Pair or not to pair?

by Pam
(Tennessee)

Is it necessary to raise Pyrenees as a pair?

Comments for Pair or not to pair?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 08, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
by: Donna

No, it is not. That said, make sure you socialize your dog with other dogs in the neighbourhood. They need to have interaction with their own kind.

As someone who volunteers in rescue, do get any dog you bring into your home spayed/neutered to ensure there are no unwanted dogs. The rescues and shelters are already full to overflowing. Many are put down because there is not space for them.

Do consider adopting. National Pyr Rescue has many dogs in need.

Thank you.
Jun 08, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		More on "To pair or not to pair"
by: Anonymous

We have cattle and want to add a guardian. Prefer a pup because we also have 4 young children & another small dog and want the Pyrenees to bond with them as well. We looked at a puppy recently but when the lady said we needed a pair if we were going to work them as livestock guardians (one to sleep while one watches was her recommendation) I was beginning to reconsider. She also had too many dogs on her property and I questioned if she was just trying to find a home for two vs one! There has been nothing in the literature to insist two were necessary although we have known others who had them in pairs but I assume maybe that was for breeding purposes.
Jun 08, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Working Dog
by: Donna

That's different for a working dog. You do need at least two depending on how many cattle you have. She is right in that one needs to rest while the other works. If you have 100 head, you many need a couple of more dogs.

It's recommended the opposite sex to start. Avoid getting siblings, however. They are a bonded pair then and it's difficult to separate them if one has to go to the vet, etc. When you bring one in for grooming while the other works, that would also be an issue.

Adopted dogs will also bond as easily as a pup to children if it's already socialized. Again, you can't leave pups alone with a herd until at least a year old. You might consider finding an older working dog to mentor the pup. Adopted dogs can be easily trained if they want to work.

She sounds like she could be a hoarder. I'd try another breeder. Preferably an AKC dog if you can.
May 27, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Shifts
by: Anonymous

I just adopted a pair of 6 month olds.... It's crazy at such a young age they are on diligent shifts where one sleeps all day and the other all night...

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. Gaston

    Sep 16, 25 06:09 AM

    Gaston *Foster-to-Adopt* DOB appox: 2020 (6-years-old) Location: Acton, ON Beautiful Gaston the Pyr has not had a lot of exposure to the world as his

    Read More

  2. Hardy

    Sep 15, 25 02:41 PM

    Hardy Location: Acton, ON DOB: Approx. January 2025 (we think he is older though) Single-family home required. Minimum 5-foot securely fenced yard.

    Read More

  3. Willie

    Sep 12, 25 10:00 AM

    DOB: late Sept 2023 (don’t know for sure) rescued Dec 2023 Location: Norwood Ontario Name: Willie Single dwelling home with a securely fenced yard

    Read More

  4. Whalen

    Sep 12, 25 09:59 AM

    DOB: late Sept 2023 (don’t know for sure) rescued Dec 2023 Location: Norwood Ontario Name: Whalen Single dwelling home with a securely fenced yard

    Read More

  5. Bo

    Sep 12, 25 09:57 AM

    DOB: late Sept 2023 (don’t know for sure) rescued Dec 2023 Location: Norwood Ontario Name: Bo Single dwelling home with a securely fenced yard of

    Read More

  6. Courtesy Post - Virgil

    Sep 05, 25 02:51 PM

    DoB of Virgil: 2021 (4.5 years old) Reason for rehoming this big white fluffy: Owner has passed away and he is presently living in an apartment. The people

    Read More

  7. Courtesy - Jax

    Aug 26, 25 05:51 AM

    *ADOPTED*. Jax Working Dog DOB appox: July 2020 Neutered Location: Beaverton Ontario Secure fencing of at least 5 feet is required. Good with kids

    Read More

  8. Courtesy - Pink

    Aug 26, 25 05:50 AM

    *ADOPTED* Working Dog Spayed DOB approx: December 2022 Location: Beaverton Ontario Good with kids when you are there?: Yes, great with kids with us

    Read More