The Great Pyrenees can be a
wonderful pet in the right situation, but this breed
will need a lot of room to move around since it is
one of the larger dogs. A large, fenced yard would
be ideal to give the Pyrenees enough exercise to
keep it fit and trim. It may be best not to allow
your Great Pyrenees to run free away from home or in
the park because this is a very protective animal
that was bred as a guard dog for both sheep and the
home. In fact, a Great Pyrenees can be aggressive in
a situation when it feels any threat.
With that in mind, you should
give your pet plenty of exercise and include
training and games in the daily routine, to keep it
healthy. The Great Pyrenees can be sensitive to heat
in warmer weather because of the thick, soft
undercoat and coarse outer coat so be sure to keep
plenty of water available and let the dog rest in
the shade when out of doors.
The Great Pyrenees, like many larger, purebred dogs,
is prone to hip dysplasia, a degenerative joint
disease related to arthritis. As you visit breeders
when you are looking for a puppy, be sure to ask
about this and make sure that any young dog you
choose has been OFA certified as free from the
symptoms that lead to hip dysplasia. If this
develops later in the dog’s life, it can lead to
pain and restricted movement. There are some
medications available to help with the symptoms, but
if the condition becomes serious, surgery may be the
only answer other than humane euthanasia
Proper diet and prevention of medical problems is
always the best course to follow. We recommend that
you talk with your breeder and your veterinarian
about the right way to feed your Great Pyrenees. You
may be able to follow the breeders program from the
time your dog is a puppy until he grows to full
size. Many experienced owners feed only lean, fresh
meats and some vegetables, similar to what they
bring home from the store for themselves. However,
there are some limitations to what many dogs can eat
on a regular basis as well.
Dogs are often allergic to grains in low-cost
commercial food, causing the development of serious
breathing and skin problems over time. Larger dogs
are also prone to bloat, in which stomach contents
become trapped and do not pass through the
intestines. This specific condition often leads to a
serious medical situation for your Great Pyrenees.
For this reason, we suggest feeding smaller amounts
multiple times during the day to prevent the dog
from gulping large amounts of food.
One area that some owners pay attention to with the
Great Pyrenees and other dogs of similar build is
the ears. Cleaning the ears on a regular basis and a
brief inspection occasionally can head off many
problems. For instance, wax buildup can be annoying
and uncomfortable for the pet, but things such as
bacteria and yeast can cause more discomfort and
even some pain if not taken care of properly.
The Great Pyrenees, being such a large dog, does not
generally live longer than about 10 years. Keep in
mind that with proper feeding and regular exercise,
you can expect to have years of enjoyment with this
impressive, beautiful breed.
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