Great Pyrenees

Personality

The Great Pyrenees is a gentle giant with a serious job description. Bred to guard sheep alone in the mountains, it is calm, patient and watchful at home, and it makes decisions independently. Loyal and affectionate with its family, it can be aloof with strangers.

These dogs are natural guardians, so night barking is common. A Pyr may patrol the fence, bark at sounds and deter visitors with its sheer size. Many are gentle with children and tolerant of small animals within their flock, but they take protection seriously and may misinterpret rough play as a threat.

Independence is the other defining trait. A Great Pyrenees is not a dog that will drop everything to please you, and it may wander if it senses something to guard. Owners who understand and respect the guardian mindset usually find a devoted, dignified companion.

History

The Great Pyrenees was developed in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, where large white dogs guarded flocks for Basque shepherds. The AKC describes a large, thickly coated and immensely powerful dog bred to deter sheep-stealing wolves and other predators on snowy mountaintops, and PetMD notes that the white coat provided camouflage in the snow.

According to legend, Louis XIV named the breed the Royal Dog of France in the seventeenth century, though the AKC points out that the king is not widely recorded as owning one. The Marquis de Lafayette is said to have brought the first Great Pyrenees to the United States in 1824, when he sent two males to a friend.

Importation began in earnest in the early 1930s, when Mary Crane brought dogs from Europe, and the AKC recognized the breed in the early 1930s as a member of the Working Group. Today it is still used as a livestock guardian on farms and ranches, and it also works as a calm family companion. Its calm nature and dramatic white coat have made it a popular choice for people with the space to keep one.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Great Pyrenees is a large, powerful dog with a thick white coat and an air of quiet confidence. The head is wedge-shaped with a rounded crown, small dark almond-shaped eyes, and V-shaped drop ears. The tail is plumed and often carried low, curving up when the dog is alert.

According to the AKC standard, dogs stand 27 to 32 in (69–81 cm) at the withers and bitches 25 to 29 in (64–74 cm), so the minimums are 27 in and 25 in. The standard notes that a 27 in dog weighs about 100 lb (45 kg) and a 25 in bitch about 85 lb (39 kg), and VCA gives a range of 85 to 120 lb (39–54 kg).

The weather-resistant double coat consists of a long, flat outer layer and a dense, fine undercoat. The color is white or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown or varying shades of tan. A distinctive feature is the double dewclaws on the hind legs. The overall impression is of strength and calm.

Training

Training a Great Pyrenees requires patience, humor and realistic expectations. The breed is intelligent but independent, bred to make decisions alone, and it often responds to a command with a considering look rather than instant obedience. Repetitive drills bore it quickly.

Use positive, reward-based methods in short sessions, and begin early. A 20-lb (9 kg) puppy is manageable, but a 100-lb (45 kg) adolescent that pulls is not. Teach loose-leash walking, polite greetings, wait at doors and a reliable recall within a secure area. Never rely on voice commands alone near roads.

Socialize widely, because a wary guardian needs to learn which visitors are normal. Address barking early by teaching a quiet cue, though you cannot eliminate it. Harsh corrections tend to backfire and can damage trust. Crate comfort helps with vet visits and travel; see our crate training guide.

Exercise

Great Pyrenees are less athletic than many working breeds, but they still need regular activity. VCA describes their exercise needs as moderate, and a daily walk or two and time to patrol a secure yard usually keep an adult content, with a total of perhaps an hour. See our guide on how much exercise a dog needs for the principles.

They are bred for endurance more than speed, and they enjoy cool-weather hiking. Avoid exercising in the heat, because the thick coat and large body make hot days uncomfortable.

Safety matters more than intensity. A Pyr may roam to patrol its territory, and some can climb or dig under fences, so a tall, secure enclosure is a must. Avoid off-leash walks in open areas. Protect growing joints in puppies by avoiding forced running and repetitive jumping. Mental stimulation, such as scent games or a job like guarding, helps with boredom.

Grooming

The Great Pyrenees has a lot of coat and sheds heavily, particularly during a major seasonal blowout when fur comes off in clouds. Plan to brush two or three times a week with a pin brush and undercoat rake, and daily during shedding. Brush down to the skin, especially behind the ears, in the britches and on the chest, where mats form.

