Pyrenean Mountain Dog

History of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog breed

The genetic roots of the Pyrenean mountain dogs have been lost in the darkness of centuries, so it is not possible to establish their relationship with existing and extinct breeds. According to one version, the progenitors of snow-white dogs were Tibetan moloss-like dogs, which since ancient times were crossed with local producers in the French part of the Pyrenees. They were engaged in breeding experiments, mainly shepherds, who needed massive sensitive animals capable of driving away hungry predators from sheep, or even entering into a confrontation with them, therefore, the character of the Pyrenees' ancestors was Nordic, and their habits were ferocious.

Mentions of the breed in printed sources have been found since the XIV century. One of the first descriptions of the appearance of Pyrenean mountain dogs belongs to the abbot of the French monastery Miguel Agustin, who at the same time explained why medieval breeders preferred individuals with white fur. According to the monk, the snow-white color helped the shepherd not to confuse the dog with the wolf. In addition, it was easier to look for dogs with light hair if they, carried away by the pursuit of predators, fought off the herd and got lost in the valleys.

By the end of the XVII century, the great Pyrenees moved away from pastoral affairs and began to guard feudal castles, which was facilitated by the increased PR of the Madame de Maintenon breed. It was the favorite of Louis XIV who was the first to bring funny Pyrenean mountain dog puppies to Versailles, who charmed the entire palace nobility, including the young Dauphin. In the XIX century, the population of predators in the mountainous regions of France declined, and the chambers of the nobles no longer needed a four-legged guard, so the need for the services of working dogs disappeared. However, the Pyrenees were not surprised by such transformations, because by that time they had successfully mastered a new niche – dog shows.

Before the preliminary standardization of the breed in 1923, its representatives were divided into two types: western and eastern. Westerners were distinguished by an emphatically moloss-like appearance: they had large heads with drooping lips and rounded ears, as well as a sparse wavy coat of white or black color. Dogs from the eastern regions of the Pyrenees looked more intelligent than their relatives in the group. The muzzles of the animals were elongated-pointed type, as were the ears, and the soft thick fur had a solid snow-white color. In the early 1930s, Pyrenean mountain dogs began to be bred in the United States, and in 1933 the breed was registered by the American Kennel Club.

Curious fact: in modern representatives of the breed leonberger , along with genes St. bernards and newfoundlands , blood flows and Pyrenean mountain dogs.

Video: Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Breed standard Pyrenean Mountain Dog

The reference representative of the breed is obliged to combine two most important qualities – strength and elegance. On the one hand, an animal must have a strong constitution in order to awe any animal with a formidable appearance. And on the other – to be energetic and frisky, so that, if necessary, to catch up with the attacker and deal with him. According to the type of physique, experts classify Pyrenees as wolf-Molossians, without disputing the fact that wolf features in the exterior of the breed are predominant. The height of the average male Pyrenean mountain dog is 80 cm . Bitches are slightly lower and smaller – about 65-75 cm at the withers. The muscle mass of the "mountaineers" is also growing decent, so the weight bar of 55 kg for the breed is not considered something amazing and beyond.

Head

Pyrenean mountain dogs have a harmoniously developed head with a rounded cranial part, flattened on both sides, and a flat foot. The brow ridges do not stand out, the median furrow is not visually noticeable and is determined by touch. The animal's muzzle is massive, well-filled and has the shape of a truncated wedge, which is slightly shorter than the head.

Teeth, lips, jaws

A mandatory requirement for the breed is a complete and standard dental formula. The animal's teeth are without yellowness, healthy. The optimal type of bite is "scissors", although a straight bite and slightly protruding incisors of the lower row are considered acceptable options. The dog's lips are dense, not raw, black color. The upper lip is slightly protruding and partially covers the lower jaw.

Nose

Nose lobe of classic shape with black skin.

Eyes

Pyrenean mountain dogs have small almond-shaped eyes with a slightly oblique, "Japanese" pose. The iris has an amber-brown tone, the eyelids tightly cover the eyeball. The look of the breed is intelligent, soulfully thoughtful.

Ears

Miniature, triangular in shape, planted at eye level – this is about how the ears of a purebred descendant of Asian Molossians should look. The ear cloth is more often in a hanging position, but slightly "rises" when the dog is alert.

Neck

The great Pyrenees have short massive necks with minor suspensions.

Housing

The body has somewhat stretched dimensions and in length exceeds the height of the dog at the withers. The back of the Pyrenees is long and massive, the sides are moderately taut, the withers are relief. The croup area is slightly sloping, the thighs are voluminous with excellently developed muscles, the chest is harmoniously developed, but not stretched in length or width.

