The Great Dog of the Pyrenean Mountain, The Great Pyrenees
This amazing dog called the Great Pyrenees is a well-known large breed that is next of kin to the St. Bernard and Newfoundland and has a large number of following even from hundreds of years ago. This dog has been to a lot of terrific adventures ranging from nomadic travels, royal living, battlefield struggles and herding tasks. Primarily, this dog is used for flock guarding tasks and even to this day, it is recognized as a working dog plus a gentle companion of the family.
The Great Pyrenees or also known as the Pyrenean Mountain dog was first discovered roaming the mountains of the Pyrenees which divides the vast topography of Spain and France. It is thought to be a very ancient breed and was found as the companion of the Basque people, a group that inhabited the different areas of the Pyrenees mountain range in the south of France and north of Spain. During these times, this breed was largely used as a livestock guard and family protector.
From one enchanted French aristocrat, the Great Pyrenees’ fame spread all throughout the royalties of Europe and stayed so even after the next decade. In the middle ages, it is said that the Great Pyrenees was the trusted guard of castles particularly the Castle of Lourdes. For a very long time, this breed became the favorite pet of countless royalties and one famous owner of it is the French royal court.
Thousands of years ago, the large breed ancestors of the Great Pyrenees are said to have roamed the mountainous parts of Asia. Together with their nomad masters, they traveled across Asia going westward until they reached the Pyrenees. It is in this place that the modern Great Pyrenees fully developed to be the breed that many families love so today.
This breed is said to have descended from the following breeds: Hungarian Kuvasz, Maremmano-Abruzzese, Italian Maremma Sheepdog, Turkish Akbash Dog and Polish Owczarek Podhalanski. When World War II broke out, the Pyrenees dog was used to carry artillery over the Pyrenean Mountains to and fro Spain and France. Today, there are some dogs of this breed that are being used still as flock guards and some are used as avalanche rescue dogs, cart-puller, sled dogs, ski trip dogs, and favorite companion and guardian of families.
The Great Pyrenees is every bit an outstanding guardian dog because it possesses imposing qualities and reliability. This breed is particularly wary of strangers, both animals and men, but loves to be around non-canine creatures such as cats. If not provoked, this breed is placid, well-mannered, gentle and playful especially with little children.
Inside the home, the Great Pyrenees is loving, loyal obedient and kind. Sometimes, just to show its love, it sacrifices itself for the sake of its human family. This breed does not do well with suspicious people but around friends and family, it is gentle and playful.
The Great Pyrenees is well-known for its long, luscious and white colored hair. The white coat is tarnished with gray, red or tan markings and this is considered as the standard, additionally, the snout and the eye rims should be jet black. The hair is also double coated and that the outer part is straight or slightly wavy, coarse and long while the inner coat is soft and thick.
