If you want to adopt Pyrenean Shepherd, aka Pyrenean Sheepdog, it is good you thought of learning more about them because you are at the right place to know everything you need to know about this furry, comical, and stubborn breed!
In this article, you will learn about their personality traits and explore their everyday grooming and training essentials. So, let’s hop right into it!
Overview
Height | 15-21 inches |
Weight | 15-32 lbs |
Life span | 15-17 years |
Exercise needs | 30 minutes to 1 hour daily |
Temperament | Stubborn, Affectionate, Uncanny |
Grooming | Average maintenance |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Origin | Pyrenees mountains |
Origin of the Pyrenean Shepherd
Known and loved for its herding abilities, the Pyrenean Shepherd dogs had a long evolutionary history to become what we know today. These mountain dogs spent their early lives in the Pyrenees mountains at the border of France and Spain. They also have different names, such as Berger des Pyrénées or Pyrenean Sheepdog, that still hold relevance today.
Pyrenean Sheepdogs were bred in the 17th century and were used for their intelligence and herding abilities. Sooner or later, big organizations recognized them and preserved their heritage. Pyrenean Shepherds have always been working dogs; to this date, they are one of the most adaptable breeds. From playing dog sports and shows to being loyal companions and a cuddle partner- these dogs have it all!
Appearance of the Pyrenean Shepherd
Pyrenean Sheepdogs or Pyrenean Shepherds have unique characteristics and physical attributes that make them admirable for dog owners. Here is some light on them:
1. Size and body
It is a medium-sized dog breed that can easily fit an adult arm. For height, the Pyrenean Sheepdogs are about 15-21 inches, while they weigh around 15-32 pounds. This quality comes really handy when you have to bring the dog to markets or hold them in one arm.
2. Coat
One of the distinguishing features of the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed is their fur coat. As the breed comes in two varieties- the smooth-faced Pyrenean Shepherd and the rough-faced Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed, their coat varies as well. The latter has a dense and long coat, while smooth-faced ones have a short coat.
Both of these breeds come in several coat colors, such as fawn, black, gray, and blue.
3. Other features
When it comes to the unique features of the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed, it has to be their whiskers and bangs. Besides the fur over their bodies, these mountain dogs also have whiskers and flick hair covering their head and noses.
Personality and Temperament
Here are the temperament and personality traits of Pyrenean Sheepdogs or the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed:
1. Affectionate
The Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed is known for its affectionate and loving nature. If you adopt this mountain dog, you can expect them to climb on you with kisses as you reach home. They love to spend time with active family members and children, which makes Pyrenean Shepherds an excellent family dog.
2. Energetic
The word lazy is not in the dictionary of Pyrenean Shepherds! You would often see them hopping around and taking all the attention from everyone around them. Their high energy levels also make them easy dogs to train, as Pyrenean Sheepdogs are always up for a rigorous training session.
3. Protective
Another important personality trait of these dogs is their protective nature. The Pyrenean Shepherds or Pyrenean Sheepdogs are highly protective of their belongings and owners. You should not underestimate them for their size, as they would not step back from confronting large dog breeds like Barbets, too!
4. Bark quite a lot
A drawback of adopting a Pyrenean Shepherd is their barking! Due to their high energy levels, they can develop behavioral problems like barking, humping, biting, etc. You will need to direct their energies in the right direction. Another way to fix barking issues is to teach them obedience with the help of positive reinforcement techniques.
5. Uncanny and comical
One of the most attractive points about Pyrenean Shepherd’s personality is their mysterious character vibes. Although they are often highly comical in their expressions and wiggles, sometimes they pretend to play mysterious. This uncanniness makes them even more desirable for dog owners.
6. Stubborn
Last but not least, many dog owners say the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed is stubborn. They often have “I’ll get what I want” kind of behavior, which can be assertive and annoying to deal with. Their attitude sets them apart from other breeds but also makes them not-so-suitable for first-time dog owners.
Pyrenean Shepherds are either comical or fur-ociously clever. There is nothing in between!
