Pyrenean Mountain Dog at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 66–81 cm
- Weight
- 40–50 kg
- Life expectancy
- up to 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Energy, Time alone.
Is the Pyrenean Mountain Dog right for you?
Like every breed, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You can give around an hour of exercise a day.
Consider another breed if…
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have children at home.
- This would be your first dog.
- You cannot commit to brushing several times a week.
How would the Pyrenean Mountain Dog fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Pyrenean Mountain Dog
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is an immensely strong, heavy-bodied dog with a thick coat, yet it should look elegant and balanced and move smoothly. It is one of the tallest of the pastoral breeds and possibly the best-known livestock guardian. With its own family it is typically calm, gentle and affectionate.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Moderate
Typically around an hour of exercise a day.
- Energy level
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Grooming
Moderate
The coat usually needs brushing several times a week.
- Shedding
High
Tends to shed a lot, so expect hair around the home.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Adult home
Often better suited to an adult home.
- Good with other dogs
Can be selective
Can be selective about other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
Pyreneans have guarded flocks in the Pyrenees since at least the Middle Ages. Puppies were traditionally placed with the sheep while very young so that they bonded with the flock and protected it, sometimes wearing a spiked iron collar to guard their throats against wolves.
The breed also found favour in royal courts and the palaces of the nobility, and Louis XIV named it the Royal Dog of France. It was used to guard French chateaux, as a messenger and pack dog by the French Army in the Second World War, and, it has been suggested, by smugglers carrying packs of forbidden goods over mountain paths that people could not use.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog temperament
Pyreneans are often described as gentle giants, calm and good-natured, and they can make loving companions to their families. They are, however, true guardians that were bred to make decisions for themselves, so they are independent, headstrong and can be stubborn.
Strangers tend to be mistrusted, and a Pyrenean may react to people or dogs it sees as a threat. Some are inclined to be aggressive towards unfamiliar dogs, particularly those of a similar size. Careful socialisation, training and management are essential. They are also vocal dogs that bark to alert you to visitors or anything unusual.
Size and appearance
This is a very large dog. Adults typically weigh around 40–50 kg and stand about 66–81 cm at the shoulder.
The thick double coat is mainly white. Breed standard colours include white, white with badger, grey, lemon, beige or blaireau markings, and blaireau.
How much exercise does a Pyrenean Mountain Dog need?
For their size, adult Pyreneans do not need huge amounts of exercise: around an hour a day is usually enough, with regular controlled walks and, in time, some off-lead running in a secure area.
Puppies must not be over-exercised while their bones and joints are developing. Build up exercise gradually, and take care to do the same even with adult dogs.
Training a Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Pyreneans can and should be trained, but they are not interested in training for its own sake and are hard to motivate, so training is always a work in progress. Patience and reward-based methods are needed.
- Socialise puppies thoroughly and get them used to the life they will lead with you.
- Start handling, harness and lead walking, and recall early, before your puppy grows into a giant.
- Keep training going throughout their life.
- Use secure fencing and careful management, because their guarding instinct cannot be trained away.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog grooming
The thick double coat needs a thorough groom more than once a week, and more often during moulting, to remove loose hair and stop mats forming. Pyreneans shed heavily. Get your puppy used to grooming, and to a groomer if you plan to use one, from an early age, as adult dogs that are not relaxed about it can be very hard to handle.
Living with a Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Pyreneans can be affectionate and friendly with their own family, but because of their size and guarding instincts Purina does not advise them for homes with children, as children tend to bring visiting friends. They are better suited to adult-only homes. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Often better suited to an adult home.
Other dogs
Can be selective about other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A secure garden is strongly advised.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Purina describes the Pyrenean as generally a hardy breed, but several conditions are recognised. Ask about the health of the puppy's parents and grandparents and check which screening tests have been done. The Royal Kennel Club also stresses the importance of genetic diversity when choosing which dogs to breed from.
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint develops loosely, which eventually leads to arthritis. Hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme is part of the Royal Kennel Club's best-practice testing.
Elbow dysplasia
The Royal Kennel Club lists elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme as best practice for breeding dogs.
Eye conditions
Entropion, where the eyelids turn inwards, and multifocal retinopathy, a disease at the back of the eye that may lead to vision loss, are both recorded in the breed. Eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme is recommended for breeding dogs.
Panosteitis
A painful, inflammatory bone disease.
Deafness
Deafness is listed among the conditions the breed can be prone to.
Epilepsy
A brain disorder that can cause seizures.
Patellar luxation
The kneecaps can slip temporarily out of place.
Osteosarcoma
A malignant bone cancer.
Laryngeal paralysis
Nerve damage affecting the vocal cords that can lead to breathing problems.
Bloat
Pyreneans are prone to bloating and stomach problems.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Pyrenean Mountain Dog home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Pyrenean Mountain Dog cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Pyrenean Mountain Dog home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically up to 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Pyrenean Mountain Dog
If you have decided the Pyrenean Mountain Dog suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Pyrenean Mountain Dogs do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Pyrenean Mountain Dogs looking for homes
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Pyrenean Mountain Dog FAQs
Is the Pyrenean Mountain Dog good with children?
Often better suited to an adult home. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Pyrenean Mountain Dog live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Pyrenean Mountain Dog need?
Moderate: typically around an hour a day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Pyrenean Mountain Dog shed?
Tends to shed a lot.
How much grooming does the Pyrenean Mountain Dog need?
Typically: several times a week.
Is the Pyrenean Mountain Dog easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Does the Pyrenean Mountain Dog bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Pyrenean Mountain Dog good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Pyrenean Mountain Dog live?
Typically up to 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Pyrenean Mountain Dog get?
Adults typically stand 66–81 cm at the shoulder and weigh 40–50 kg.