Pyrenean Mountain Dog

The Pyrenean mountain dog is a charming animal that cannot leave anyone indifferent who saw a huge snow-white dog with intelligent and slightly sad eyes. Representatives of this breed in our country are not as popular as in European countries, in America and Japan. However, gradually the “white bear” is winning the hearts of our compatriots.

History of origin

The Pyrenean giants were known more than 6,000 years ago. Together with the nomadic tribes, they came to the territory of France from Spain, where they came, perhaps from Asia. Strong, brave dogs not only guarded the nomad camps from predators, but also helped in the transportation of goods through the snow-covered mountain passes.

In the folklore of the French Pyrenees there is a touching legend about the origin of the breed. It tells about a little girl who got lost in the mountains and wandered through the snow until nightfall. Exhausted and cold, she began to pray to God to help her. And a miracle happened - high cold snowdrifts turned into big white dogs, which warmed the girl up to the morning with their fluffy hair, and with the rising of the sun they brought to the village. In gratitude, the child’s parents left the giants in their possession. Devoted dogs began to protect the poor from hungry predators and thieves.

The dogs proved to be unsurpassed guards of sheep herds, so they were later used in the defense of border fortresses and castles. The first documentaries of the white defenders belong to the beginning of the XV century.

It was here that, obviously, the French aristocrats noticed them. The king who was guarding the castles of the dogs was seen by the sun king, Louis XIV, who was circling his possessions, and ordered several fluffy giants to be delivered to the court. Balanced, obedient dogs quickly became the favorites of the courtiers.

The French Revolution led to a significantly reduced number. The few remaining dogs starved and died. Only in the 20th century, a group of canine enthusiasts from France and Spain gathered dogs scattered in remote parts of the Pyrenees and began to restore the breed.

The first description of the standard was published at the beginning of the last century, and only fifty years later it was officially adopted. In 1986, the breed standard was finally approved by international associations, including FCI.

Breed description Pyrenean mountain dog

The exterior of Pyrenean mountain dogs meets the requirements for which the breed was created. Many researchers dispute their belonging to the Molossians. They believe that this breed belongs to the wolf-like Lupomollossoid, a much older breed.

People selected from the litter of the largest puppies with a light coat color noticeable among the greens. White large dogs differed from wolves, which allowed them to be spotted on time and not destroyed along with predators.

Mountain dogs have a large body. Their height reaches 75-81 cm. And weight - 42-55 kg. But with such impressive dimensions, the dog does not look bulky. In a few words, the amazing appearance of the “Pyrenean” can be described - strength, elegance, smiling.

According to the standard, a mountain dog must have:

1. The skull is rounded and not too massive, with a pronounced occipital protuberance. The "front" part is almost equal to the length of the skull. The muzzle is wedge-shaped, with a smooth transition from the frontal part to the nose. Brow arc and cheekbones weak, cheeks flat.
2. The eyes are small, almond-shaped, widely spaced. Coloring of an iris from saturated brown to nut color is allowed. The eyelids tightly and completely cover the eyeball. Due to the dark pigmentation of the edge and a slightly slanting cut of the eyes, their expression is very characteristic. "Pyrenean view" is described as intelligent, thoughtful, a little sad. Such an expression of the eyes is necessary when assessing the dog.
3. Ears can be small or medium, triangular, low set. The tips of the auricle are rounded and arranged at the level of the outer corners of the eyes. From the edge of the eye to the base of the ear there is a line formed by the convergence of the hair of the upper and lower parts of the muzzle.
4. Jaws strong with scissor or straight bite. Teeth are white, strong, full dentition. The lower incisors may deviate somewhat inward.
5. The lips are dry, covering the teeth tightly, painted black, as well as the nose.
6. The body is somewhat stretched - in length more than in height.
7. The chest is wide, powerful, with developed muscles.
8. The back is straight, strong. To the tail, it drops slightly. Withers and croup are pronounced.
9. The paws are straight, strong, with well-pronounced angles of the joints, which are difficult to see under thick hair. The corners of the joints are directed strictly back and under the body. Paws are oval, with tightly closed toes. On hind legs there are double dewclaws, and on the front pins - single.
10. The tail is long, low. In motion, the dog can carry it over its back or lower it to its hind legs.

Colors and coat

Unique and special is the coat of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. The lower part - underside, thick, dense, tender not very long. The upper dog is tougher, longer. The hair is straight, it can be a little twisted, but without curliness.

The length on the back of the paws is longer. There the thick long hair forms "pants". Very long and thick hair is located around the dog's neck, which is why the Pyrenean has a proud and elegant look, like a Frenchman in a frez (Spanish collar) from the Renaissance period.

The tail is also decorated with long hair. On the face, the ears are shorter, softer. The great advantage of a chic "fur coat" of a dog is its self-cleaning.

The most preferable and spectacular is a pure white color, but spots of light beige (pale yellow), light gray, reddish and badger color are allowed. But at the same time the spots should not occupy more than 1/3 of the surface of the coat. Spots can be located around the ears, on the head, at the root of the tail. On the case, there may also be spots of a different color, but not black.

Character

The happy owners of the dogs of this rare breed celebrate intelligence, kindness, patience, love for the family. Former "poglovye" dogs and brave guards today partially lost working skills, but have become excellent companions.

Huge dogs, similar to bears, patiently demolish the pranks of children, allow them to ride themselves, play with them in a fun and enthusiastic manner. Therefore, the Pyrenean dogs are used for the psychological rehabilitation of children with developmental disabilities.

Awesome-looking dogs peacefully coexist with other pets and get along even with cats. Dogs never show aggression, always balanced and calm. But pledged genetically protective properties make the dog wary of strangers.

