Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees has serviced mankind for many centuries. They are known in England as they Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Remains of this breed have been found in the fossil deposits of the Bronze Age, which dates his appearance in Europe between 1800 and 1000 BC It is believed that they originally came from Central Asia or Siberia and followed the Aryan migration into Europe. Decedents of the mastiff-type whose remains are found in the kitchen-middens of the Baltic and North Sea coasts in the oldest strata containing evidence of the domestic dog, and which appear in Babylonian art about the close of the third millennium BC in the size and general appearance resembling the Great Pyrenees.

It was the isolation of the lonely mountain pastures that they developed the inherent traits of devotion, fidelity, sense of guardianship, and intelligent understanding of mankind. These were the days when packs of wild animals roamed the mountain slopes freely they were the official guardian of the flocks.

With the diminution of the wild beasts in the Pyrenees, the breed seemed destined to extinction. They were eagerly sought after by breeders in continental Europe and great numbers were exported from France. Thanks to the efforts of some of the sportsmen, a well as to the fact that the dogs were of use about the peasants' farms in winter, they were bred in increasing numbers.

Males should be 27-32 inches tall, females 25-29 inches. They should weigh between 85-100 pounds. They should be white, or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown, or varying shades of tan. They are confident, gentle and affectionate dogs. They are very territorial and protective of their family, though generally they are very quiet dogs.

Beware of slick surfaces and highly polished floors as footing for puppies and young adults. They do not give good traction. If puppies are allowed to play on such surfaces, they may slip and hurt themselves, possibly causing an injury, or they may develop "sea-legs" which will prevent their proper development.

Health issues include bloat, bleeding disorders, hip dysplasia and eye problems.