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12+ Reasons Why You Should NEVER Own Great Pyrenees

Are Great Pyrenees good house dogs?

The Great Pyrenees can be a wonderful companion if you live in a suburban or rural area and lead a fairly placid life. These dogs like having quiet time in the house and enjoy a predictable, orderly routine. The guarding nature of this breed makes socialization especially important.

Are Great Pyrenees naturally aggressive?

Though Great Pyrenees are not inherently aggressive or misbehaving dogs, they do require proper training as puppies to make sure that they stay in check. Great Pyrenees puppies are known to be stubborn and quite difficult to train, which can be quite challenging for new owners.

What problems do Great Pyrenees have?

The Great Pyrenees dog, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, may suffer from minor health problems like entropion, osteosarcoma, Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), skin problems, cataract, chondrodysplasia, and panosteitis; it is also prone to serious problems like canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and patellar.

What are the pros and cons of a Great Pyrenees?

Pros

Great family dog: The Great Pyrenees makes an excellent family dog. They are affectionate and friendly with the people they love. They can also be very gentle and patient with children.

Only needs moderate exercise: A Great Pyrenees’ exercise requirements are quite manageable for most people. They will do fine with daily walks and some playtime in a fenced-in yard.

Devoted: Great Pyrenees are very devoted and loyal to their family members.

Cons

Barks a lot: Great Pyrenees can be very territorial and will bark quite loudly at strangers.

Destructive: Puppies will chew on anything they can find. This breed can also be destructive if they are left home alone out of their crate.

Heavy shedders: Great Pyrenees have thick and long hair, and they shed quite often. Be prepared to have dog hair all over your home.

Are Great Pyrenees good for first-time owners?

Great Pyrenees have earned a reputation of being “willful and stubborn” animals. Many people say that this is not a good breed for first-time dog owners. However, if you are aware of, and accept, the negative breed traits, we promise that the positive traits will make Pyrenean ownership more than worthwhile.

Are Great Pyrenees aggressive with other dogs?

Many Great Pyrenees are dominant or aggressive toward dogs they don’t know. Great Pyrenees generally get along well with other dogs and household pets. They get along with the whole family, friends, strangers and other pets.

Will Great Pyrenees bite?

Introduction. Great Pyrenees puppies are incredibly cute and fluffy, and they love to play. When that play and roughhousing turns into biting, it can be hard to discipline them. If your puppy has started to develop a habit of biting during play or for attention, it’s important to put a stop to it as soon as possible.

At what age do Great Pyrenees calm down?

Most (non-LGD) dog breeds only take about a year to 16 months to mature. Great Pyrenees generally take around 2 years, and some LGD breeds, such as the Spanish Mastiff, may take up to 4 years to mature. This means that your dog will remain a baby for a long, long time. Think about that for a minute.

Why Do Great Pyrenees end up in shelters?

Before you adopt a rescue Pyr to be a new addition to your family, there are a few things that make this breed different from others. So many pyrs end up in shelters or rescue because they have often been overbred, unsocialized, underfed and neglected on large farms or with backyard breeders.

Do Great Pyrenees need another dog?

Everyone, even your Great Pyrenees, needs a friend. Positive bonds with a companion have been shown to increase happiness and lower stress levels. Dogs are domestic, social animals who benefit greatly from interacting with others.

Is a male or female Great Pyrenees better?

Female pyrs tend to rule the show and be more strong-willed than the males, so it is often advised not to adopt two females together or a female with a strong-willed male. Of course, this varies per dog, so it is important to consider the individual personalities.

Why does my Great Pyrenees growl at me?

Expect some growling. This is normal. They can try to guard areas and this should be addressed. You should get to say who rules, and occasionally, a Pyr will try to challenge you for supremacy.

Why Do Great Pyrenees paw you?

Pretty much, he does it when he wants attention, which is all the time. Sometimes, this behavior can be sweet or funny. It can make you want to engage with your dog or make you feel more affectionate. It can also help you know when your dog needs something.

How do you discipline a Great Pyrenees?

To train a great Pyrenees, use positive reinforcement by rewarding it whenever it does something right. Avoid punishing or yelling at your dog since it will only make it harder to train. Also, try to set aside time to train your dog every day since consistency will make your training sessions more successful.

Are Great Pyrenees good off leash?

LEASHES – While some select Pyrs can be trained to hike off-leash, most Great Pyrenees can not be trained for off leash work. Their nature is to investigate all areas in their access. Therefore, most Pyrs are leash-walked for their entire lives.

Should I crate train my Great Pyrenees?

Potty training a Great Pyrenees can be accomplished at home with the assistance of a dog crate. Place the Great Pyrenees puppy in a crate during the night, when the owners are away from the home or every time the dog cannot be closely monitored. For the most part, a dog will not void where it sleeps.

Do Great Pyrenees sleep at night?

Great Pyrenees that work to protect livestock will stay up pretty much all night. So, naturally, they will sleep during the day.

Do Great Pyrenees bark a lot?

If your Great Pyrenees is prone to barking, rest assured you are not alone. Barking in this breed is very common—so common that it’s rare to see one that doesn’t exhibit this behavior.

Are Great Pyrenees diggers?

As livestock guardian dogs, they don’t behave like most breeds. They bark, they dig, they roam, and they’re very independent.

Are Great Pyrenees difficult to train?

Training a Great Pyrenees can be difficult, but it can also be easy if you start early and maintain kindness and consistency. Originally bred for guarding livestock, the Pyr is used to working and thinking on his own. This trait is still strong, whether he comes from a line of pet dogs or working dogs.

Do Great Pyrenees protect you?

The Great Pyrenees is not just a guard dog. He is a guardian. The Great Pyrenees protects the members of the flock, and he also cares for and nurtures them. His instinct is to be kind to and patient with all vulnerable animals.

Do Great Pyrenees do well in cold weather?

The Pyrenees has extra tolerance for cold weather and would be a good companion for cross country skiing. Keep him on a leash though, or he might wander off and get into trouble. The Pyrenees’ thick double coat requires approximately thirty minutes of weekly brushing.

What to Know Before adopting Great Pyrenees?

Great Pyrenees bark. A lot.
Obedience is not a priority.
Maturity doesn’t occur until about 3 years of age.
Grooming is a must.
Getting a Great Pyrenees does not ensure a great livestock guardian.

Do Pyrenees dogs smell?

While Great Pyrenees don’t have typical “doggie odor”, their smell certainly isn’t invisible to the nose.

Mary Allen

Written by Mary Allen

Hello, I'm Mary! I've cared for many pet species including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, and bearded dragons. I also have ten pets of my own currently. I've written many topics in this space including how-tos, informational articles, care guides, breed guides, and more.

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