Grooming Needs of the Pyrenean Shepherd
As you can tell by the looks, Pyrenean Sheepdogs have quite a furry coat that needs quite a lot of attention and grooming. This mountain dog is definitely a moderate-maintenance breed, which is why, here, we have mentioned the basic grooming essentials of the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed:
1. Brushing
As they have a soft furry coat, you should use the correct dog supplies for grooming Pyrenean Sheepdogs. The two types, smooth-faced Pyrenean Shepherd and rough-faced Pyrenean Shepherd dog breeds—have different brushing needs. Depending on the shedding levels, you should brush them twice or thrice a week.
Here are the grooming supplies you can use for brushing the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed:
- A slicker brush for removing tangles in rough-faced Pyrenean Shepherd
- A soft bristle brush for the smooth-faced Pyrenean Shepherd
- Grooming mitt
- Grooming scissors for stray hairs
2. Bathing
Another grooming essential is to bathe these furry buddies. Fortunately, most dog breeds do not have to bathe that often. In the case of Pyrenean Sheepdogs as well, bathing them once in two to four months would be more than enough. Also, if your dog looks dirty or smells bad, you can give them a warm bath.
Here are the grooming supplies you can use for bathing the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed:
- Dog-friendly shampoo
- Dog-friendly conditioner
- Dog-friendly soap
- Ear covers
- Towels
3. Cleaning
Besides bathing and brushing, keeping your dog’s skin shiny and clear is also important. We recommend that you slather your dog in coconut oil every once in a while. It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which help to keep dog skin infections free. Besides, it would be best to regularly clean their ears, eyes, and paws to avoid ear wax, eye boogers, and dirt build-up.
Here are the grooming supplies you can use for cleaning the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed:
- Clean damp cloth
- Dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste
- Cotton balls or pads
Exercise and Training Needs
The Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed needs at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of daily exercise. You can divide it in two halves or maybe even skip 15-20 minutes occasionally. This is one of the best qualities of this breed! But because they are highly energetic, you should direct their energies into quality activities. Here is a “training essential” guide for you:
1. Mental stimulation
As Pyrenean Sheepdogs are known for their intelligence, wittiness, and creativity, it is your duty to encourage them. Enrolling them in agility training that challenges them physically and mentally would be best. Dog puzzles, scent & track games, or hide& seek work really well to stimulate these dogs mentally.
2. Daily walks
You should take Pyrenean Shepherds on walks for at least 20-30 minutes daily. This will help them to stay alert and in touch with their surroundings. This is highly important to keep the dogs busy, as an empty mind is a devil’s workshop! The Pyrenean Sheepdog will sniff around, bark at other animals, or even play hide and seek with squirrels. These good behaviors should be encouraged.
3. Basic obedience training
Lastly, learning basic obedience is necessary for not just the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed but all other breeds. You should teach your dog leash training and how to respond to the commands. You can use the dog names to grab their attention and use positive reinforcement techniques to motivate them.
Final Thoughts
Even though the Pyrenean Shepherd dogs are compact and medium-sized, they are unsuitable for apartment living. Their energy levels and hopping around can be challenging if there is insufficient space. This is why if you are an experienced dog owner with access to an open space—the Pyrenean Shepherds are all you need!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pyrenean Shepherds are good family dogs as they have the right temperament and personality for it. They are friendly and affectionate, which is why they gel very well with children and other family members. Although the Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed likes to be around active family members.
Pyrenean Shepherds are known for their barks. If you have an ick for dog barking, this dog breed might not be for you. If you want less barking, you should look for other dog breeds like Basenji or Azawakh.
The common dog problems with the Pyrenean Shepherds or Pyrenean Sheepdogs are- hip dysplasia, Epilepsy, heart problems, eye infections, and arthritis. Taking them for regular healthcare checkups would be best to ensure your dog’s best well-being.
Unfortunately No. Pyrenean Shepherds are not hypoallergenic and can shed quite a lot. During seasonal changes, you should be extra focused on grooming and brushing to remove loose hair and dander.
No. The Pyrenean Shepherd dog breed is not aggressive but can be highly protective of its owners and belongings. Unless they sense a threat, they are generally not aggressive. However, you should be lucky to have their energy levels and aggressive smooches!