Tips for New Adopters

So you're considering adopting a Great Pyrenees?  Great news!

Certainly if you are an experienced Pyr owner you probably familiar with this term:

ad-dic-tive/ǝ'diktiv/causing or likely to cause someone to become addicted to it.  

I've heard a saying recently, "Pyrs are like potato chips, you can't have just one".  Equally true, although you may have had one or even two Great Pyrenees dogs in your lifetime, chances are the next one will be completely different!   Their dog personalities can range from being goofy and playful to serious and stoic.   What is it about some of us who are completely devoted to this breed while some others folks relinquish their dogs into rescue due to Pyr characteristics they can't or won't embrace?  For me it's a deep understanding of this breed and being accepting of all their unique characteristics, but I would invite other readers to weigh in below in the comments.  It's true that Great Pyrenees as puppies are very difficult to resist...fluffy butted, sweet faces, with wondering eyes that watch their owners intently.

But these angelic beings grow up to be extremely intelligent adult dogs with an essential job to perform-guarding.  As some people get a negative picture in their head from the word "guard" it's utilized in this post as this:

guard/gärd/watch over in order to protect

What should one know prior to adopting a Great Pyrenees?

1.  Great Pyrenees are bred to be GUARDIAN DOGS.

Okay, let's unpack that as there are probably many perspectives about guard dogs depending on what type of dog you are used to- so what does that mean exactly?

I see that the American Kennel Club has changed their website so the first descriptions you see initially of the Great Pyrenees is "majestic,  Zen-like calm, and graceful".  Okay, sure, absolutely!  And typically Pyrs are instinctively guardians, meaning guarding is natural.  They are bonded to a herd (goats, sheep, chickens, cats, little people, big people, various things they see as a herd...). But the guarding...what does that look in behaviors?  Their mere presence is enough to ward off predators due to their barking and displaying very aggressive behavior.  While it's important to know the rescue adopts out dogs as companion dogs only, they still have the characteristics of livestock guarding dogs.

2.  Okay, so they have INSTINCTIVE GUARDING characteristics.  Instinct is nothing you can teach nor can you entirely remove it.  Great Pyrenees are one of the oldest of the livestock guarding breeds and they are bred to be independent thinkers (National Pyr Rescue website).  This means they don't need to consult with you for any decision they make.  I've described "training" a Great Pyrenees as being able to get them to do what I want and make them think it's their decision.  Luckily for me, Whitman would much rather choose to be in the house with a yummy treat versus barking out in the yard.  GPRS does have certified trainers who are experienced in training these dogs and they are an integral part of of this rescue and contributors to this blog.  To read about ideas of how to train your Pyr check here.

Whitman checking out the mailman

3.  Great Pyrenees BARK...  A LOT.  It's part of their job; their first line of defense against predators is barking.  I belong to a couple Pyrenees social media groups and one of the most recent posts started "dear gawd what are they barking at now?"   The replies were not only hilarious but really so true; anything, everything, and nothing.  I had my first Pyrenees when I lived on a half acre in the middle of a wetlands so the barking was less of an issue.  Now I live in the city on a very small property and I am surrounded by neighbors.  Every time I get a new neighbor I approach them (if I know anything about them I may bring a basket of food or chocolates) and discuss my barking dogs straight-away.  Whitman protects the yard from the airplanes getting ready to land at the Air force base here in Tacoma as we are directly in the flight path.  He gets so worked up we have to wait to go out to do our business when there are no planes and I never leave them outside as they would bark constantly.

While writing this post and the mailman walks by, I am reminded by Whitman and Lila Jane about the other part of their guarding job described in number 1 above;  displaying very aggressive behavior, which is mainly to ward off predators.  Whitman will stand up on his hind legs slapping the window while barking and growling and Lila Jane charges the window and stamps all four feet.  Their big plume tails swish back and forth and sometimes they will kick out with their back legs!  To some people who are not familiar with these dogs, they can seem very intimidating and aggressive.

4.  Great Pyrenees dogs ROAM.  They have a roaming instinct.  Fencing is essential for Pyrs and visible, above ground fencing that is at least 5 foot high works best.  Due to this instinct, Pyrs are also not good candidates for being off-leash.  There's a saying "an off leash Pyr without secure fencing is a dis-a-Pyr" (National Pyr Rescue website).  Invisible fencing doesn't necessarily work with this breed and it won't keep other animals or people off your property; your Pyrenees will consider strange animals and people as predators and will act accordingly.

5.  Great Pyrenees are DIGGERS.  I lovingly call it "nesting" but they actually do this to keep cool and they don't seem to care if your landscaping is expensively groomed or not.  If you like your nicely groomed yard without having to navigate or back fill large craters, a Great Pyrenees may not be the type of dog for you.

