Dog Breed of the Month: The Great Pyrenees DogEach month, Buster shines the spotlight on a different popular dog breed. This month's feature is the Great Pyrenees Dog. 
OriginsThe Great Pyrenees Dog, a very large, light-colored dog, is a member of the herding group and is used in Europe primarily as a livestock guardian. The Great Pyrenees is a very old breed, one of a group known as mossoloids, from which many of the larger breeds, particularly the mastiff breeds, originate. This particular breed originated in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France (hence the name), and were used by the Basque farmers in the region for several centuries. More recently, they were used to haul artillery over the mountains during World War II. The breed is the official dog of France and closely resembles another herding the dog, the Hungarian Kuvasz, also a mossoloid descendent.
The Great Pyrenees is not a good breed for you studio-apartment dwellers as they get to be VERY large. Males can grow to 120 lbs. and up to 32 inches tall at the shoulder; females can go up to 90 lbs. and 29 inches. Although they're not a particularly 'hyper' breed, this is a working dog who needs to be given a job. If you don't give your Great Pyrenees something constructive to do, he'll find something to do, and it will likely involve misbehavior. It isn't likely that the average Great Pyrenees 'parent' will own sheep or goats, but this dog is a good candidate for such sports as carting. This dog can live to the age of 10 to 12 years, is very intelligent, easy to train, and makes a good family pet.
At first glance, the Great Pyrenees may appear to be an all-white dog. But take a closer look--that seemingly snowy coat actually contains some light beige or gray coloring, especially around the eyes. The eyes themselves should be rimmed with black, and the nose should be black as well. In fact, all-white Great Pyrenees Dogs do exist, but they aren't desirable to breeders because, more often than not, this coloration will lack the black rims around the eyes that is an ideal trait of this breed. This breed has a double coat that gets thicker as the dog matures from puppyhood. Of course, this means owners must spend a fair amount of time in grooming.
If you think that this gentle giant would make a good addition to your family, you have a couple of options. If you're planning on going to a breeder, please do your homework first. A reputable breeder will want you to see the pups parents and the kind of environment in which the dogs live. You should experience a clean, safe, friendly atmosphere and observe healthy, robust, happy dogs that enjoy human interaction. if you find a breeder that is willing to sell you a dog over the phone, run in the opposite direction. This is a person that is more interested in making money than ensuring that his dogs go to happy, healthy homes. If you'd rather not go to a breeder, check the various rescue groups and shelters. Petfinder is a great place to start. Since about 25% of all rescue dogs are purebreds, you can still find the dog of your dreams and you're likely saving a life in the process.
Although the Great Pyrenees Dog is not in films as often as other breeds, there have been a few in notable roles. One of the earliest films featuring a Great Pyrenees is the Marx Brothers film 'Duck Soup', in a scene showing a dog catcher and his wagon. The Great Pyrenees is in the wagon. This breed has also appeared in 'Dumb and Dumber', 'Finding Neverland', and, more recently, in the children's Christmas movie, 'Santa Buddies'. The leading character is a Great Pyrenees puppy names Puppy Paws.
Past featured breeds include the Schnauzer, the German Shepherd Dog, and the Beagle. If there's a particular breed you'd like us to feature, click on the 'Contact Us' button at left and let us know which breed you'd like to see. Also, we welcome feedback on all of our pages. Don't be afraid to sit and speak!!
|