The owners say that when they come to visit or meet guests at their home, they give the dog some time to get comfortable, make sure that they do not threaten the owners of the house, and only then allow them to approach the dog. Only by being convinced of the friendly disposition of strangers, does the dog allow even to stroke himself.

The dog very carefully and conscientiously guards the territory, property and family life entrusted to him. Terrible appearance, loud impressive voice frightens off violators as effectively as direct aggression.

But sometimes a dog may show stubbornness, excessive autonomy, disobedience. A proud and freedom-loving dog does not tolerate familiarity from strangers, rudeness and cruelty from loved ones. But in this case, he can only growl. Especially often changes in the character observed in the Pyreneans in the "teenage" age.

Training

These huge dogs for a very long time remain “puppies” in behavior and soul, therefore from a young age it is necessary to educate and train a puppy. Up to three years old “puppy” behavior can cause inconvenience, which means that during this period training should divert, give a naughty playfulness.

The Pyrenean giant is called the dog of one leader. Therefore, a person of weak character, nervous or cowardly, the dog will not obey. It is better to entrust the training of a professional canine.

The dog will not tolerate mistreatment, violence, therefore, when raising and training, you should act aggressively, but not “breaking” the character of the dog. Given the natural skills of the dog, it can be taught search work, perform the functions of a lifeguard, a guide for blind people.

Screaming, trying to "re-direct" or intimidate a dog is impossible. Only patience, perseverance, tact and self-confidence will help to overcome and correct the negative traits of the Pyrenean mountain dog.

Experienced owners and dog experts advise from the very beginning to socialize the dog. So that he does not perceive others, as a herd, requiring care and control, the dog should spend as much time as possible with pets and family members.

Care and health

Special attention and care for the Pyrenean requires its magnificent "coat." To make it look well-groomed, wool should be carefully combed 2-3 times a month, and during the molting period - daily. If you do not follow the thick hair of the pet, it will form mats.

It is not necessary to bathe a dog too often. So, wool can thin, thin, weaken. Exhibition specimens are washed with the help of special whitening shampoos in order to get rid of yellowness around the mouth, eyes, on the paws and in the lower abdomen. Since mountain dogs love water and swim with pleasure, water treatments are not difficult.

The rest of the treatment is represented by standard procedures - brushing your teeth, examining the ears, eye care and clipping claws. It is recommended that as you grow hair, cut around the anus, as it gets dirty quickly. In addition, care is:

• a thorough examination of the wool after walking to rid the pet of ticks;
• treatment of wool and skin from blood-sucking parasites;
• deworming dogs;
• timely vaccination.

Mountain dogs with proper care live more than 10-12 years. You can ensure a normal life expectancy by regularly examining a dog in a veterinary clinic in order to prevent genetically determined diseases.

Breed diseases

Pyrenean mountain dogs have good health, because throughout the history of the breed they have been isolated and not changed. But, like most large dogs, they have breed diseases. Among them are the following:

• problems with the joints and bones of the limbs, which account for a significant load - dysplasia, subluxation, rickets;
• abnormalities of the organs of vision.

With the right feeding and selection of physical activity, a healthy beautiful dog will grow out of a big cute puppy.

Feeding

For 3 years, the dog grows and matures. And the one-year-old puppy exceeds the size of many large dogs, so special attention should be paid to the nutrition of the "highlander". At puppy age, a dog needs a larger amount of food, compared to its own weight.

Professionals advise to feed growing active puppies with natural food with a high content of proteins and fats. They argue that, unlike people, fatty foods prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular pathologies inherent in large and gigantic breeds.

The entire amount of food corresponding to the puppy's weight is divided into 2-4 feedings, and the rest of the food in the bowls is removed after 20 minutes so as not to cause the development of juvenile obesity characteristic of large dogs contained in a group.

Do not feed dogs exclusively with meat or by-products. Animal food contains a lot of phosphorus and little calcium. In case of malnutrition, the “leaching” of calcium from the bones begins.

In the diet of the dog should be porridge, vegetables. Proper preparation of the daily ration for feeding dogs with natural food is difficult for the non-professional, so the owners prefer to feed the Pyreneans with ready-made feeds.

They are balanced, but also require consideration of physical activity. Less active dogs are given less feed. Feed increase in the winter and slightly reduced in the summer. Clean water must be in large quantities.

Content

It is impossible to keep such a big dog in a city apartment. The dog will feel comfortable only in a country house with a large house territory. The dog badly transfers the limited and closed space, especially the contents on a chain humiliates this proud dog and spoils its character.

The structural features of the “fur coat” of a mountain dog allow it to tolerate cold and heat well, but this does not mean that the dog should spend the whole day on the street. Puppies and adult dogs should spend the night in shelter, and it is even better in the house to constantly contact to owners. In the aviary produce dog on the day.

The dog needs to move a lot, walk, implement protective instincts, freely bypassing the territory.

Photo of a Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Video about the Pyrenean mountain dog

Where to buy a puppy

It is necessary to acquire a Pyrenean mountain dog only in the kennel, since unscrupulous sellers can give them other breeds of white, shaggy dogs - Pyrenean shepherd dogs, Caucasians and other less rare and cheaper ones.

The cost of a puppy in the nursery varies from 1000 to 2000 dollars. You can find out the addresses of nurseries and proven breeders through the Russian Club "Pyrenean Mountain Dog".

In Moscow, puppies of this rare breed can be bought in nurseries:

• Polini - http://www.kennel-polini.ru;
• Yakogor - yakogor.ru;
• Cher Prestige - http://sherprestige.ru.

This rare and beautiful breed is unlikely to be able to compete in our country with dogs of medium and dwarf sizes. Urbanization prevents the comfortable maintenance of the “bears”, but for those who have a country house, these magnificent white “smiles” will become loyal guards, loyal friends and nannies for toddlers.