About the Breed

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Shiresoak Pyrenean Mountain Dogs

What should I know before I get a Pyrenean?

Pyreneans are a giant breed that have been bred over thousands of years for their guarding skills, most people buy a breed of dog because they like the way they look, and Pyreneans are a most impressive and beautiful breed.

The French farmers bred Pyreneans to guard their flocks and later they were employed to guard the Chateaux's of the nobility they were bred to be independent, self sufficient and to think for themselves, they should be calm and self assured and be ready if the time arises to defend their charges to the end, whether they be sheep or people.

The novice owner needs to be aware of what they are taking on.. They are stubborn and not very obedient and usually have to be exercised on a lead, as they are prone to selective deafness which can get them and you into a lot of trouble, as being such a big dog people are frightened of them before they do anything. They are first rate guards and develop the guarding instinct naturally, if you take on a Pyrenean you will have a guard dog. Which may mean a good deal of barking, on the other hand it would be a very brave burglar that entered their territory, but the people that they get know are usually greeted with much affection.

They have to be socialized from an early age to learn that humans and especially children are not a threat. If this socialization is neglected you may have potentially a very dangerous animal that is suspicious of everything and everyone. A properly socialized Pyrenean learns to be friendly and is a joy to own, you will never be short of people to talk to when you have a Pyrenean with you, they are people magnets.

As puppies they can be very destructive, a little chew to them can be a major damage to furniture etc. Plenty of chewy's and toys helps to distract them and obviously do not leave them alone anywhere, where you have anything valuable until you can trust them.

Pyreneans prefer the out doors which for them ideally means they would like all the doors to your house open for their convenience, allowing them immediately  to rush to the perimeters should they need protecting from intruders.