Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Also known as: Patou, Great Pyrenees

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog spent centuries guarding sheep flocks in the Pyrenees against wolves and bears, working independently and largely without direct human supervision. Its white coat let shepherds tell the guardian dog from a predator at a distance in the dark. An adult male can weigh up to 60 kilograms, making it one of the largest breeds recognised by the FCI, built for strength and endurance rather than speed. The thick double coat protects against high-altitude cold but demands serious grooming, especially during heavy shedding. At the French royal court in the seventeenth century, owning one was a mark of prestige. The independent streak common to guardian breeds means this dog tends to make its own decisions rather than simply follow commands. Nighttime barking, a natural part of its guarding instinct, can become an issue with close neighbours. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Pyrenean Mountain Dog: how old in human years?

65–80 cmHeight
40–60 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Dogo Argentino

FCI group: Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
FCI section: Section 2.2: Molossoid breeds, Mountain type
FCI: 137
Country of origin: France

Energy level

2/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 70–80 cm

Females 65–75 cm

Weight

Males 50–60 kg

Females 40–50 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

long, thick double coat (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Pyrenean Mountain Dog's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Pyrenean Mountain Dog's energy and exercise needs are low.

Energy level 2/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 2/5
Hunting instinct 1/5

Guarding & Alertness

Pyrenean Mountain Dog's guarding and alertness traits are high.

Guarding instinct 5/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Pyrenean Mountain Dog's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 4/5
Drooling 3/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Two in the morning, something rustles in the yard, and your Pyrenean Mountain Dog announces it to the whole village. For centuries it guarded flocks in the mountains on its own, so it keeps watch while others sleep and prefers to make its own decisions. By day it is surprisingly calm, lying for hours in the one spot that overlooks everything, making it clear that matters are in hand.

It doesn't need much exercise, a few unhurried walks a day will do, but it does need space, and a flat without a garden is a tight fit. It learns by agreement rather than obedience: patience, consistency and no shouting get you further than strictness. A recall in open country is more of a suggestion, so a fenced area is a must.

With its own family, children included, it is gentle and patient, a proper furry nanny. It is more reserved with strangers and other dogs, and it regards its yard as its personal responsibility. If you want a quiet dog that never drools or sheds, this isn't your breed; if you want a calm, dignified guardian who will keep watch at night so you don't have to, it is.

Grooming and coat

A Pyrenean wears two coats: long, coarser outer hair over a dense, soft undercoat that comes out once or twice a year in quantities that could stuff a pillow. A few times a week, comb right down to the skin, especially behind the ears, on the trousers and in the armpits, where mats form. Feel the skin as you go: under that much coat, a red or damp patch can go unnoticed for a long time. Don't clip the coat short; it protects against cold and heat alike.

Lift the drop ears once a week and look inside: clean, odour-free and not red means all is well. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a damp cloth, since tear marks show at once on white fur. And don't forget the hind feet: the breed has double dewclaws there, whose nails never touch the ground, so they need checking and trimming.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Fifty kilos of white calm grow up remarkably fast, and a body that big has its own weak spots: bones and joints, the stomach, the eyes. A Pyrenean Mountain Dog lives around ten to twelve years, and many of them can pass without drama, but the conditions below are worth recognising. If something seems different from usual, show your dog to a vet, who will decide what happens next.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Orthopaedic (bone and joint) problems

These are problems with how bones and joints develop while a young dog is growing fast. You might notice a puppy limping first on one leg and then another, getting up reluctantly, or tiring quickly on walks. A Pyrenean goes from fluffy ball to giant in a matter of months, so any limp during growth is worth showing to a vet.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)

The kneecap, a small bone at the front of the knee, sometimes slips out of its groove and the leg briefly stops bending properly. The dog may hop a few steps on three legs, then carry on as if nothing happened. In a dog this heavy, any knee trouble means a lot of load, so tell your vet if those little hops keep coming back.
Eye problems

This is a broad family of eye and eyelid problems, from lids that roll inwards or outwards to diseases of the eye itself. You might notice your dog squinting, or an eye that waters, reddens or turns cloudy. On a Pyrenean's white face, tear stains and redness show from across the room, so glance at the eyes every day and take anything that worries you to a vet.
Neuronal degeneration

This is an inherited disease of the nervous system in which nerve cells gradually die off and the dog loses control of its movements. A young dog's walk may become unsteady and its legs uncoordinated; it may sway or stumble. Pyrenean puppies are clumsy anyway, but if the clumsiness grows instead of fading, see a vet, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)

The stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself, cutting off its own blood supply. The dog is restless, tries to vomit without bringing anything up, drools more than usual, and its belly swells and turns hard. A Pyrenean is a big, deep-chested dog, and this is an emergency: if you see these signs, get your dog to a vet immediately.

Food for giant breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (60 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 555 g of dry food a day, from €30,51 a month For a neutered, normally active 50 kg dog. Calculate for your dog