Latest Great Pyrenees Frequently Asked Questions:
I just got a 9 week old female Great Pyrenees. I had an adult one for a few weeks about 25 years ago, but it ran off after someone gave it to me. It seems like he was quiet and took a beating real well from my 3 year old. Tell me if you've owned one, and what you think about them personality wise etc.
Answer:Great pyrennes are wonderful dogs. They are very protective animals and very sweet and loving. Very smart. The adult that you had and he ran off, was probably looking for some sheep or goats to take care of. That is their nature. If you live in the country your pup may do the same thing. I got a 5 week old Pyre a few years ago after the mother had been killed. We had goats and got her to protect them. That 5 week old pup had the best instincts of any Great Pyrennes dog I have ever owned. From the time we got her, she knew exactly what her job was and she did it. Our neighbors also had goats and she would go back and forth between our place and theirs so she could watch over all of them. She was a wonderful dog. We have owned several over the years. She will accept you and your family as her "herd" and be protective of you, but like I said, if you live in the country where there are goats or sheep, she may run off and find a herd to protect.
Our two outdoor great pyrenees puppies (sisters) are growing up a little and we'd like to release them from a smaller area of the yard to the larger 2 acres where our other animals live. So far, they're too eager to chase the chickens and jump on us (they're sweet, but they're only going to get bigger!). What can we do to train them to be calmer around people and ignore the chickens?
Answer:Below are two links to help you. The first is a well known website that is given to pyr owners to learn how to train their dogs to guard poultry. While the dogs in the website are anatolian, it's known to be the best website on this topic. The second link is to an excellent yahoo pyr group I recommend you join so you can ask these questions of owners of great pyrenees, and all your other questions. Victoria Stillwell, a well known dog trainer, recommends crossing your arms and looking up and away from the dog to get the dog to not jump on you. As Vicki said, maturity helps a lot, but in the meantime there are things you can do do train the pups and get them more socialized and better behaved sooner than 2-3 years of age which is when they mature. I'll add links for you to learn how to be alpha, as the jumping on you may be that your dogs don't recognize you as alpha. you MUST be Alpha Pack Leader. Your running out of time to learn how and you need the support you'll get from a group of pyr owners all of whom have been through this. You didn't say how old your pyr pups are. There's a lot more here than can be discussed in just one question, and we need to know the ages of your pups and what their job is to help you even better, so please join the group so you can keep asking questions and get more answers than you will at YA -!-
My sister-in-law's dog recently had puppies. Mother is full blood Labrador and father is full blood Great Pyrenees. My 8 year old son wants a dog so I thought we would take one of the puppies. I know they are large dogs, but I want to make sure they will do well around my 8 yr old, my 5 yr old plus 2 cats.
Answer:Owltyed gave you great advice. This is probably a great mix. Both are nice dogs. You'll have your hands full because pups are active... Be prepared. Think about training - sooner rather than later. Also know that this is a toddler with teeth. The first couple of months will be rough. Lastly, you don't have a "breeder or rescue" to return this pup to. This one really is YOURS. If you do this, I hope you plan to keep it for it's life. If you've never had a dog before.... start reading. Start researching. Even people who think they are ready for pups have no idea how hard it is. Also, I hope your yard is fenced. Kids and pups and an unfenced yard are hard to manage... The dog get's out unexpectedly.... Think long and hard. ok? This is a big decision. One that you will live with for 10 plus years.
I want a Great Pyrenees, but it seems he would do better in colder weather. I am starting to doubt getting one. It would be really upsetting if my dream dog was miserable in New Mexico weather. Yeah, I live in Albuquerque, so it's in the middle of NM.
Answer:I live in Texas and have Newfoundlands...and it gets hot here also A Pyrenees would do fine in Mexico, if your planning on it being a house dog. My gentle giant is a house dog, he does go out, but is back into the house, day and night, it is how you take care of the dog that matters. As a yard dog, no it would not do well, house dog would be great.....in air conditioning... Newfies, Pyrenees, St Bernards, have double coats, to keep them warm and cool, however, the dog should never be left out in extreme heat ever..... Even if the coat does insulate them, it is not the best thing to do, it is mostly to insulate from the cold weather, as these breeds are use to norhtern weather, not southern heat..... I run with my dogs year round, they are fine....you just have to know how to handle the giant breeds in all kinds of weather..
I'll be moving to Humboldt county fairly soon and have been wanting to get a Great Pyrenees since I can remember wanting a dog. I figure when I get there would be a good time to finally get one. The problem is I can't find any breeders in the area or anywhere in California for that matter. Google doesn't always cut it I guess :P.
Answer:don't buy from a breeder.you will only make your vet richer.
