Pyrenean Mountain Dog
A majestic white mountain guardian from the Pyrenees: calm and gentle at home, watchful and independent outdoors.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 70–80 cm · Females 65–75 cm
- Weight
- Males 50–60 kg · Females 40–50 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 45–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium, long
- Colours
- White, Grey, Lemon
- Bred for
- Guarding livestock, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 137 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – 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 | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 5/5 – Very high |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 5/5 – Very high |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| 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 …
- have room and a securely fenced garden
- want a calm, devoted giant companion
- live in a cool or temperate climate
Think twice if you …
- want a dog with reliable off-lead recall
- have close neighbours sensitive to night barking
- dislike heavy shedding
Care
Temperament
Pyreneans are gentle, calm and devoted with their family. They are protective of territory and wary of strangers. They are independent and often slow to respond to commands.
Exercise
Steady daily walks of around an hour suit most adults, plus space to wander in a secure garden. They prefer cool weather and steady hikes to fast sport.
Grooming
Brush the dense coat a few times a week and daily during the heavy seasonal shed. The coat sheds dirt well but leaves plenty of white hair.
Training
Intelligent but independent and not eager to please on cue. Start early with calm, patient, reward-based training and a lot of socialisation.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, bloat and bone cancer are among the concerns in this giant breed. Breeding dogs are usually hip and elbow screened, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Kneecaps (patella)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog guarded flocks in the Pyrenees for centuries, protecting sheep from wolves and bears in high pastures. It also became fashionable at the French court in the 17th century and was later used to guard castles and estates.
It is a large, powerful dog with a thick white coat and double dewclaws on the hind legs. At home it is often quiet, patient and affectionate, but it remains a guardian at heart: it patrols, barks at night and makes its own decisions. It needs space, secure fencing and an owner who understands independent breeds.
Did you know?
Louis XIV is said to have declared the Great Pyrenees the royal dog of France in 1675.