Gentle or hard to handle

Hello, We just got a 7 week old Great Pyrenees for Christmas. He is the sweetest, most loving boy ever. Took him today for his first vet check and the vet said they are aggressive and hard to handle dogs and not a good family dog. This shocked me as I have heard just the opposite. Can someone tell me if she is right. She has us very worried.

Thank you!

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Dec 24, 2017
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Find another vet
by: Nashville

Our pyr volunteers with kiids, cancer patients, seniors. Find another vet that knows the breed!!!

Dec 24, 2017
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Find another vet
by: Nashville

Crazy!!! Pyrs are known for gentle nature. They guard sheep and goats and people. Mine is a therapy dog and has patience and sweetness. Maybe he meant pit bulls.

Dec 24, 2017
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protective
by: Anonymous

Lots of opinions out there about just about everything. So, remember always to follow your own heart. You should consider finding another vet, though. Your dog will feel her negativity towards him which he will express by being uncooperative.
We also had conflicting viewpoints regarding our new family member but our experience with our Pyrenees has been one of discovery and pure joy.
If this is your first experience with these wonderful dogs, prepare for an adventure. They are protective, loyal, loving guardians. They have their own mind about everything.
Conventional training methods (reward and punishment) cannot be used when teaching your Pyr. Always use positive reinforcement. Find a trainer familiar with Pyrs, to teach you this method if you are unsure. Start now creating good dog habits. Always encourage gentleness and respect in your interactions with your pup. With Pyrs, what you give is what you will get.
Remember to neuter when he is 15-20 mos. of age, and enjoy your boy!

Dec 24, 2017
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Aggression in Pyrs
by: Donna

Pyrs who are well-bred, socialized and handled by many many different people in the first 8 weeks with the breeder and continued by you will be fine. On-going socialization is imperative. Any breed of dog might be aggressive (out of fear) if not bred, socialized and handled as indicated.

They are not aggressive by nature.

It could be your vet has seen, sadly, Pyrs who have not had the proper upbringing and breeding.

Dec 24, 2017
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hard to handle
by: Anonymous

OMGOSH!!! I cannot believe any vet would tell u that!!! First, your dog is stunning!!!! I have had 3 and each one was loving and loyal! They r huge family dogs. I always have 3 dogs at the same time and they have gotten along wonderfully with their brothers, and oh by the way all males!! I have loved all of my dogs dearly but my Pyrenees's were by far the most loving of all my dogs. My vet would not own any other breed of dog, so, so much for a vet's opinion!!!!!

Dec 24, 2017
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GENTLE GIANTS
by: Wendy

Our dog, JOURNEY, is almost 1 yr old. We have many other animals and I've seen her lay on her belly in their presence to show them she wants to be friendly. I've never heard her growl..bark, yes, growl no. Not yet...she oversees ducks and chickens and has never harmed one. She loves to jump up on my chest to hug and I'm teaching her when that is allowed because I love her hugs. She greets me every morning when I'm feeding the animals and when I bring her her food, she jumps up or sits to wait for hugs and pets before she will eat and that's with her food right there in her face. She's turned down good treats in lieu of getting hugs first...then she'll take her snacks. I love that dog. You just love on yours and give him lots of love...and find others who know the breed who can help u if need be. I have a 4 lb Maltese and a 12 lb miniature American Eskimo who live inside but go out on the property often. If JOURNEY is out, she just wants to play, the American Eskimo is grouchy to journey and I limit their time until Dollie learns not to be grouchy to journey. Journey has been voice trained to leave Dori the Maltese alone..never had a growl or snip...our goat, Dottie and JOURNEY play together often and walk the property when we let them out of their perspective areas which is when I'm outside working or home and know I can supervise. We have lots of land and it's butted up to lots more farm land, so I go out with them or keep a check when I do let them out....they love it!

Dec 31, 2017
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Pyrenees temperament
by: Anonymous

Really sounds like that vet has no idea about Pyrenees as any quick research on the breed consistency tells about how wonderful they are as family dogs and how great they are with kids. Ours has demonstrated this time and again and is adored by everyone (including other dogs). What a shame such poor information is being spread. As with any dog, how you raise them can affect their temperament and as they will be very large training is needed. However, most dogs need training.

Dec 31, 2017
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Pyr temperament
by: Donna

If anyone has volunteered in dog rescue, they know that not all dog breeds are as claimed in generic profiles on different breeds and this goes for Pyrs. It is very sad the number of dogs that people want to surrender for aggression. Good rescues do not take these dogs as they cannot be 'turned around'. They are dangerous.

Bites and aggression occur most commonly when dogs are acquired from unethical breeders (farmers, backyard breeders and pet stores (puppy mills)). These dogs do not get the required and crucial socialization handling by many many different people in their first 8 weeks of life and to be continued by their new family.

There is also genetics involved. Unethical breeders will mix their breeds. Some don't know the difference between a Pyr, Maremma, Akbash or Kuvasz. They just know they are all white and fluffy. This can cause major issues when they are mixed as wires get crossed and aggression can occur.

These unethical breeding sources are only in it for profit. Sadly, families are left not knowing what happened to them.

For those people lucky enough to get good dogs, that's great.

Always go to a breeder from a recognized kennel club if you want to ensure you have a Pyr for it's gentle traits and will welcome any invited guest into your home.

Jan 01, 2018
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GET A NEW VET. Pyres are gentle
by: Anonymous

Wow! No Vet should judge a breed so harshly. I highly recommend switching vet offices.

I have had several Pyres and will continue to always have a pyre in my life. This breed is amazing. Pyres are sensitive; if you yell at them their feelings are hurt. If you treat them with love and respect and spend time with them daily you will be rewarded with a friend and companion for life. You should only use positive training methods. Praise, praise praise. Never punish or you will lose their trust. I highly recommend puppy training & socialization classes and then a few intermediate classes. This breed grows very fast and is very strong, so working with them early has always worked well for me and I often get compliments on how well my pyres behave and listen to me.

I got a Pyre from a rescue that came from bad situation and I too was told he would be a challenge and may be too old to turn around. With a little extra time and attention he was the best dog ever. He was grateful for love and attention and so excited for the little things like a new toy, a ride in the car or a walk in the woods. I miss that boy to this day.

The only time one of my pyres growled at a person was when a stranger knocked at my door asking me to unlock my security door to sign a petition. Needless to say, I did not unlock the door. I listened to my pyre and trusted his instincts. To this day I have absolutely no regrets and 100% believe something was off with that situation that my pyre was warning me about.

Good luck with your pup. As with any pet I believe you get out what you put in; just like kids. The more time and love you give them the more will return to you ten times over.

Jan 21, 2018
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Ridiculous Vet Comment
by: Anonymous

What a ridiculous comment from a vet no less.
Change veterinarian....

Jan 25, 2018
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Aggressive
by: Jerry & Elizabeth walters

Get a new vet . The only aggression Yeti shows is towards 2 intact males in the neighborhood . They are very protective of their peeps . They are the most passive loveable fluff balls you can ever have . Please find another vet

Jmw

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