Great Pyrenees dogs

The Great Pyrenees is an elegant, longhaired, gentle giant. Owners credit the Pyr with the ability to sense danger, thus determining the trustworthiness of individuals it encounters. A calm dog with dignity, the Pyr has guarded families and flocks in the Pyrenean mountains for centuries. Today, many Great Pyrenees enjoy backpacking, pulling carts, sleds or skateboards, jogging or spending time with family members. They retain a strong guarding instinct and will protect loved ones, especially children. Pyrs are extremely intelligent, easy to train and marvelous to live with. Their double coats can be solid white or have colored markings of badger, gray or tan. The coat sheds heavily but is easy to care for with several brushings each week. Despite the thick coat, Pyrs adapt well to all climates. Pyrs range from 25 to 32 inches in height and weigh 90 to 125 pounds, so a large house with a fenced yard is the most comfortable living space for them. Surprisingly for such a large dog, the Pyr has a relatively small appetite. This breed has a moderate activity level, and a couple of daily walks provide sufficient exercise.