Great Pyrenees
About the Great Pyrenees
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Giant (100+ lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 25-32" |
| Weight | 85-160 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,700/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Great Pyreneess may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Guard Dog
- Working Professionals
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
Guides for your Great Pyrenees
The story behind the Great Pyrenees
Shepherds in the Pyrenees, on both the French and Spanish sides, kept large white flock guardians for many centuries to protect sheep from wolves and bears in summer grazing, and the type belongs to a broader family of European mountain guardian dogs. French court fashion took up the breed during the seventeenth century, when it was designated a dog of the French nobility, and estate use as a guardian followed. Numbers fell as predators were eliminated and pastoral farming contracted, and dedicated breeders in France and Britain rebuilt the population in the early twentieth century, with a French club and standard established in the 1920s. Exports to North America followed soon after. The breed now works again on farms where large predators have returned, and is also kept widely as a companion and show dog.
Originally bred for: Livestock guardian, Flock protection, Estate guardian. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Great Pyrenees
Guardians burn less fuel than their bulk implies, so measured feeding of a complete large-breed diet keeps them from becoming heavy. Slow growth in puppyhood is important for developing joints, and two calm daily meals suit adults better than free access.
Watch for: No breed-particular intolerance has been established. Owners sometimes mistake seasonal coat problems for food reactions, when heavy undercoat and trapped moisture are the real cause. A veterinarian should be involved before any ingredient is excluded or the diet is overhauled.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Great Pyrenees
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.