Limbs

The front legs of the representatives of the breed are smooth and strong, the hind legs are long, with abundant fringed hair. The shoulder blades of the animal are placed slightly obliquely, the forearms are straight, the pasterns with a barely noticeable slope. The femoral part of the legs is massive, the hocks are wide with small angles, the shins are strong. Pyrenean mountain dogs have compact paws with slightly curved toes. They move in a sweeping and measured manner, but without excessive gravity.

Tail

The true Pyrenean tail has the shape of a feather, and its tip is at the level of the hocks. In a calm state, the dog lowers the tail down, while it is desirable that there is a slight bend at the end of the tail. In an excited dog, the tail rises above the croup, curling into a wheel and touching the loin line.

Wool

The coat of the Pyrenean mountain dog is abundant, straight, with a soft structure and elastic thick undercoat. Relatively coarse hair grows on the shoulders and along the back; on the tail and neck, the hair is softer and longer. The oches consist of delicate airy wool.

Color

Individuals of solid white color look the most presentable, but the standard allows the breeding of Pyrenean mountain dogs of white-gray color (wolf or badger type), as well as with yellowish and light rusty spots at the root of the tail, on the head and in the ears.

Disqualifying vices

External defects can affect the exhibition career of animals. For example, Pyrenean mountain dogs with such exterior defects are not allowed to participate in exhibitions:

• light lobe and eyelids or painted in any color except black;
• deformed jaws;
• overshot or undershot;
• yellow color of the iris;
• lack of dewclaws or an incomplete set of them;
• height is more or less than the bar specified by the standard;
• unconventional color.

Character of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Today's representatives of the breed have not been shepherds of "lost sheep souls" for a long time, although they continue to be working dogs with an excellent protective instinct. The modern generation of Pyrenees are smart and sensitive companions and keepers who consider the human family as their own pack, which allows animals to quickly and without unnecessary stress accept the rules of the game dictated by the owner. And shaggy giants adore close physical contact, so if you are looking for a pet who is ready not just to tolerate your and children's hugs, but also to come from them in sincere delight, then the Pyrenean mountain dog is the animal that you need.

Despite the emphatically brutal appearance, the Pyrenees belong to breeds with a reduced level of aggression. This means that this "blond" is able to scare a fox or a ferret into your yard to death, but he will not adhere to the same tactics with respect to two-legged violators of order. At the same time, the breed does not favor outsiders, which is understandable. Since ancient times, suspicious individuals have been hovering near the sheep pens, ready to steal a well-fed lamb, so the task of the animal was to confront such lovers of free roast.

Pyrenean mountain dogs are extremely child-loving, so they will not stoop to conflict with some toddler, even if the latter clearly abuses the good nature of the dog. Moreover, if a young mischievous person is in danger from another animal or person, the shaggy "guardian" will immediately react to this. Another feature of the breed is the hypertrophied territorial instinct, thanks to which the pet considers its own territory not only the house in which it lives, but also locations where from time to time it is noted, for example, a public garden where the owner walks it. Therefore, if the Pyrenean mountain dog does not sleep and does not have lunch, it almost certainly patrols the possessions entrusted to it, looking out for encroachers on the owner's wealth.

The possessive habits and territorial claims of the Great Pyrenees in no way infringe on the rights and freedoms of other pets. The breed is not averse to sharing its habitat with cats, other dogs, and especially with artiodactyls, which are so in need of a mighty protector. Even if you are a big fan of hamsters and other miniature fuzzies, you can not worry about their life and health. The Pyrenean mountain dog will not think of catching and eating even a rodent that asks for it. But the shaggy giants are able to accidentally step on a tiny lump with a massive paw, so be extremely vigilant, allowing the hamster to walk around under the feet of a larger pet.

Education and training

The difficulty of raising a breed lies in the desire of its representatives for independence and independence. Historically, Pyrenean mountain dogs were not trained, relying on their protective and territorial instincts, which could not but affect the character of modern individuals. At the same time, one should not assume that the Pyrenees absorb knowledge tightly. On the contrary, they are intelligent and almost immediately understand what is expected of them. But these comrades are in no hurry to fulfill the requirements, preferring to slightly imitate the owner with their feigned misunderstanding of the situation.

Organizing the process of training the Pyrenean mountain dog, start with self–discipline and never approach the case with a bad mood - the pet will quickly catch the irritated notes in his voice and quietly "wash off into the sunset". If, due to circumstances, the Pyrenees turned out to be your first four-legged ward, we recommend reading special literature. For example, John Fisher's book "What your Dog Thinks about", as well as "Training for Beginners" by Vladimir Gritsenko will help to understand the psychology of an animal faster. And another thing: in the case of the French "highlanders", it will not be possible to completely shift the learning process onto the shoulders of a professional instructor. Either go to classes with your pet, or get ready for the fact that only the requirements of the dog handler will be fulfilled, but not yours.

