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Related: Culture Forums, Support Forumsok dog people..don't know alot about this breed...need help
Went down to the shelter this morning and connected with one dog...a*great Pyrenees* pup.Ten weeks old.
I don't know a whole lot about the breed except they get BIG!
Any info would be appreciated.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)That pup will grow huge!
Beautiful breed, usually have a white coat.
Any how, wikipedia has a nice description:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees
Good luck! I love large dog breeds, and can't wait till I can finally get one.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)they let me take him out back to the play area...we clicked
He's ten weeks...41 pounds.Kind of reminds me of another rescue dog I had
I like him..but..gonna see
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)One day I will also go towards a rescue for a dog.
I can't yet though.
elleng
(130,865 posts)backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)he's gonna be a BIG boy
Denninmi
(6,581 posts)All I know about that breed is that, like St. Bernards, they are enormous and considered to be very loving. With lots of long hair.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)I'm already looking.
He's cute.Not sure a 200 lb furball is gonna be cool with the wife but he caught my eye..kinda like him
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)Miss him terribly.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)Kindly, gentle mannered, care-taker type dog. I think about the same size as a St. Bernard, but all white and pretty shaggy so regular grooming is a must to prevent mats and keep the coat white.
Sekhmets Daughter
(7,515 posts)You'll find sites devoted to telling you all about the breed... here's one such
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm
union_maid
(3,502 posts)Great, great dog. Dog Breed Info says they need a strong owner and suchlike.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm
As I said, the one I knew was a lovely dog to absolutely everyone, and he lived in an apartment in the city which is not the best enviroment for dogs like this by far.
bluedigger
(17,086 posts)They are pretty independent. I was just driving down the road and saw these two out working some cattle by themselves. One kept his eye on me while the other tended the cattle.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)I can't go by emotion...but they seem like a good breed.
Yavin4
(35,437 posts)"keep moving mister. don't even think about stealing cattle. "
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)warrior1
(12,325 posts)you have listed above. I think it's Fred.
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)was fabulous with kids, kind of like a Newfie in temperament.
Very big, very gentle and if I could have a big dog I wouldn't turn one down.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)But not real loud. Big, cool dog as folks above indicate.
Good luck with your new buddy.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)Haven't decided yet.He's cute though
Gonna wait and think about it. I do like him though
frogmarch
(12,153 posts)who lives in the country, has a herd of Great Pyrenees well, four of them, which I think qualifies as a herd when it comes to Great Pyrenees. They are all rescue dogs that she took in because their owners didnt want them anymore. Sally didnt say why. Two of them are good watch dogs and bark their heads off whenever we approach the house, but the other two, who also like to bark, are friendly and welcoming. Sally has a huge fenced-in yard for the dogs to frolic in, but they spend most of the time in the house (Sally put in a big doggy door for them), and at night they sleep on Sallys bed with Sally and her cat. It must be a very big bed.
She said that all four dogs are prone to ear infections, and shes glad that our vet gives her a big discount on their medical care. She's also glad she can save money by grooming them herself.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)I'm gonna have to talk to the wife...gonna have to think about this...But we really had fun at the shelter.I Like him
Lord the bed will get crowded again if I get him
Junior stretching...Katie kicking him...both of us trying to find a spot to sleep Katie deciding my head is a good pillow.
I do like him and we connected well...really thinking
Response to backwoodsbob (Original post)
Post removed
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,674 posts)but you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)AnneD
(15,774 posts)was sweet, gentle, good with kids, good watch dog, a bit on the slow side, and big, very big . His name was DumDum.
Phentex
(16,334 posts)My neighbors have two. Like polar bears but so lovable. One likes to go out through a window and hang out on the roof. They like to dig and easily escape the electric fence. They are great with all of the neighbor kids, not so great in other people's yards. They love to herd and have taught the cats how to walk in a group. I keep telling them to film this!
elleng
(130,865 posts)PLEASE get pics!!!
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)awesome
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)Mine had a bit of a drooling problem, which could be a concern for folks who have allergies.
Otherwise, my only comment is forget using sandwich bags for poop...you'll need quart sized bags.
Demoiselle
(6,787 posts)Usually two together. In my experience, they are calm, easy with other dogs and cats. I have five cats at the moment, and Wilbur, my only Pyr at the moment, essentially ignores them, as did his four predecessors. They're very laid back, low key, don't need a lot of exercise..easier to manage, because of their temperament, than some smaller dogs. A fenced in yard is pretty much a necessity,because they have a need to "patrol" their territory, but it doesn't have to be a big space at all...just an outside spot.
We live within the city limits in Philly and Wibur has a fairly small yard. The breed has long been used to guard sheep....often in remote locations where they don't see their human shepherd all the time...so they tend to be a bit independent. It is a common joke that a Pyrenees will only come when called if HE wants to...I've found they shed some in the summer months...but I certainly wouldn't consider that a deal breaker.
I love these dogs. My only complaint is that (like many big breeds) they don't live as long as I'd like them to. Ten years would be a great gift.
They have a rather noble demeanor...some think they're aloof, but I have no complaints.
Demoiselle
(6,787 posts)I don't think I made it clear that I absolutely love these dogs. I'm just about to start a search for a female pal for Wibur.
(If you have two, it's good to have opposite sexes.)
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)the more I'm hearing of this breed..the more I'm leaning yes.
Thanks for the info.
a la izquierda
(11,791 posts)avebury
(10,952 posts)Animal Planet. They are really great at guarding livestock. There was one couple who had a couple of GP for that purpose and they made the choice to keep their emotional distance from their dogs so that the dogs would bond with the livestock.
