It is very plausible that these large white
dogs arrived in the Pyrenees Mountains
with their shepherds about 3000 BC. There
they encountered the indigenous people of
the area, one of whom were the Basques,
descendants of Cro-Magnon Man.
In the isolation of the Pyrenees
Mountains over these millenniums, the
breed developed the characteristics that
make it unique to the group of flock
guardian dogs in general and the primarily
white members of the group.
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the
state of the breed had deteriorated because
there were very few natural predators left
in the mountains and the practices of
many unscrupulous breeders selling to
native tourists through the region. In 1907
Monsieur Dretzen from Paris, along with
Count de Bylandt of Holland and Mon-
sieur Byasson of Argeles-Gazost, formed
the Club du Chien des Pyrenees (CCP),
also known as the Argeles Club in Argeles-
Gazost. Together, they combed the moun-
tains for a group of “faultlessly typical”
specimens. Monsieur Dretzen took these
dogs back to his kennel in Paris.
Also in 1907, the Pastoure Club
at Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France,
was organized to perpetuate interest in the
breed. Each club wrote a breed standard.
After the decimating effects of World
War I, the breed’s numbers and quality
had been severely compromised. A few
dedicated breeders, headed by Monsieur
Senac Lagrange, worked to restore the
breed to its former glory. They joined
together the remnants of the two former
clubs and formed the Reunion des
Amateurs de Chiens Pyreneans, a club
that still exists today. It was this club that
was responsible for the breed standard
being published in 1927. This standard has
served as a basis for all current standards
for the breed. After World War II, it was
again Monsieur Senac Lagrange who took
the lead in getting the breed back on its
feet from the devastating effects of the
German occupation.
In 1931, Mr. and Mrs. Francis V.
Crane imported several dogs and seriously
launched the breed in North America with
the founding of Basquaerie Kennels in
Needham, Massachusetts. Their lifelong
effort on behalf of the breed provided
the breed with an atmosphere in which it
could thrive and prosper. They imported
important breeding stock out of Europe
just before the continent was closed by
World War II.
The American Kennel Club accorded
the Great Pyrenees official recognition in
February 1933. Beginning in April 1933,
separate classification began for the breed
at licensed shows.
Living with the Breed
Today, the Great Pyrenees is a work-
ing dog as well as a companion and family
dog. Most never see a show ring, but they
are trusted and beloved members in homes
and may function as livestock guard-
ian dogs on farms and ranches. They are
very social dogs in the family, but can be
wary of strangers in the work environment
(
this includes the home). They adapt eas-
ily to other situations such as dog shows
and make extraordinary ambassadors for
the breed in settings such as hospitals and
nursing homes. They have a special ability
to identify and distinguish predators or
unwelcome intruders.
The very traits that make Great Pyre-
nees such a unique breed and “Pyr people”
find so admirable can also make living
with them a challenge. Great Pyrenees are
livestock guardian dogs. They were bred to
be left alone in the mountain valleys.
They are guard dogs by instinct, not by
training, and they cannot be expected to
welcome uninvited intrusions onto your
property. They are not “attack” dogs, but
can be very intimidating to the surprised
visitor. It is the owner’s obligation to main-
tain their Pyr so that his guarding instincts
can be exercised in a responsible way.
The Great Pyrenees’ basic personality
is different from most breeds, since most
breeds were bred to take commands from
people. Pyrs were bred to work on their
own. They are intelligent, sometimes will-
ful dogs. They have minds of their own
and are not easily obedience trained. Many
are almost cat-like in their independence.
They are also barkers, especially at
night. The amount of barking varies from
individual to individual, but the instinct is
there and in some cases can cause major
problems. Most Great Pyrenees in urban
or suburban settings must be kept indoors
at night because of the barking.
Due to their instinct to establish and
patrolalargeterritory,Pyrsmustbeconfined
in a well-fenced area. They are roamers and
when out of the fence they must be kept on
lead at all times. While most Pyrs are very
protective of small animals, many will not
tolerate another large dog of the same sex
in their territory.
If, after thoroughly researching the
breed, you decide that this is a dog that you
would like to share your life with, please
buy from a responsible breeder. When vis-
iting the breeder, ask to see the parents of
the puppy.
Make sure that both parents are OFA or
Penn Hip certified clear of hip dysplasia.
278 •
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how
S
ight
M
agazine
,
N
ovember
2012