1. Barking? 2. Smell? 3. swimmer?

by Shari
(back to Boston)

We are moving back to Boston. Our last dog died, a very independent Tibetan Spaniel. Our children are now 12 and in college nearby. We will be living downtown, near a very large park with lots of other friendly big and little dogs. I will have the time now, with older children, to devote to training and socializing (and it will be a good way to meet the new neighbors).

The Pyr looks wonderful and in many ways exactly the kind of affectionate loving dog we're all looking for this time, but I have these questions:
1. is the barking really as bad as some other sites suggest? is there anything to control or manage or train that? (We will be living in an area of townhouses.)
2. Do Pyrs have strong dog smell? (not wet--everybody smells bad when they're wet--just on an average day.)
3. We spend our summers in New Hampshire on an island. Do Pyrs like to swim? And can you really never leave them off leash? won't they ever come back?

Comments for 1. Barking? 2. Smell? 3. swimmer?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 06, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		123
by: Anonymous

Your neighbors are not going to care for you and your barking dog! They will bark at sounds that we can't hear. As adorable & lovable, they are bred to be independent & protectors. For most of the time my girl will come when called, only if it's what she wants! Very stubborn breed! Please read up on them, what you read is the truth. Amazing, smart beautiful but they have some strong traits that are instinct for hundreds of years and a loving family is NOT going to change what nature has given. I would HATE to see you give up your dog because it didn't fit into your world properly! Oh BTW she smells like a dog, but I have 3 dogs of different breeds nothing offensive. It is what you feed them, good food less smell & health issues.
Feb 06, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		123
by: Ed A from NJ

1) Yes every thing you hear about the leagiondary bark is true, it is there first defence and that is what they do. I live in a townhouse with two but my big male is the guard for the whole block the curfew on our block is when Beau comes in at night. He protect the kids and moves out strangers but when he starts barking he will test the whole complex. Beau is my service dog and very well trained but when not working wow the barking.
2) they do not smell
3) neigher of mine seem to like swimming but both are big snow lovers.
4) if you unleash them it is not that they won't come back it is how many days til they do. I don't recommend it.
I love the breed and think they are head and shoulders above the rest but they are willful and powerful. But once you own one and get an understanding you will never forget your Pyrenees.
Feb 06, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		easy as 123
by: Ed A from NJ

1) yes they are big big barkers it is there first line of defence.
2) no I don't get much smell off mine
3)all k-9 can swim, mine don't seem to like it but oh do they love snow
4) let them off the leash and you had Pyrenees, not that they won't came back bit they wander a long way.
Suggest you read is a Pyrenees right for you. On this site, also you better be a gentle strong leader with a true deadacation for training. But it you do it right they will be the last breed you own. For any and all of there short faults, possible drool , shedding and. Barking. The intelligence, love, loyalty, and Majesty is well worth the first two years of real training.
Feb 08, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Barking, Smelly, Swimming
by: Sandra Y

Pyrs like to bark, especially at moving things after dark. In addition they bark at new items in their territory. It will not be any different between a house or a townhouse. The dog gets to know what is normal for the area and will ignore (except often the mailman who comes every day). They also bark to say hello, especially to people who stop and talk to them or pat them when they are out.But you can train them to bark less, just takes lots of patience.

Pyrs do not smell any worse than other dogs, provided they are brushed/groomed regularly. Most pyrs only require a bath once or twice a year as their fur sheds mud and dirt.

some pyrs love water and will swim, some pyrs will not go into water at all. some pyrs love to wade in fast moving cold streams. There is no real answer to this, it just depends on the pyr.

Re living on an island, if it is small and you are the only ones there, Pyr would probably wander around the island OK. Pyrs generally like to wander and "protect" their territory - unfortunately they seem to have a very large territory, so they need boundaries. So they should be leashed when out walking. the further you walk, the more territory they seem to think they need to protect and will then wander further and further if let off leash.

Hope this helps.
Feb 08, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Barking? Smell? Swimmer?
by: Susan

Do they really bark a lot? Yes. And LOUDLY!
Can you train them not to? NO.
Off leash? Never dependably unless in a fenced dog park. We don't call them "dissapyrs" for nothing.
Do they like to swim? Most don't really care for swimming. Some like to wade, and a few will actually swim.
Smelly? Not so much as long as they live indoors with you and you keep them brushed.
I have lived in a city with pyrs. They need at least one good walk a day. Unless you are in a well fenced dog park they have to be on a leash because they will not dependably stay close. And you really can't leave them out in the yard by themselves for too long, because they WILL bark.....at just about anything.
Feb 10, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mixed Answers
by: Anonymous

1. is the barking really as bad as some other sites suggest? is there anything to control or manage or train that? (We will be living in an area of townhouses.)

