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Pyrenean Mastiff

gentle / brave / noble

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

Males 30-31 inches

Females 25-30 inches

Weight

120-240 pounds

Life Expectancy

10-13 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    100% 100%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    60% 60%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    40% 40%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    20% 20%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    100% 100%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    60% 60%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    40% 40%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    20% 20%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

This livestock guardian, a centuries-old, unique breed from Spain’s Pyrenees Mountains, kept herds safe from wolves, bears, and robbers. Today, many families have discovered the delight of owning a kind and loving, yet independent Pyrenean Mastiff, even though it is still a reliable protector.

 

The Pyrenean Mastiff is peaceful, dignified, and extremely clever. It also gets along well with people. He never shies away from strangers and is brave and proud of himself in the process. He is polite and mindful of his greater strength while interacting with other canines. He is not a persistent barker, but he will do his duty to warn when strangers or animals approach. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a guardian breed that loves and guards all living things, both human and animal because it has a very low predation drive. They adore kids, welcome visitors, and only feel the need to provide protection when there is a genuine threat.

 

However, all that affection can become a bit messy since, like any mastiff, they drool a lot when they are around heat, food, or water.

What To Expect When Caring For a Pyrenean Mastiff

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

All that adoration, though, can become a little messy because mastiffs tend to slobber a lot when they are near heat, food, or water.  
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Hip and Elbow Certification

Grooming

Bathe your Pyrenean Mastiff as needed, while fewer baths are preferable to preserve his coat's natural oils. The coat will stay mat-free and fresh if brushed at least once every three days. Trim any dewclaws from the nails and any matting that may develop between the toes. Due to its double coat, the Pyrenean Mastiff sheds twice a year. It does not normally shed much hair outside of those times. When you are shedding, use a rake to help remove any loose hairs.

Exercise

Bathe your Pyrenean Mastiff as often as necessary, while fewer baths are better to protect the natural oils in his coat. If the coat is brushed at least once every three days, it will remain mat-free and fresh. Dewclaws from the nails should be filed off, as should any matting that may form in the space between the toes. The Pyrenean Mastiff sheds twice every year because of its double coat. Outside of those times, it typically does not shed a lot of hair. Use a rake to help collect any stray hairs as you shed.

Training

Nutrition

The Pyrenean Mastiff should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Any diet should be suitable for the age of the dog, whether it is a puppy, adult, or senior. A high-quality, high-protein, large puppy kibble with calcium at.8 to 1.5 and phosphorus at.6 to 1.2 is what some breeders advise keeping puppies on. If the diet doesn't contain 1400 mg/kg of glucosamine and 1200 mg/kg of chondroitin, they advise supplementing.   Males and females both continue to eat puppy food until their second year of life. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.

History

While the origin of the Pyrenean Mastiff is not clearly known, it is generally accepted that the breed is descended from molosser dogs brought from Sumeria and Assyria to Spain by the Phoenicians some 3,000 years ago. Due to the remoteness of the various areas of the Pyrenees Mountains and the rest of the region now known as Spain, the original molosser dogs developed divergently by region into several livestock guardian breeds, the Pyrenean Mastiff, the Spanish Mastiff, and the breed most closely related to the Pyrenean Mastiff, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, which is also known as the Great Pyrenees.

In the early middle ages, the area that would later become Spain was split between the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon in the north, and the Muslim-controlled areas of the south. In the wide and flat area of Castile, the smooth-coated Spanish Mastiff was developed to protect flocks of sheep that traveled over long distances. In the Aragon region, the less homogeneous Pyrenees Mountains developed more rugged and longer-haired livestock protectors. Following the Trashumante, or formal mass migration of flocks to and from grazing grounds established by the Visigoth King Eurico in 504 A.D, herds of sheep 1,000 strong accompanied by a shepherd and five mastiffs would make the migration through the bear and wolf-infested Pyrenees Mountains and foothills. Named for the area of their Trashumante source, the Navarran Mastin (also Mastin of Navarra) and the Mastin d’Aragon, these livestock protectors were highly esteemed, and as such, received the same food allotments as the shepherds. They also wore a carlanca, a spiked collar that protected their necks while engaging wolves and bears. This migration lasted well into the 18th century.

In 1659, Mazarino, the Regent of France, and Phillippe IV, King of Spain, signed a decree splitting ownership of the Pyrenees Mountains with the northern area becoming French territory and the Southern area remaining Spanish territory. The northern, or French, further refined their mastiff, developing a white, longer-haired breed, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, that possessed a more refined head and stature. The Pyrenean Mountain Dog enjoyed widespread recognition due to its popularity and strong breeding programs, while the Spanish mastiffs in the south continued their work as livestock guardians and remained more massive, primitive, and less homogenous.

In the 1930s and ’40s, the disappearance of the wolf and bear from the Pyrenees Mountains, the new reliance on rail to transport sheep, the Spanish Civil War followed by World War II, and a scarcity of food almost led to the total loss of the Mastiffs of Aragon. Being very large and expensive to support and with no further purpose besides guarding livestock, these noble dogs became almost extinct.

With the return of a pack of wolves to the Aragon region in the 1970s, there was once again a need for these dogs, now known as the Pyrenean Mastiff. At the same time, a small group of enthusiasts for this breed set to work reviving it, finding approximately 100 specimens of the breed and then narrowing it down to the best 30 that most closely resembled the standard and that displayed the proper temperament and excellent health.  Their breeding program resulted in today’s Pyrenean Mastiff which is known for its great size, strong build, graceful movement, and its gentle, non-aggressive, and even temperament. Yet the Pyrenean Mastiff still possesses great fighting skills, honed through centuries of protecting livestock, but will put them to use only when pressed to meet aggressive behavior to protect itself, its people, its flock, its pack, or its home.

While still relatively rare, the breed has since spread throughout Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, Japan, and on to Mexico, the US, and now Canada, with somewhere between 4,000 and 6,000 worldwide. They are FCI approved and are shown successfully in the FCI-affiliated clubs of most of these countries.
– Rafael Malo Alcrudo, El Mastín del Pirineo” – Guara Editorial- Zaragoza – 1982