Breeds
Great Pyrenees: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care
A Great Pyrenees is a calm, gentle, devoted giant with the instincts of a livestock guardian: patient with its family, watchful of everything else and very much its own decision-maker. Pyrs need only moderate exercise and little grooming for such a big coat, but they shed heavily, can be indifferent to obedience training and must be kept securely fenced. Here is what to expect on size, lifespan, health and daily life.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 10, 20264 min read2 sources
Great Pyrenees temperament and personality
The AKC rates the Great Pyrenees five out of five for affection with family and as a watchdog. It describes Pyrs as steadfast guardians that usually show a Zen-like calm but can spring into action with grace and speed to meet a threat.
They were bred to guard flocks from wolves and bears without human direction, so independence runs deep. Openness to strangers is three out of five: most Pyrs are polite with visitors their family welcomes, but they take their guarding role seriously.
How big do Great Pyrenees get?
According to the AKC, males stand 27 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh 100 pounds and up, and females stand 25 to 29 inches and weigh 85 pounds and up. The lush, weatherproof double coat has a long outer coat over a soft undercoat.
Their size and strength mean your car, home, fence and budget need to suit a very large dog. Keep a Pyr lean; extra weight on a big frame strains the joints, and a heavy coat can hide it, so feel for the ribs.
Great Pyrenees lifespan and common health issues
The AKC gives a Great Pyrenees lifespan of 10 to 12 years. It says the Great Pyrenees Club of America has stressed testing for elbow and hip dysplasia, eye disorders, luxating patellas, and neurological and immune-mediated disorders, and that some cancers occur in the breed. The AKC lists patella and hip evaluations as recommended tests.
VCA explains that hip dysplasia is genetic but affected by diet, growth rate and exercise, and advises keeping large-breed puppies lean rather than encouraging rapid growth. Ask breeders for parent results, and see your vet about limping, new lumps or a skip in the step.
Exercise needs
The AKC says Pyrs are not a highly active breed. As working guardians they patrol their territory and conserve energy for real threats, so moderate exercise, such as daily walks with their owner, suits them well.
They need a secure fence and a leash on walks, because a Pyr's instinct is to patrol and roam well beyond a yard. Exercise in cool parts of the day in summer, and give shade and water in hot weather.
Great Pyrenees grooming and shedding
For all that fur, the AKC says Pyrs do not need a lot of grooming, because the coat resists dirt and tangles. They do shed the undercoat with great enthusiasm, which one owner quoted by the AKC calls a snowstorm. Shedding is three out of five on the AKC scale.
Brush weekly, and daily during heavy sheds, with an undercoat rake and slicker brush. Check behind the ears and the feathering on the legs for mats. Trim nails, including any dewclaws, and brush the teeth.
Training a Great Pyrenees
The AKC is frank: Pyrs were bred to think for themselves, and although intelligent, they tend to meet standard obedience training with great indifference, performing tasks extremely slowly if they are bored. Patience and realistic expectations help.
Focus on what matters most: leash manners, a recall in a fenced area, polite greetings and calm handling for grooming and vet visits. Use rewards and short sessions. Early, broad socialization helps a guardian breed judge what is normal.
Are Great Pyrenees good with kids and other pets?
The AKC rates the Great Pyrenees three out of five with young children. Many are gentle and protective with their own family's children, but their size alone means toddlers must be supervised, and visiting children may be watched closely.
With other dogs the AKC rating is three out of five. Bred to protect livestock, many Pyrs accept the family's own animals as their flock, but new animals should be introduced slowly and calmly.
What a Great Pyrenees needs at home
A tall, secure fence comes first. Useful kit includes a strong dog harness and leash, an undercoat rake and slicker brush, heavy-duty nail clippers, a large orthopedic bed, heavy water bowls, shade in summer and durable chew toys.
Many Pyrs prefer cooler spots in the house and enjoy time outdoors with their family. Book a vet visit soon after bringing your Pyr home and ask about growth for a giant-breed puppy and hip and knee checks.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
How long do Great Pyrenees live?
The AKC lists a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Careful growth as a puppy, a lean adult weight, regular vet checks and screened parents all help a Great Pyrenees live a long life.
How big does a Great Pyrenees get?
Males stand 27 to 32 inches and weigh 100 pounds and up; females stand 25 to 29 inches and weigh 85 pounds and up, according to the AKC.
Are Great Pyrenees good family dogs?
For the right family, yes. They are calm, gentle and protective, but independent, large and heavy shedders, and they need secure fencing and patient training.
Do Great Pyrenees shed a lot?
Yes, especially when they shed the undercoat. The coat resists dirt and tangles, but brushing weekly, and daily during sheds, keeps hair under control. Individual dogs vary, so meeting the parents, or the adult dog itself, is the best guide.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