A) Yes, it can be that bad, but it depends on the dog. Ours barks in his yard but never on walks and rarely in the house. Other people have pyrs that will bark at a leaf blowing the wrong way past their dining room window. There isn't really a way to tell which type of barker you will have, so be prepared for the worst and you may be surprised. If you have noise-sensitive neighbours though, be aware this might be a problem.

2. Do Pyrs have strong dog smell? (not wet--everybody smells bad when they're wet--just on an average day.)

A) I don't find they smell too bad at all on average. I like how little Buddy smells compared to a lot of other dogs.

3. We spend our summers in New Hampshire on an island. Do Pyrs like to swim? And can you really never leave them off leash? won't they ever come back?

A1) Swimming depends on the dog. They're not bred to be around water, so it's not innate that they'll love it. Ours will wade in until he starts losing his footing, so won't swim, I fostered one who now loves swimming (pyr x golden though), and another that was afraid to put his feet in.

A2) If you let a pyr off leash in an un-fenced area, good luck getting it back. They're bred to patrol large perimeters, and if they can't find a perimeter, they will keep going until they find one. It's not impossible for a pyr to be good at recall but it is VERY rare. They're affectionately called the "Dis-a-Pyr" for a good reason.

It is possible to keep a pyr in a townhouse (we did it fostering for about 2 years), but you will need to be aware of the barking and know ahead of time if any neighbours could take issue. We had a very dog-friendly neighbourhood and were very lucky. We also did not have a fenced yard, so any time they had to go out to pee, regardless of the weather, I was on the other end of the leash. It worked well for us, but you will need to think about it. This is a great place to start!
Feb 11, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Follow up; Really not as easy as 123
by: Ed A from NJ

It seems like everyone is saying about the something. For the most part I agree. There is one important thing, these dogs are very loyal and protective and that is the true source of the barking. The other thing they excellent at is loving their family. If you really want to train this dog to do something he is not so inclined to do give him lots of love and affection.the best way to train them is to get them to love you. The more they love you the more they want to please you. Beau was service trained by after his 2ed birthday. The longer we worked together the closer we became. Beau don't bark, roam or ever look at other dogs when working, yet he goes right into guard mode if he senses trouble. They have great dances for what you want and need. Don't paint the stubborn brush to wide you do this dogs ability a great disservice.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

Show / Hide
CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE

Breaking News

RSS

  1. Hardy

    Jul 04, 25 04:44 PM

    Hardy Location: Acton, ON DOB: Approx. January 2025 Single-family home required. Minimum 5-foot securely fenced yard. Hardy is a big white fluffy.

    Read More

  2. Courtesy - Bear

    Jul 04, 25 04:34 PM

    *ADOPTING PENDING* Bear DOB:  October 2018 Location:  Midland, Ontario Pyr/Maremma? mix Single family home with a large securely-fenced property or

    Read More

  3. Rest in Peace, my Happy

    Jun 24, 25 06:33 AM

    My wife and I needed to mail two letters, so on the cold, cold afternoon of Sunday, January 31, 2021 we got in the pickup and headed for Red Cloud, Nebraska.

    Read More

  4. My Current Pyr Meeka

    Jun 07, 25 04:21 PM

    My Pyrenees Meeka turned 14 this May!! I pray she has a few years left in her.

    Read More

  5. Courtesy Post - Willow

    Jun 06, 25 01:49 PM

    *ADOPTED* Willow has a new family where she works looking after her sheep. DOB: March 26th, 2022 Location: London Ontario Cross Pyr/Collie Obtained

    Read More

  6. Remi

    Jun 02, 25 02:36 PM

    * ADOPTED * From his family: Remi is AWESOME! We love him, he is settling in just fine. Location: Acton, Ontario DOB: February 2024 This sweet white

    Read More

  7. Lucy

    May 17, 25 12:39 PM

    *ADOPTED* DOB: January 3, 2024 Location: Acton, Ontario She will need a single-family home with a securely fenced yard of at least 5 feet. Her owner

    Read More

  8. Courtesy - Tux

    Apr 27, 25 08:30 AM

    *Unknown* DOB: December 3, 2022 Location: Mulmur, Ontario Breed: Pyr x Great Dane Single family home where he will be part of an active family. A

    Read More