From the first days of acquaintance with a puppy, learn to control his barking. The Pyrenean mountain, like any breed that earns its bread by guarding, is very talkative and responds with a voice to any suspicious sound. Of course, you can buy a special collar that will slightly "shake" the dog with an electric discharge when he howls for no reason. However, using such accessories, you run a great risk of falling in the eyes of your pet, so it's better to use the good old method of ignoring (when the owner does not pay attention to the dog's signals). This approach will not turn the Pyrenees into silencers, but it will discourage the hunt to "vote" for trifles.

Sometimes the process of training a Pyrenean mountain dog is delayed not because of the stubbornness of the animal, but because of the mistakes of the trainer. Such may be the repeated repetition of the command and the delay of positive reinforcement – it is necessary to stimulate the pet with a caress or a treat immediately after the successful fulfillment of the requirement. With punishment, as well as with encouragement, you should not delay. If you have already decided to give the ward a dressing down, then first catch him at the scene of the crime, for example, tearing off the wallpaper.

Working out several commands at the same time is also a useless activity. With this approach, the animal gets confused and does not understand what specific action is expected of it. And of course, under no circumstances modify the commands. If they started ordering the puppy to "Sit down!", then the words "Sit down!" and "Sit down!" should not be used. It is also forbidden to sin with excessive softness and rigidity of the treatment of the Pyrenees. In the first case, the dog will cease to respect you, and in the second it will begin to fear and hate, which is even worse.

Maintenance and care

On the Internet you can find photos of Pyrenees, supposedly happily living in city apartments, although in fact the breed is not adapted to living in such cramped conditions, as well as to constantly sitting in an aviary and on a chain. The optimal habitat for the Pyrenean mountain dog is a spacious yard, and it is desirable that the animal has the opportunity to enter the house if he wants to. Low temperatures, if they are not extreme frosts, the Pyrenees are not afraid – after all, people from the mountains. However, it is necessary to make an insulated booth with a curtain made of dense felt, which prevents the penetration of cold air inside, for the pet. As a litter in the kennel, it is more expedient to use dry hay – it warms better and absorbs less moisture.

An aviary with a wooden flooring and a canopy can also be built, but the Pyrenees should sit in it for a couple of hours a day at most – the breed loves freedom of movement and tolerates space restrictions hard. A strong fence is a mandatory attribute in the house where the Pyrenean mountain dog lives. The construction should be solid – made of stones, metal or thick boards reinforced with a chain-link dug around the perimeter, which prevents the descendant of Tibetan Molossians from digging. With locks on the gate, you will also have to be wise – representatives of this breed quickly learn to understand how to press the door handle with a paw so that it opens.

Do not think that if the animal freely cuts circles around the yard or the backyard, then you can forget about walking. It is necessary to bring even decorative dogs to the promenade, not to mention such energetic breeds as the Pyrenean mountain, which needs to physically lay out at least twice a day. Puppies should be taken out to breathe air more often, but it is undesirable to strain them with training – in adolescence, Pyrenees have weak joints, so excessive loads will only provoke health problems. It is not recommended to allow young individuals to climb stairs and walk on slippery surfaces (laminate, parquet) – the puppy's joints are not ready for this.

Hygiene

The snow-white "fur coat" of the Pyrenean mountain dog does not smell like a dog, but the molting of a representative of this breed can shock an unprepared owner with its scale. This is especially true when the animal lives indoors. However, there is a positive side here – periods of "hair loss" happen to dogs about once a year, which is not so often. The care of the shedding pyrenees is traditional: the owner is armed with rare and frequent combs, a pukhoderka and a koltunorez and is daily passed by the listed tools on the wool of the ward. In the intervals between molts, the descendant of molossians can be combed a couple of times a week, paying increased attention to the area behind the ears.

The breed's wool is capable of self-cleaning, so the dogs do not need frequent bathing. But do not expect that the dog living in the yard will look like a snow-white overgrown bunny. Dust particles and small debris will still stick to the hair, you should take this state of affairs calmly. If you need a neat glamorous handsome, then, firstly, put your pet in the house, and secondly, spend money on cleansing shampoos that give the coats of Pyrenean mountain dogs a reference whiteness, and also use conditioners that facilitate combing.

The eyes and ears of the Pyrenees do not need specific care. Everything is standard here: for the prevention of acidification of the eyes, wiping with chamomile infusion and cold unsweetened tea is ideal; gauze swabs moistened with chlorhexidine or hygienic lotion from the vetapteca will be useful for removing sulfur plaque from the ear funnel. Once a month, the Pyrenean mountain dog has its claws cut, and the upper part of the claw growth is removed on the thumbs.

And do you know that... the soft coat of the Pyrenean mountain dog is highly appreciated by knitters. Snow-white dog yarn makes stunningly fluffy mittens, shawls and hats, which perfectly warm, but do not prick at all, unlike products made of natural sheep wool.

