Our Great Pyrenees Dogs
They are a part of our family and guardians of our land.
The majestic Great Pyrenees is a massive, fiercely protective,
yet gentle and loving dog.
These dogs are a vital part of our farm and family.
They are excellent working dogs and do a tremendous job guarding our livestock(Chickens, Ducks, Goats etc).
All while loving us humans with their whole heart.
We currently have a litter of Great Pyrenees puppies that are for sale.
If you are interested in a puppy as a working LGD or family guardian, we have applications open.
II
A little about us, the breeder...
I have been involved with the dog world for over 25 years. It started out with obedience training for my beagle. I reached the utility level with him, which for a Beagle is a tremendous feat
doing positive reinforcement training. After that, I bred and showed top-quality AKC German Shepherds for over 10 years. In addition to showing and training, I opened my own dog grooming shop which I ran for about 15 years... Then I had my human kids. I decided to take a break from dogs and grooming to focus more time on my family.
Fast forward some years later, and I find myself and my family living on a farm with, angora and dairy goats, chickens, ducks, etc. That's when I decided to find an LGD (livestock guardian dog) that could do the job of protecting our farm, family, and home. I decided on the stunning Great Pyrenees breed as they have the temperament of a loving
teddy bear and will also be a fierce protector.
They are not just a guard dog. They are guardians.
THE BREED
Overview
The Great Pyrenees is a large, thickly coated, and immensely powerful working dog bred to deter sheep-stealing wolves and other predators. Pyrs are mellow companions and vigilant guardians of home and family. Frequently described as 'majestic,' the Pyrenees are big, immensely strong mountain dogs standing as high as 32 inches at the shoulder and often tipping the scales at more than 100 pounds. These guardians are very independent-thinking dogs. They usually exhibit a Zen-like calm, but they can quickly spring into action and move with grace and speed to meet a threat.
Character
Great Pyrenees are intuitive, independent thinkers and formidable protectors and companions who may seem almost human at times; they aren’t big, white golden retrievers looking to please. They are not herding dogs, they are guardians. Sometimes stubborn; They are well-mannered and very affectionate. This breed does very well as a companion and shows its true colors in a country environment.
Temperament
Loving, gentle, and very affectionate. This breed does an amazing job as a guardian of both their family and livestock. They love their family with their whole heart but can some time be stubborn and independent.
Care
Shedding heavily once a year, the Great Pyrenees requires much maintenance during this period. Regular brushing is a good idea to help reduce matting. An occasional bath is also a good idea.
Coat
The Great Pyrenees has a beautiful fluffy double coat. The outer coat is coarse and long. The undercoat should be thick and soft, somewhat like cotton. The Pyrenees don't require a lot of grooming, as their coat is dirt- and tangle-resistant.
Training
Pyrs were bred to be independent thinkers, to work without guidance watching and protecting their flock. Although they are intelligent, standard obedience training is sometimes difficult. They don't always see the point of sitting, heeling, or staying. They will let their boredom show by performing most tasks with a slow response. Nonetheless, early socialization and puppy training is recommended to help give the Pyr a good start in becoming a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion.
Activity
Pyrs are not a super active breed. The breed was developed to be a livestock guardian and has been used since ancient times to protect flocks from wolves, bears, and human foes. When working, they will patrol their territory but tend to conserve their energy for fending off whatever may threaten their flock. They should always have a medium to large-sized yard. Regular runs off lead are best for this large dog, and walks with their owner will help keep them healthy and happy.
Weight
Male: 110 - 160lb; Female: 80 - 120 lbs
Height
Male: 27-32; Female: 24-29 inches
Color(s)
White or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown, or tan
Info about them .
The Great Pyrenees can also be a great therapy and service dog. Despite being much bigger than most dogs, this breed is extremely gentle and affectionate, soothing stressed out humans with their kind temperment. The National Pyr Rescue association also points out that these dogs are extremely smart and intuitive
1.
They Were Bred to Be Guard Dogs
The Great Pyrenees was bred to be a livestock guard dog for the farmers in the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe which form the border between France and Spain. These farmers bred the Great Pyrenees and the smaller Pyrenean Shepherds; the latter was in charge of herding, while the former was in charge of protecting the flock from predators like wolves and bears.
2. The Breed Is So Old, They’ve Been Fossilized
The Great Pyrenees likely arrived in the Pyrenean Mountains with their shepherds around the year 3,000 B.C. Fossils of the Great Pyrenees have been found in the region and dated to between 1800 B.C. and 1000 B.C. Experts think the breed probably evolved from white mountain dogs that originated in Asia Minor as many as 11,000 years ago.
3. They Are Instinctively Nurturing
The Great Pyrenees is not just a guard dog. He is a guardian. The Great Pyrenees protects the members of the flock, and he also cares for and nurtures them. His instinct is to be kind to and patient with all vulnerable animals.
4. They Became Royalty in France
For thousands of years, the Great Pyrenees was the dog of peasant livestock farmers. But he gained popularity with the French royals and nobility in the Renaissance years. According to French writings from 1407, the “Great Dogs of the Mountains” served as guardians for the Chateau fort de Lordes, a castle in southwestern France. In 1675, King Louis XIV’s royal court declared the Great Pyrenees the Royal Dog of France.
5. Queen Victoria Owned One
Pyrs were not just coveted by the French nobility. Queen Victoria of England owned one in the mid-19th century. Queen Victoria was a dog lover and owned many different breeds throughout her life.
6. The Marquis de Lafayette Brought Them to the United States
The Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War and was close with George Washington, brought the first Great Pyrenees to the United States in 1824. Lafayette gave a pair of Pyrs to his friend, J.S. Skinner, who later wrote a book called “The Dog and the Sportsman.”
7. They Helped Revive the St. Bernard
In 1870, Pyrenean blood was used with that of other large breeds to help bring back the St. Bernard after that noble dog’s numbers had been so greatly depleted by avalanches and distemper at the hospice in Switzerland.
8. They Were Used to Haul Artillery in WWII
Standing guard isn’t the only job that this breed has had. During World War II, the Great Pyrenees was used to bring supplies of artillery over the Pyrenees Mountains in between Spain and France.