Great Pyrenees: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

The AKC Standard describes the Great Pyrenees as "strong willed, independent, and somewhat reserved, yet attentive, fearless, and loyal to his charges – both human and animal."

A majestic-looking dog with a kindly, regal expression, the Great Pyrenees is calm, composed, and serious.

As an adult, he is quiet indoors and content with long daily walks and regular opportunities to stretch out. He does love to romp in the snow, and pulling a cart or carrying a backpack gives him a purpose in life.

Aloof with strangers, he should be accustomed to many different people in his early months.

The Great Pyrenees is patient with his own family's children, but some are overprotective when neighbors join in for rough-and-tumble play. Likewise, he may be protective of his own family's pets while aggressively driving off others.

These characteristics stem from his background as a livestock guardian, where he was expected to keep watch over the flock, making his own decisions about friends and foes and appropriate actions. Unless you establish yourself as the alpha (number one), the Great Pyrenees will trust his own judgment and do whatever he pleases. This breed is not an eager-to-please Golden Retriever.

Great Pyrenees have a deep, impressive bark, which they tend to use freely, especially at night when they are most vigilant.

Fences must be secure, for Pyrs have a tendency to roam. Some produce "slime" (excessive saliva).

If you want a dog who...

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Great Pyrenees have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy.

More traits and characteristics of the Great Pyrenees

If I was considering a Great Pyrenees, I would be most concerned about...

1. Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Great Pyrenees need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Great Pyrenees need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds.

   Great Pyrenees are most satisfied when guarding livestock. You can substitute pulling a cart or sled, or backpacking, but without something constructive to do, Great Pyrenees are likely to become bored and destructive.

2. The strong temperament. As flock guardians, Great Pyrenees are bred to have a a somewhat suspicious and independent mind of their own so they can protect their vulnerable charges from whatever danger appear. They prefer to make their own decisions, which may not line up with yours when you're trying to raise them as an indoor companion. In other words, Great Pyrenees are typically willful dogs. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Read more about Great Pyrenees Training.
3. Potential animal aggression. Most Great Pyrenees will treat the pets in their own family as members of their flock. But they have strong instincts to drive away animals who do not belong to their family. Many Great Pyrenees are dominant or aggressive toward dogs they don't know. Some Great Pyrenees are not safe with cats. I know personally of two separate tragic incidents where a Great Pyrenees reached through the fence and killed a small dog who was simply walking past the Pyr's yard.

4. Heavy shedding. Great Pyrenees shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing and furnishings.
5. Noise. Unless you live on a farm away from close neighbors, Great Pyrenees should never be left outside unsupervised. Their booming barks will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance.

   After reading this review, you probably have come to the conclusion that the Great Pyrenees is not suited to most households. You are absolutely right. Only certain living situations can provide the activities that keep this breed content.