Sophie

*ADOPTED* This beautiful sweetie never made it to our adoptables. Her family put in an application, in came Sophie and she went right to her new family. Not surprisingly, they fell in love with her. She gets to hang out with them, watch over them, and just be loved. We couldn't be happier for her.



Her story:

Sophie is a five year-old Pyr. She lived outside on country properties but never wanted to work. Know that not all Pyrs want to watch over livestock.


She was moved from farm to farm because of this. She was constantly running away. She then came to us.

She just wanted to spend her time with her people. She has now found her spot in the world.

She has been bathed and groomed as should all Pyrs. She loves her people and loves children. She plays hard with other dogs. She eats a raw diet. She gets five walks a day on different trails and has her country property to visit but not to work. Life couldn’t be better for her.

Know that not all Pyrs want to work and that is okay.

In short, here are some of the things to be expected from a Pyr:

They are beautiful dogs with great temperaments given the right breeding, socialization, care including diet and training.

They require a good weekly grooming with a slicker brush and comb to keep them mat free and their skin healthy (hence, pain free from the pulling of mats as they move), and cutting their nails including their dew claws every couple of weeks to a month. This includes working dogs. They molt twice a year and all year round so your vacuum stays full. NEVER shave a Pyr. Their double coats keep them cool in summer and warm in winter.

Their instinct it to wander. Therefore, they require at least a 6-foot secure fence in a large yard in which they can play, run and watch over. No tie outs of any type for these guys. It can lead to aggression since they cannot fully watch over their territory. If they are out all day, as they usually prefer, they need shelter from the elements and fresh water.

They bark more than most dogs and neighbours do complain. That is a common reason for people surrendering their Pyrs (they didn't do their research). Their bark is what deters predators and it is instinct to them. That and marking their territory. To take away their bark is to take away who they are. The barking can be managed but it takes time, patience and consistency with positive-reinforcement training. Never use shock collars. This is cruel since their bark is who they are.

They dig holes in your garden to stay cool in summer.

Diet is very important in having a healthy dog. The best food is raw.

They require much socialization and handling as pups onward with many different people and other dogs.

They require positive-reinforcement training (a trainer who shows you how to work with a clicker and follow people such as Dr. Sophia Yin, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor and Bev Hurst). Pyrs, nor any dogs, take kindly to any kind of punishment. It will lead to aggression.

It's important to work with the dogs as if in a dance and you are leading. Rewards for good behaviour and redirect for unwanted behaviour. It's up to you to make them a good canine citizen. When engaging a trainer, ensure they use positive-reinforcement training and show you how to manage your dog. Never send a dog away for training. You are the one working with the dog, not a trainer.

To train a Pyr is not like training some other dogs. They are not eager-to-please and just as soon walk away from you than do as you say. They have been used for years as guardian livestock dogs because they do not require human intervention to tell them how to do their job. Lots of patience, consistency and time is required to work with them. If you want an obedient dog, this is not the dog for you.

They require regular walks, of course, so they get out and see the world. They must be leashed because they will wander. Again, because they are so good at wandering they have been used to wander with sheep as they watch over them. Do not use choker collars or pinch collars (unless you have been trained how to use one). A harness that hooks in front is easiest on the dog should he pull. How to choose what to use.

There are those in need of a home because someone didn't realize they would get so big, bark so much, leave so much hair in the house, wander, and require work.

It is very important to do your research on any breed before deciding if they are a good match for your family. Please start here:

Great Pyrenees Club of Southern Ontario

We never want to see these dogs fail so it's important that children learn how to behave with dogs and that parents never leave their children alone with a dog. Here is a link on that subject:

Best Dogs for Children