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. Sophie

    Jun 09, 21 04:04 PM

    *ADOPTED* Congratulations to her new family! D.O.B. 17. February 2020 Sophie, Akbash mix, came to us after her family could no longer care for as they

    Read More

  2. Another Pyr or not?

    Jun 09, 21 10:56 AM

    20 years into our marriage my husband was diagnosed with highly aggressive cancer and he decided to retire early. We researched and got our very first

    Read More

  3. Dog reactivity

    Jun 09, 21 10:51 AM

    Maisy is a rescue, i adopted her when she was 5 and i have had her for 7 years. she was found in rural Texas and brought to chicago by Alive rescue. she

    Read More

  4. Nail Trimming

    Jun 06, 21 01:04 PM

    My wife has a 4 year old GP that has to be vet. sudated inorder to cut her nails. Lately the sudatation is no longer effective and the vet is suggesting

    Read More

  5. Thunderstorms

    Jun 04, 21 11:10 AM

    Hello, my Great Pryenees stays outside with our flocks 24/7. We have a local coyote problem and she keeps everyone safe. Since we got her in the autumn,

    Read More

  6. Heat tolerant?

    May 28, 21 10:17 AM

    How well do Great Pyrenees handle the heat? We live in Orlando, FL It's above 70 degress almost year-round and can be 95+ about 3 months of the year.

    Read More

  7. Lily

    May 27, 21 10:04 AM

    *ADOPTION PENDING* A young Akbash mix, this sweet girl came to us when her energy was just too much for her family. Make sure to always do your research

    Read More

  8. Boarding our Happy

    May 14, 21 12:54 PM

    Happy is our rescue Great Pyrenee. We got him on January 31 of this year, and he has adjusted well. We have to go to a wedding June 24 thru June 28th,

    Read More