.
Because of this training them
early on is a very good idea.
The Great Pyrenees can be slow
to learn new commands, slow to obey,
and somewhat stubborn to train.
For this reason they require a lot of
attention and practice time with their owners.