Pair or not to pair?

by Pam
(Tennessee)

Is it necessary to raise Pyrenees as a pair?

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Jun 08, 2017
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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
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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
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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.

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