Feeding

Two-thirds of the adult Pyrenean diet should be protein (meat, fish, cottage cheese, offal), and not heat-treated. Don't worry, the animal's body will easily digest any raw meat, except pork and fatty lamb. But the fat content of the fish fillet is only good for Pyrenean mountain dogs. The only caveat is that it should be sea and well–frozen fish. The remaining third of the daily diet consists of vegetables, fruits and cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice). The latter are not always well absorbed by the pet's digestion, but they help to make the portion more satisfying.

From carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips and cabbage, the dog can make salads seasoned with low-fat sour cream, or shavings, in which the meat is then rolled. As additional sources of useful minerals, fats and polyunsaturated acids, breeders recommend giving natural butter (a couple of times a week in a small cube), bran (a tablespoon per serving of food), linseed oil (a teaspoon 1 time a week), kelp.

Periodically, it is useful for Pyrenees to gnaw a bone, but it should be spongy, not tubular bone with enough meat and certainly raw. Overfeed puppies of Pyrenean mountain dogs, as well as adults, is harmful. The breed is characterized by a slow metabolism, so its representatives quickly gain weight, which puts pressure on the joints. Remember, in a healthy and normally developing puppy, the ribs should be well felt – this is considered a normal condition.

Portion sizes should be determined by the habitat. Pyrenean mountain dogs living in booths need a higher calorie diet than their counterparts living in houses. Transferring a pet to dry industrial feed is also not prohibited, but a suitable option will have to be selected for a long time – the components contained in the "drying" can stain the Pyrenean wool, and are also not always perfectly absorbed by the digestive system. It will not be possible to save on dry food: all varieties of "drying", the class of which is lower than super-premium, are dangerous for the health of the dog.

Health and diseases of Pyrenean mountain dogs

Like most large breeds, Pyrenees suffer from hereditary dysplasia of the elbow and hip joints, so it is very important to select healthy producers for planned mating. At the age of 4-6 months, dogs may have a dislocation of the kneecap, which is also a genetically determined ailment. Not so often, however, there are problems with the eyes, among which the most common are cataracts and eyelid inversion. Special attention should be paid to feeding the pet. Pyrenean mountain dogs are prone to overeating, leading to such an unpleasant phenomenon as stomach inversion.

How to choose a puppy

There are from 4 to 7 puppies in the litter of the Pyrenean mountain dog. Childbirth in bitches is easy, and outside intervention is rarely required, but in the first days breeders closely monitor the producer – sometimes large mothers are able to crush a baby or two as a result of a careless turn.

• Going to the kennel to get acquainted with the puppy, ask the seller to show the whole litter. If there are no cardinal differences between the size and complexion of babies, this indicates a high quality of offspring.
• Rate the legs of a Pyrenean mountain puppy. Look at the animal in the stance and movement, pay attention to the position of the limbs (they should be parallel to each other) and the presence of dewclaws – there should be two of them on each hind leg.
• Fluffy "caps" on the heads of puppies and large ears are normal phenomena for the breed. With age, the fluff on the head of the pyrenees disappears, and the ears against the background of the gained body weight no longer look like "burdocks".
• Demand that the breeder weigh the pyrenees he likes. At two months, an exemplary baby should weigh at least 7 kg, and at three – about 14-19 kg.
• Look for a nursery specializing in country cultivation. Pyrenean mountain dogs bred in cramped apartments are almost always unhealthy, rickety and mentally unbalanced individuals.
• Take a closer look at how the kids communicate with the breeder. If they willingly come up for affection and do not raise a squeal when they are picked up, this is a good sign. This means that the animals have a balanced psyche, and the owner treats the wards correctly.
• The puppy's coat should be thick and fluffy from the first days of life. Do not believe the promises of the seller that as the Pyrenees with a rare coat grow up, they will "increase" the necessary amount of shagginess. That's definitely not going to happen.
• Study the pedigrees of producers and find out if they have been tested for dysplasia – in serious nurseries they do not save on veterinary examinations.

Price of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog

In Russia, the breed is not represented as widely as in the USA or European countries, so you will have to spend time looking for a reliable nursery. The non-proliferation of the Pyrenees also affects their price tag. For example, buying a puppy with a pure pedigree, without malformations will cost in $500 – $600. Offspring born from a foreign manufacturer will cost an order of magnitude more expensive – the seller will not forget to take into account the costs of travel to another country and the time spent. The owners of the promoted foreign nurseries are very reluctant to agree to the mating of their pets with the Russian Pyrenees. Individuals with mediocre ancestors, defects in the exterior and those not examined for genetic ailments can be purchased cheaper – in the area $300 – $350, but in this case there is a great risk of going broke on treatment with a veterinarian.