Working group

Great Pyrenees

Calm, majestic and independent — a livestock guardian at heart.

Great Pyrenees are serene, patient guardians bred to protect sheep from wolves and bears. They are gentle with family but independent, protective and nocturnal barkers who need secure fencing and a tolerant owner.

Height
25–32 in64–81 cm
Weight
85–160 lb39–73 kg
Life expectancy
10–12 years
Size
Giant
Group
Working
Origin
Pyrenees Mountains (France and Spain)

Coat: Long, thick, weather-resistant double coat. Colours: White, White with badger, grey, tan or reddish markings.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement2.0 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"4.5 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability2.0 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation2.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level3.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness2.5 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety4.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness3.5 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive2.0 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking5.0 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level5.0 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden3.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency3.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability1.5 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness2.5 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level3.5 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Pyrs are calm, affectionate and devoted to “their” flock — which at home means family and pets. They are patient with children and often gentle with small animals they know.

They were bred to make decisions alone, so they are not eager-to-please. They patrol, bark (especially at night) at perceived threats and may wander if not fenced. Recall is notoriously unreliable.

Living with a Great Pyrenees

Exercise

Moderate: 30–60 minutes of walking daily. They prefer patrolling to running. Keep them cool in summer.

Grooming

Brush weekly, daily during heavy sheds. The coat sheds dirt well but produces lots of hair. Check the double rear dewclaws.

Training

Independent and slow to respond. Keep training short, patient and reward-based. Always use a lead or secure fencing.

Kids & other pets

Gentle and protective with children and pets. May be wary of unfamiliar dogs and people.

Time alone

Comfortable alone if they have a territory to watch, but may bark a lot.

Home fit

Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.

Is a Great Pyrenees right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Great Pyrenees matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Great Pyrenees typically lives 10–12 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Hip dysplasia

    Common in giant breeds; screened parents help.

  • Patellar luxation

    Occurs more than expected for the breed size.

  • Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)

    A risk in deep-chested breeds.

  • Osteosarcoma

    Bone cancer is more common in giant breeds.

  • Canine multifocal retinopathy

    An inherited eye condition; DNA testing is available.

Ask a breeder for

  • Hip evaluation
  • Patella evaluation
  • Elbow evaluation
  • DNA test for canine multifocal retinopathy

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Great Pyrenees; Great Pyrenees Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $2,000–$4,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Great Pyrenees guarded flocks in the Pyrenees Mountains for centuries. In the 17th century French nobility adopted them as estate guardians, and the Dauphin declared the breed the Royal Dog of France in 1675.

The breed nearly vanished in its homeland in the early 1900s but was rebuilt from mountain stock. The AKC recognised it in 1933. Pyrs still work as livestock guardians worldwide.

Did you know?

  • Great Pyrenees have double dewclaws on their hind legs.
  • They were declared the Royal Dog of France in 1675.
  • Livestock guardian Pyrs often work alone with their flock for days.

Library guides for Great Pyrenees owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Do Great Pyrenees bark a lot?
Yes, especially at night. It is part of their guardian instinct.
Are Great Pyrenees good family dogs?
Yes, for patient owners who accept independence and barking. They are gentle with children.
Can Great Pyrenees be off lead?
Rarely. They tend to roam and ignore recall.