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The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, known as the Great Pyrenees in North America, is a large breed of dog used as a livestock guardian dog. It should not be confused with the Pyrenean Mastiff, nor with the Pyrenean Shepherd.
The Great Pyrenees is a very old breed that has been used for hundreds of years by shepherds, including those of the Basque people, who inhabit parts of the region in and around the Pyrenees Mountains of southern France and northern Spain. One of the first descriptions of the breed dates from 1407, and from 1675 the breed was a favorite of The Grand Dauphin and other members of the French aristocracy. By the early nineteenth century there was a thriving market for the dogs in mountain towns, from where they would be taken to other parts of France. It was developed to be agile in order to guard sheep on steep, mountainous slopes.
Males grow to 100–130 pounds (45–59 kg) and 27–32 inches (69–81 cm), while females reach 85–110 pounds (39–50 kg) and 25–29 inches (64–74 cm).On average, their lifespan is 10 to 11 years.
The weather resistant double coat consists of a long, flat, thick, outer coat of coarse hair, straight or slightly undulating, and lying over a dense, fine, woolly undercoat. The coat is more profuse about the neck and shoulders where it forms a ruff or mane, which is more pronounced in males so that it may fend off wolf attacks. The longer hair on the tail forms a plume. There is also feathering along the back of the front legs and along the back of the thighs, giving a 'pantaloon' effect. The hair on the face and ears is both shorter and of finer texture.
This dog has a medium sized, wedge shaped head with a slightly rounded crown. The eyes are dark brown and almond shaped. The body is slightly longer than it is tall.
The main coat color is white and can have varying shades of gray, badger {mixture of gray, tan and black hairs (black should not go to the root of the hair)}, red (rust), or tan around the face (including a full face mask), ears and sometimes on the body and tail. As Great Pyrenees mature, their coats grow thicker and the longer colored hair of the coat often fades. Sometimes a little light tan or lemon will appear later in life around the ears and face. Being a double-coated breed, the undercoat can also have color and the skin as well. The color of the nose and on the eye rims should be jet black. Grey or tan markings that remain lend the French name, 'blaireau', (badger) which is a similar grizzled mixture color seen in the European badger. More recently, any color is correctly termed 'Blaireau'.
One singular characteristic of the Great Pyrenees is the unique double dew claws on each hind leg.
Source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees
Source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees
Additional Information
Dog breed | Chien Des Montagnes Pyrenees |
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