Pyrenean Mastiff
A gentle white giant from the Spanish Pyrenees: calm with family, patient with children and quietly protective.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 77–85 cm · Females 72–80 cm
- Weight
- Males 70–100 kg · Females 55–80 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- White, Piebald
- Bred for
- Guarding livestock, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Spain
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 92 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 2/5 – Low |
| Playfulness | 2/5 – Low |
| Needs mental stimulation | 2/5 – Low |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 4/5 – High |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calm family guardian
- have room and a cool climate
- are experienced with large dogs
Think twice if you …
- live in a small home
- dislike drool and dog hair
- live in a hot climate
Care
Temperament
Calm, kind and self-assured. It is loving with family and gentle with children it knows. It is protective without being aggressive.
Exercise
Moderate daily walks and free time in a large garden. Avoid intensive exercise during growth.
Grooming
Brush the dense coat a few times a week, more during shedding. Some drool is normal.
Training
Gentle, consistent training and early socialisation are key. It learns well but at its own pace.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and eyelid problems are the main concerns, as in most giant breeds. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Pyrenean Mastiff guarded flocks on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, mainly in Aragon and Navarre, moving with the shepherds between summer and winter pastures. Its numbers fell sharply in the 20th century, and a breed club was formed in 1977 to restore it.
It is a calm and affectionate giant, usually gentle with children and tolerant of other pets. It still has a strong protective streak and will stand its ground with strangers. It needs space, careful growth as a puppy, regular brushing and an owner prepared for drool and a very large dog.
Did you know?
The breed is one of two large guardian breeds of the Pyrenees, the other being the French Pyrenean Mountain Dog.