Pyrenean Mountain Dog: The White Giant
Today we are talking about a dog breed that amazes as soon as you look at it. The Pyrenean mountain dog surprises with its large size, but also with its deep protective instinct. If educated correctly, she can make a great companion animal. Discover this fantastic breed in the following lines.
A brief history of the Pyrenean mountain dog
Its origins are quite remote, in fact fossil remains have been found that date back to a period prior to the Bronze Age. The shepherds of the Pyrenees area have employed this breed as a herding dog for several centuries. It will be from the medieval era, however, that the Pyrenean mountain dog begins to gain some fame.
French castles and grazing lands have been guarded by this dog breed for hundreds of years. It will be the French king Louis XIV to raise this breed to the maximum, naming it royal dog of the French court. Following this, his demand spreads like wildfire to the rest of the country, and his use, not just as a herding dog, began to spread.
Nowadays, he is much more prized as a companion dog and is particularly popular in countries like Australia and the United States of America.
General features
We are in the presence of a dog that belongs to the Molosser group. This means that its size and its musculature predominate over the rest. The patou, another name by which this breed is known, however, has a slightly more stylized line than the other molossers. Generally, the males reach 70 centimeters in height, while the females 60 centimeters.
As for the weight, this varies between 50 and 60 kilograms in males and between 40 or 50 kilograms for females. This, coupled with its height, makes it one of the largest dog breeds we can find today. Its powerful and compact legs allow it to move on mountainous or steep terrain.
Also noteworthy is its thick hair, which can be long and curl in certain areas of the body such as the tail or neck. Its thick coat is whitish in color, although totally white Pyrenean mountain dogs are rare. In most cases, in fact, some areas of the hair have slightly yellowish, brown or greyish tones.
Temperament of the Pyrenean mountain dog
The herding and guard dog character makes the patou a loyal and protective dog. In fact, he will not hesitate to protect his family members, which is why it is common for him to bark in the presence of strangers. Another typical characteristic of this breed is its independence, which it has acquired over the centuries due to its solitary life as a guardian of the flocks.
This independence, coupled with his notorious stubbornness and tendency to dominate, can be a problem when trying to educate him. The ideal is to train them from an early age and, moreover, do it firmly and constantly. Otherwise, unpleasant situations can arise as the dog grows. Hopefully, we will enjoy the company of an affectionate, calm and very sweet dog with the little ones of the house.
Basic care
As for its health, the Pyrenean mountain dog is not an animal that requires special care. Perhaps the most important concerns the hair that must be brushed continuously due to its abundance and frequency in moulting.
It is not a particularly active dog, but every now and then you have to give it a long walk and let it loose. It is good to keep in mind that it is a large dog and therefore, generally, it does not like closed spaces. This breed is ideal if you live in a rural or very open area.