One side of Whitman

6.  Great Pyrenees require routine GROOMING.  They have very thick coats and required constant grooming to avoid them becoming matted or having skin issues.  Pyrenees shed ("blow their coats") twice per year.  Another popular posting on social media is where Pyr hair can be found.  There's been images of Pyr hair in people's lunches, in their refrigerators, in cups of coffee, as well as on bugs outside in the yard.  Some Pyrenees are also known for DROOLING.  It's very common for some families to have drool towels next to food and water bowls, in their cars, outside, as well as carrying drool towels with them while they walk!

7.  Pyrenees can exhibit RESOURCE GUARDING.  I think this may be one of the characteristics that can be surprising for some people.  My first Pyrenees Nanook loved everyone and everything.  She was a true gentle giant, super mellow, she loved being groomed, and was just an all around sweet girl; until she picked up anything food-like she shouldn't have but wanted to keep, like a chicken bone on a walk.  For some reason in Tacoma, the crows are infamous for digging chicken bones out of the garbage then strewing them all over the neighborhood.  If she would happen on one of these she would immediately turned into a "Cujo" type dog and I would have no chance of extracting the bone from her mouth.  I had to be super vigilant on our walk and in the rare circumstances I missed seeing a bone before she did, I was lucky she was more than willing to "trade" for a higher value treat I carried with me like a large piece of baked chicken.  Pyrs can resource guard over all types of things they find of value including water bowls, toys, chew bones, dirty clothes, etc.

Bandit helping himself

8.  All else "Pyrenees".  Okay, if you are still reading and not going back to look at the Golden Retrievers or Labs for adoption on Petfinder, here are a few other Pyr characteristics (by no means is this a comprehensive list).  Some Pyrs COUNTER SURF.  I thought I had an advantage over Whitman as I don't eat meat.  Little did I know that he also enjoys vegetarian food when he ate an entire meal off my counter!  And due to number 7 above, all I could do is stand there and watch him.  Now all the food I'm preparing is stored in the microwave until I'm ready to put it in the frig.  Some Pyrs are FENCE JUMPERS.  We've know Pyrs who have scaled 6 or more foot fences without problem.  Pyrs can have unique MEDICAL CONDITIONS that are not inexpensive like bloat, torn cruciate ligaments, and osteosarcoma.  A new adopter should be prepared to secure pet insurance or have other resources to provide the needed medical care.

Pyrenees can be chewers if they're bored or just for fun.  And because they are so independent, Pyrs can have SELECTIVE HEARING.  Some of the GPRS volunteers commented on how much this Pyr characteristic mimics their spouses or teenagers!  Social media Pyr groups often post pictures of their Pyrs ignoring their plea to come into the house, even in some of the most inclement weather.  Luckily, testing their hearing in this case would be as easy as opening a string cheese wrapper or their favorite cookie jar.  I'm sure there are other traits that may seem odd to some people, but for us Pyr lovers, these just add to the overall endearing love we have for these dogs.

Rufus caught in the act!

If you still have your heart on adopting a Pyrenees then you are in the company of some amazing individuals.   So why are Pyrenees people so passionate about our dogs?

Pyrenees dogs are extremely INTELLIGENT.  Pyrenees are quick learners and training them can be fun.  Because they are independent thinkers they can react quickly in certain situations.  Pyr owners find their "intelligence and willfulness admirable" (volunteer) as they keep us on our feet in our attempts to "figure them out".  They are REGAL and elegant dogs gaining attention from admirers where ever they go.  I often remarked that walking Nanook through the neighborhood was like being the Pied Piper as the kids would rush out of their houses to give her a pet.  Other Pyr people get asked on a regular basis, "what kind of dog is that?"

They are extremely LOYAL dogs and can exhibit undeniable positive attitudes toward their families and properties.  Their guardian traits are beneficial even for families without livestock.  Their awareness and barking can alert their people to new sounds and activities in your area; if your Pyr has you trained well, usually a quick look out a window to see what they are barking at is enough to satisfy them until the next time.  Just their mere presence is a deterrent to would-be troublemakers helping those of us who live alone or in rural areas feel safe and secure.

Therapy dog Noah hard at work

They are SENSITIVE dogs and have an uncanny understanding for when their people are troubled or sad.  Pyrenees dogs can be an IDEAL dog for families with children (monitored by adults) as they will consider the children as their "flock" and remain steadfast companions.  Pyrenees typically get along with other dogs, cats, and other animals as they can be GENTLE and are CALM by nature.

These traits make Pyrenees amazing THERAPY DOGS.   Great Pyrenees are good natured, intrinsically kind, deeply affectionate and just being around them can make people feel better.  They are intuitively SMART and have been known to alert people to medical emergencies not detectable to humans.  Their size can be pyrfect for seated people or people in wheelchairs and their soft and silky coat makes them irresistibly HUGGABLE.  There's nothing quite as comforting as a Pyrenees nuzzling you or pressing their head against you as you're becoming "enfolded in their gentle aura" (National Pyr Rescue website).

Pyrenees people are passionate about our dogs because we understand their unique characteristics and we find their positive characteristics more than worthwhile.   If you are ready to submit an application for a rescue Pyr click here!

Marie with contributions from GPRS volunteers