Great Pyrenees

By Thomas Ochsner Dogs are descended from gray wolves. Dogs are not only considered man’s best friend, but scientists have long known that dogs are also man’s first friend. Dogs were the first domesticated animal. While the exact timeline of dog’s domestication is unknown, researchers at Durham University in England estimate that dogs were domesticated about 15,000 years ago. Canine Genetics According to Dr. Robert K. Wayne, a canid biologist and molecular geneticist at UCLA, modern dogs only differ from gray wolves by 0.2 percent of their DNA. This is a very small difference considering that, according to Dr. Robert K. Wayne, the wolves’ closest wild relative is the coyote, who differ from them genetically by 4 percent making dogs 20 times more closely related to wolves. While genetics clearly show the link between the gray wolf and modern dogs, thousands of years of crossbreeding make it difficult to place any one breed as being more wolf-like than another. C...

Every dog’s temperament is different. Factors that determine temperament include: The genetics of the dog — what genes did it inherit from its parents? If they had good temperaments, the pups are likely to as well. If not, the pups probably won’t either. The behavior of the mother while raising the litter. Besides contributing 50% of her offspring’s genes, the mother is the example the puppies learn from about how to be a dog and how to interact with people. There has been research to show that normal puppies removed from an outgoing mother and raised from birth by a mother who is fearful of humans also become fearful dogs, even though that isn’t in their genes. How skillfully a puppy is socialized to its world between the ages of 5–16 weeks. First by the breeder and then by the new owner, puppies must get out and see the world they are going to be expected to live in. They need to have lots of positive experiences with sights, sounds, and smells. Puppies who are kept in someone...

Unique Double Dew Claws If there’s one thing that can get Great Pyrenees lovers worked up (okay, there’s a lot of things, but just hang in with me), it’s the discussion of removing the double dew claws. Any pyr lover will tell you,  never never never  remove the double dew claws. When Mauja was a puppy, we went through the standard vet visits that every puppy goes through. As she got older and we began discussing her spay with the vet, the vet casually said, “And don’t worry, we’ll remove those while she’s under”. “Those?” I replied. “The double dew claws on her back legs. We’ll remove them while we’re doing her spay so she doesn’t have to go under twice I was confused. Everything I read about the Great Pyrenees breed stated that the double dew claws should never be removed. The rear dew claws serve a purpose and are attached by a bone, which means removing them is akin to removing a human thumb. I told the vet that we would not be removing Mauja’s double dew claw...

Looking for information on the Great Pyrenees temperament? You’ve come to the right place! The giant, majestic Great Pyrenees is immensely powerful and strong, often tipping the scales at more than 100 pounds. They can stand nearly 32 inches at the shoulder. They sport thick coats that help them blend in with the sheep they were bred to protect. But don’t let their appearance or personality fool you Despite their large, bulky presence, these dogs are often described as patient and calm. Many owners even describe them as Zen-like, which is a far cry from their rough, intimidating exterior. But how true is this description of their personality? Are these huge dogs really as laid back as some people claim? The Typical Great Pyrenees Temperament The Great Pyrenees is often described as a majestic, stately dog. They carry themselves with confidence and have a hint of gracefulness despite their large size. They are also thoughtful, vigilant, and alert. Originally b...

During your walks in the mountains, you are likely to encounter large white dogs of impressive bulk. Often called "pastous" or "patous", they mix with the flock of sheep and assure its protection. This breed, called le Montagne des Pyrénées in French and Great Pyrenees in English, is considered a part of the mountain patrimony. Used in France until the end of the 19th century, it has gradually disappeared from these mountains as the large predators -- bears, wolves and lynx -- have become rare. The natural return of wolves in the Mercantour and the reintroduction of bears in the central Pyrenees have stimulated a renewal of interest in this type of guard dog. The term "pastou" (pronounced patou) is derived from the word "pastre", meaning shepherd in old French and designates a shepherd's dog as it was understood in times past. Unlike a herd dog, the role of the guard dog is not to drive the sheep but rather to protect them from wild anim...