Why are the Great Pyrenees white with some tan.

by sue
(Joliet IL USA)

I understand the great Pyrenees breed is a combo of the Newfoundland and the Burmese Mountain dog which are both dark in color dogs so why is the Great Pyrenees so light

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Feb 16, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Genetics
by: Donna

No, actually, the Newfie and Bernese come from the Pyr.

I'm not sure where the white came from but all dogs are man-made. Man plays with the genetics and comes up with all sorts of dogs much to the detriment of many breeds. Man worked hard to develop a white dog who would blend in with the sheep.

Here is a great show on The Science of Dogs

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/explorer/episodes/science-of-dogs/
Feb 16, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Not so
by: Anonymous

I am sorry but you information is way off. The great Pyrenees has been around much longer then ether of those breeds. Most people believe the Bask fisherman brought some Pyrenees down from the mountains to develop the Newfoundland by crossing them with Russian bear dogs. The breeding them again back to the newfie to breed Landseer. But in no way did ethier of those breeds contribute to the great Pyrenees.
Feb 17, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pyrenees colour
by: Marianne

You understand incorrectly. the Pyrenees has no connection with either breed you mention, or at least not since eveolutionary time.
they are white because they developped as sheep herd guardians which are , for the most part, white. the shepherds favoured dogs that would meld with the sheep so that they were better able to guard their charges.
Jun 09, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		History of breed
by: Anonymous

The Great Pyrenees is one of the oldest breeds in history, dating as far back as 5000 BC.

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