The puppy would probably make a great buddy. I would imagine that he would be great with children because of the guarding instinct.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)Called the shelter this morning and the great white cow has been adopted.Good for him and I wasn't sure I was ready yet anyways.The beardog got him a home
I AM however interested in the breed now.They seem like a good fit for me.Bernard or GP...either is a beautiful breed
LOVE my big huggable doggies
Guess I'm stuck with the Wonder terrier sleeping on my head until she shes a gnat or a shadow or a potato chip and rips my forehead apart running 900mph going for it.
Katies a good dog..have to say she's fun...insane but fun
Demoiselle
(6,787 posts)nolabear
(41,959 posts)BIG lugs, not quite St. Bernard size but often mistaken for them. We had one for years, and they are sweet, lovely creatures, well worth the love. And they don't drool.
And there's always the noble Leonburger, a DAMN big dog that in fact reminds me of the Budster.
And to that asshole whose comment was hidden upthread, "Fuck you AND the attitude you rode in on."
littlewolf
(3,813 posts)or a GP ... but I think the wife would like a Bernie or a Swissie better.
not quite GP size. currently have my shelly a yellow lab/Chow cross
got her from the pound and cured her from heart worm ... she is my
baby right now. but she is 12 now and moving a little slow (so am I for that matter) so we shall see.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I will try to get one of these:
They are sooooo awesome.... I have to live in a colder temperature, though it would be perfect for the miles I will log on the road.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)LOVE him
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I want one so badly.
The problem is...
1 - I don't have space.
2 - I work far away, about an hour and a half away so I can't bond with the puppy for training easily when I first get one.
3 - I don't have time for one at the moment.
--These types of dogs, the ones I want need firm guidance and training their formative years. Unless I have the time for that, it isn't fair for me or for the dog. So I can't have one yet.
Other than that, working out, doing more than 5 miles on the road when the dog grows is not a problem for me.
So yeah, one day in the far off future. It may take more than 5 years but, I hopefully will get one.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)Both were VERY territorial about their families, and were kept separated from guests.
I don't really know anything about the breed. If it tends to be territorial, then intensive socialization with the wider world is important when they are young.
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)My old dog, Abigail, was a rescue dog. She had been bought as a puppy by some people who kept her tied up to a tree in the yard (and Illinois can have brutal weather. These people fed her whenever they thought about it. When she was about two years old, they moved away and just left her still tied to the tree. She weighed about 55 pounds when she was rescued -- she should have weighed at least half again as much. I cannot imagine why anyone would treat any animal like that. For one thing, she was obviously fairly expensive -- purebred and close to show quality. (Odd thing about Pyrs -- they have double dew claws on their hind legs. In other words, they have six toes on those feet.)
Fortunately, her mistreatment did not affect her personality too badly. Abby was highly intelligent, affectionate, patient, protective, and demanding of attention. She adored being taken for walks in the park, where her favorite activity was having children come up and fuss over her. She was perfectly content to have adults do the same, but she obviously loved the children. The adults would tend to admire her and say that she was a good looking dog. The children simply showered her with affection. She knew the difference.
She also got along well with other dogs. When other dogs barked at her -- invariably small dogs -- her attitude was obviously, "Yes? What do you want?" She knew that she did not have to prove anything to anyone. It was fun to watch her with the Bichon Frise who lived next door -- a big white dog and a small white dog, each of whom obviously liked the other.
She usually slept in the corridor which connects the bedrooms in our house. I have no doubt that she was guarding us as we slept.
She was not all smiles and delight. The only time she ever snapped at anyone was when I found that she had discovered a dead bird in the back yard, and she was eating it. I went to take it away from her, and she snapped at me. She didn't bite me, but the message was clear -- if you touch this, I will bite you. She was very protective of her food, I suspect because of the starvation diet she was on as a puppy.
She was a high maintenance dog. Pyrs were bred for guarding flocks of sheep in the mountains, and have a thick double coat. They are constantly shedding, especially in the spring -- when I would brush huge clumps of fur out. Several years ago, I cut open a vacuum cleaner bag I had just removed to see what was in it. As I suspected, it was well over half dog hair. With her white coat, she showed every bit of dirt that got on her. She drooled constantly, and it formed nasty black clumps on the ruff in the front of her neck.
Still, all-in-all, the best dog I have ever known. Good looking, intelligent, affectionate. Unfortunately, she got arthritis, which became so bad that we had to have her put down about two years ago.
Shortly after Abby died, we got another Pyr, Belle, from Great Pyrenees Rescue of Central Illinois. Belle is different from Abigail. She is slightly smaller, with a lot more color on her (Abby was pure white). She does not drool, and is considerably more independent -- although she will come when she is called, which Abby would only do if she felt like it. Abby could and would eat almost anything, while Belle is quite picky. I thought that Abby was a world class shedder. Belle seems to shed twice as much.
Last year, the woman who runs the rescue prevailed on us to take another Pyr, Madison. Madison was badly abused as a puppy, and doesn't trust people. Fortunately, she gets along very well with Belle. We have managed to get her to trust us, but she will never really be outgoing like Belle is and Abby was. Odd thing about Madison -- she likes to get into bed with my wife and me, and have me rub her throat (which shows real trust). When I do that, she purrs. I've never known a dog who purrs before.
backwoodsbob
(6,001 posts)we ended up with a mountain of love Newfie called Junior.Seemed at the time and still seems like the right name for him.
He's becoming a mountain of lazy love.He watches Kate and Bengie and now Charles Bailey and just laughs.Most layed back dog I have ever seen.
Absolutely ADORE Junior.He's the Budster with an even more layed back attitude.
He's my baby.Love him