Baths are needed only occasionally, but the coat should be dried thoroughly. The outer coat is somewhat self-cleaning, though mud, burrs and debris can collect. Never shave the double coat; it provides insulation in both cold and heat.

Trim nails regularly and check the double dewclaws, which can snag or grow into the leg. Clean the ears and check for hot spots in warm, humid weather. Dental care matters, and our tooth-brushing guide explains the steps. Expect white fur on everything you own.

Feeding

Choose a complete and balanced diet for a large or giant breed, and adjust amounts to keep a healthy weight. The dog food calculator provides a starting estimate.

Puppies should eat a formula designed for large-breed growth, in measured meals, so they grow steadily rather than fast. Excess weight stresses joints, so keep the ribs easy to feel; our guide on checking if your dog is overweight helps with this. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories.

PetMD lists gastric dilatation and volvulus, a severe form of bloat, among the breed's conditions. VCA lists feeding one large meal a day, eating rapidly and exercising after a large meal as risk factors, so feed two or more smaller meals, avoid heavy exercise before and after meals and discourage gulping. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog has a swollen belly, retching without bringing anything up or sudden restlessness. Provide plenty of fresh water, especially in warm weather.

Health

The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed with a shorter life span, typically 10 to 12 years according to VCA and PetMD. Bone and joint problems are the main concern, including hip and elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation, as well as spinal problems. Bloat, or gastric dilatation and volvulus, is a serious emergency in large, deep-chested dogs.

Other issues include entropion (inward-rolling eyelids), cataracts and von Willebrand's disease, an inherited bleeding disorder. VCA advises screening breeding parents for hip dysplasia, inherited eye disease and von Willebrand's disease, and the Great Pyrenees Club of America recommends patella and hip evaluations.

Ask breeders for hip, elbow, patella and eye screening results, and look up results in the OFA database. Keep your dog lean, check the skin under the thick coat and maintain annual vet exams. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away for a swollen abdomen, collapse, difficulty breathing or sudden lameness.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip and elbow dysplasia — Malformed joints can cause arthritis and lameness.
• Bloat (GDV) — A serious emergency in large, deep-chested dogs in which the stomach swells and may twist.
• Patellar luxation — Kneecaps that slip out of position cause skipping or limping.
• Spinal problems — VCA lists spinal problems among the breed's bone and joint concerns.
• Entropion and cataracts — Eyelids that roll inward irritate the eye and may need surgery; cataracts can also occur.
• Von Willebrand's disease — An inherited bleeding disorder; breeding dogs should be screened.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Patella evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Von Willebrand's disease test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is not suited to apartments or small yards. It needs space, a tall and secure fence, and a household that can tolerate barking, especially at night. A rural or large suburban property with understanding neighbors is ideal.

These dogs patrol, and some roam. Never trust an unfenced property or an electronic fence, since a Pyr may cross it to investigate. Many working Pyrs live outdoors with livestock, but a pet dog still needs family time.

They handle cold well and may enjoy snow, but they are uncomfortable in heat. Provide shade, water and a cool spot indoors. With children, a Pyr is usually protective and patient but supervise play because of its size. It may bark at visitors and might be slow to accept them. Training, secure fencing and patient management produce a calm, loyal house guardian.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Great Pyrenees puppy prices vary widely, and a puppy is only the beginning of the cost of owning a giant dog. Ask a prospective breeder about health testing for hips, elbows, patellas and eyes, and whether the parents have the temperament you want, either as livestock guardians or as home companions.

A good breeder lets you meet the dam, shows you the living conditions, and can explain the breed's challenges. The Great Pyrenees Club of America is the AKC parent club and a sensible place to start. Be wary of sellers who do not allow visits or provide no health information.

Pyrs are sometimes surrendered, partly because owners underestimate the barking, shedding and roaming. Adopting an adult can be a good option, and many rescues describe each dog's behavior in detail. Budget for food, vet care and grooming. Use our puppy weight calculator to track growth.