The Joy and Responsibility of Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog Ownership

Owning a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog as a pet is an amazing and rewarding experience. A tremendous amount of patient, gentle, firm, persistent, assertive training is required to raise a dog that has social skills and confidence and displays the accepted Great Pyrenees temperament. Wherever you go with a Great Pyr, people will stop, look and engage you in conversation about your dog. That is where all of your hard work pays off as the dog is neither aggressive nor timid and is quite tolerant of the affection of strangers.

There are other realities. You will be reminded constantly that these dogs like to bark. It’s their job. And yes they shed… twice a year and most months in between. And sometimes they drool… especially when a favourite treat or any food is presented. Hey… let’s face it… every treat is a favourite treat to a Pyr! Oh, and don’t forget, they are big and take up a bit of space. They particularly like to lie across any doorway or entrance. Must be that guarding instinct at work.

A regular daily walk is important in establishing and maintaining a healthy bond with your Great Pyr. It is also great exercise for both of your. Let's face it… fish like to swim, birds like to fly and dogs like to walk. Pyrs generally like a set routine, even though they are up to spur of the moment events. If you establish a routine of walking your dog at 6:00 a.m. before you go to work, be ready and willing to take your Pyr for a walk at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, even though you would rather sleep in a little. It is so important to them that they will get you up! Honest!

Pyrs like to explore a lot of territory and are very apt to roam if they get loose, so a pen (at least 5ft by 10ft) and/or securely fenced yard is a must for times when you have to leave your Pyr outside. And those fences for the yard and the pen need to be at least 6 feet tall and should be constructed so your Pyr cannot dig its way out. Yes… they like to dig and those big paws mean business. Yes, a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog is a big commitment so be prepared. If you want a dog to tie on a rope and feed once a day, the Great Pyrenees is definitely not for you.

Most important, Pyrs love to be with their people, so be prepared to have your Pyr with you in the house. At home you will enjoy this gentle giant, as these dogs are very affectionate. They are the companions and protectors of their family and are very protective of the home and those that live in it. You will marvel at a Great Pyr's instinct and ability to evaluate threats and sense danger.

Do you swell with pride whenever you are with your Great Pyr in public? It is almost impossible to take a Great Pyr out in public without drawing attention isn't it?

We are always amazed how people are drawn to these beautiful dogs and are compelled to ask questions about the breed.

Every Pyr owner has wonderful stories to tell about their dog and we bet you are no exception.

Why not share your Great Pyr story with us here?

Click on the links below to see some great stories about Great Pyrenees Mountain Dogs. They were all written by other visitors to this page."

Everyone Needs A Hero  We lost our German shorthaired pointer two months ago. I kept saying I had a hole in my heart that only another dog was going to fill. My husband and ...

Kali and Mandy - Great Pyrenees Mountain Dogs  I absolutely love both of our Great Pyrenees! They have completely opposite personalities, but get along pretty good. I try to walk them every day. I ...

Gus Goes to Market  We live in the Ottawa area and we are blessed to have a Farmers' Market a short 15 minute drive away in the village of Carp. I say we are blessed because ...