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.

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE


Breaking News

RSS

  1. Wally

    Jan 25, 22 03:55 PM

    Wally, a rescue, came to us in September 2011. The story is that he was picked up in Wisconsin, wandering, and never claimed. He ended up at GPCSO.

    Read More

  2. Courtesy Posting - Noah

    Jan 23, 22 11:59 AM

    *ADOPTED* About Available - Noah Adoption Fee: $450 English Setter / Pyr mix DOB: March 2021 Location: Texas at present but he will be moving (see

    Read More

  3. Scared of everything

    Jan 22, 22 09:29 AM

    We adopted a Anatolian Pyrenees (Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees) at 12 weeks old. She is totally afraid of everything. We've tried everything we know

    Read More

  4. Guarding Instinct?

    Jan 22, 22 09:17 AM

    My Great Pyr will not come inside any building I am working in on the farm unless I have company. If I am in the barn or machine shed, no matter how cold

    Read More

  5. Courtesy Posting - Luna

    Jan 14, 22 03:12 PM

    D.O.B. May 06, 2019 Location: Ottawa Due to her size, children over 12 only. This big white fluffy mix is good with children, and other animals including

    Read More

  6. Shelby

    Jan 08, 22 09:43 AM

    *ADOPTED* This girl has found a new home with canine companions and a family who loves her to bits. D.O.B. December 11, 2015 Shelby is a big white fluffy

    Read More

  7. Rolling

    Dec 20, 21 05:29 PM

    Why do they roll onto their backs (all the time). Thanks.

    Read More

  8. Buddy

    Dec 20, 21 09:50 AM

    *ADOPTION PENDING* DOB: November 15, 2018 Located in Erin, ON A farmer asked a good neighbour for some help to get sweet Buddy rehomed to a good and

    Read More