Where the Great Pyrenees came from
The Great Pyrenees comes from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. Shepherds there kept large white dogs to live with their flocks and guard them from wolves and bears.
The dogs worked with little human direction. They were chosen for calm, steady and independent guarding. In the 1600s the breed also became fashionable at the French court, and Louis XIV named it the Royal Dog of France.
The AKC recognized the breed in 1933. Today they still guard livestock, and many live as family dogs.
- Centuries ago Mountain shepherds keep large white guardian dogs in the Pyrenees
- 1600s The breed becomes fashionable at the court of Louis XIV of France
- 1933 AKC recognizes the Great Pyrenees
The job a Great Pyrenees was bred for
Pyrs stayed with the flock day and night and made decisions alone. That is why many bark at night, patrol the yard and think for themselves rather than wait for orders.
Sports that fit a Great Pyrenees
- Scent work. A low pressure, nose based job
- Carting. Strong and steady
- Trick dog. Builds a bond without pressure
- Therapy work. Calm and gentle temperaments
Training tips for a Great Pyrenees
- Reward checking in with you, since independence is natural.
- Use short sessions with food and patience.
- Teach a quiet cue for night barking and reward it.
- Secure fencing is a must, as they roam to patrol.
Body and health
Large and heavy with a thick coat, so avoid hot weather exertion and hard jumping. Joints need care.
Fun fact. Pyrs often have double dewclaws on the back legs.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Great Pyrenees is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.