Pyrenean Mountain Dog

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, also commonly known as the Great Pyrenees, is a large, loyal breed of dog that was used traditionally for protecting livestock (especially sheep) in pasture.

It is a very old breed, and has been used for millennia by the Basque people. The Basques are an indigenous people who inhabit parts of the region in and around the Pyrenees Mountains of southern France. More recently, it has served as the official dog of the royal French court (whose prominence began circa the Middle Ages, and lasted until the middle of the nineteenth century).

Males often weigh in around 100 pounds (45 kilograms), while bitches are approximately 85 pounds (39 kilograms). Their fur is often white, but may sport shades of grey or tan; these dogs are called "blaireau".

Temperament

Loyal and protective of its territory, Pyrenees makes for a great family dog. However, there are several reasons owning a dog of this breed may be inconducive, including the following:

• Owners can expect copious amounts white fur â???? down hair and coat â???? disseminated throughout the owner's abode.
• Neighbours may be annoyed and complain about the deep, booming bark â???? if the dog is left outside continuously.
• Interested owners should be wary of conflating the temperament of Golden Retrievers with this breed of dog. Prospective owners are advised to familiarize themselves with characteristics of Livestock guardian dogs (LGD) â???? which are known for their independent nature.
• Best suited for those living on property with a large yard, as it enjoys walks and attention â???? especially from children.
• Obedience training and socialization at a young age are a must, as this breed grows large and strong and is best suited for someone capable of handling a large dog.
• In the field it is an excellent guardian â???? large enough to be a deterrent to smaller pests, such as foxes, and a match for larger wildlife, such as bears.

Miscellaneous

• In the anime/manga Azumanga Daioh, Mr. Tadakichi is a Great Pyrenees.
• In the anime/manga Full Metal Alchemist, Shou and Nina Tucker's dog Alexander is most likely a Great Pyrenees.
• In the novel, Belle et Sébastien, Belle is a Great Pyrenees.
• The 2004 film Finding Neverland used a Great Pyrenees to represent J.M. Barrie's Landseer Newfoundland.
• The Spanish designer Javier Mariscal was inspired by this dog breed for the design of the 1992 Summer Olympics mascot "Cobi".

This article is licenced under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Pyrenean Mountain Dog".