Great Pyrenees "Quirks"

• If you're a jogger and you want a companion to accompany you on those long marathons, this is NOT the dog you want.  Pyrs are not long-distance runners and tire more readily than other breeds.  Our Lilly loves to go for brisk walks, but when she gets tired she will just stop - and lay down, and it's hard to do much with a head strong 100 pound pooped pooch.
  
  

• Light sleeper?  Or do you live in a close-in neighborhood or apartment complex?  If so, you may want to think about a different breed.  Great Pyrenees are like teenagers... boisterous and nocturnal - and they mind just as well as teenagers.  They're barkers!  Because they are such good watchdogs, Pyrs bark at everything and when they are young and everything is new... everything merits a bark.  More about barking, go here...
  
  They find their voice early.  I remember thinking how cute it was when our Lilly first barked.  It seemed that within days she developed a deep bark (and a growl) - and decided she liked using it.  Obviously, this can be a problem in a neighborhood or apartment. 
  
  

• Climate?  I know that people all over the country own Great Pyrenees, but these are a "Northern breed" of dog and they prefer cold weather.  Even as a puppy, our Pyr would stretch her pink belly on the snow and sleep in single digit temps!  Lilly LOVES to roll in the snow, and sleep there when possible.
  
  

• Inside companion?  Pyr's make great ranch and farm dogs, they like to patrol and make the rounds (barking at everything - and nothing).  They prefer to be outside - in any weather.  This is not a good choice for a "house pet" that will be confined for long periods of time.  They need room to roam!
  
  

• Gentle Giants?  Great Pyrenees are called "gentle giants" and the name fits them well as it relates to their interaction with children and cats, etc.  But don't confuse the word "gentle" with docile or wimpy.  These are very strong dogs and a leisurely stroll is something that is a rarity.  This dog can drag you down the road if it sees or smells something it wishes to pursue.  If I were 65 years old with a hip replacement, I'd not want to take a Pyr for a walk. 
  
  

• Apartment dweller?  If you live in an apartment, it is our opinion that this is not a good dog for you.  Although some people do live in an apartment with a Pyr, we don't think this is fair to the dog.  These are BIG creatures and like any dog, they like to romp and run.  An apartment does not provide an ideal setting for such a pooch.  Pyrs prefer to be outside - in ANY weather and the colder the better.  We built an outside kennel for our dog and fenced in a large play area for her.

Okay, now that we've shared all the reasons you do not want to own a Great Pyrenees, the rest of this website is dedicated to all the things that make the Great Pyrenees the greatest dog you can adopt.  If you would like to know anything about us, go here.

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