Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean Shepherd possess the traits of superior herding dogs, they are intelligence, independence, courage, vigor, and versatility.
Daily Care
Grooming Tips
The Pyr Shep sports two different looks: rough-faced and smooth-faced. The rough, as you can guess, has a furrier face and can have a long or semi-long coat that either lies flat or is slightly wavy. The smooth-face has a semi-long coat. The coat is harsh to the touch with little undercoat. It does not mat easily or shed much. The long coat may cord naturally, sort of a controlled matting process.
Ease of grooming depends on coat type. The smooth-faced and semi-long coat varieties need a good brushing a couple of times a month. Longhaired Pyr Sheps should be brushed at least weekly to prevent or remove mats from the coat. Some Pyr Sheps have coats that cord naturally. Your dog’s breeder can advise you on how to care for a corded coat.
The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed and don’t forget the double dewclaws on the hind legs. Keep the ears clean and dry. Good dental hygiene is also important, so brush the teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.
Exercise Tips
You have no idea what energy really is until you have experienced the “energizer bunny” lifestyle of the Pyrenean Shepherd. Honestly, the bunny’s battery would probably die before the Pyr Shep wanted a break! While herding his sheep, this breed can travel 30 miles over the course of the day taking care of his flock. He needs lots of vigorous and mentally stimulating exercise every day.
A fenced yard is essential for this breed. Pyrenean Shepherds do not handle living in apartments or condos very well. Families with high-energy kids would be perfect for this breed. There is no doubt that the children would be outside for hours playing ball or fetch with the dog.
Feeding Tips
The Pyrenean Shepherd is extremely active therefore; he requires a good bit of high-quality, dry kibble.It’s best to feed dry food specifically formulated for high-energy, active dogs. Dry food is essential to the dog’s oral health as soft or canned food can cause tooth decay, plaque buildup, gum disease and bad breath.
Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.
Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Health Tips
The average life span of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 10 to 14 years. Breed health concerns may include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and epilepsy. All in all, this is a healthy, hardy breed.
Trainability
For those who need a herding dog that doesn’t require any training to do his job, the Pyrenean Shepherd is the breed they want. His instincts are all he needs to get the job done. With that being said, the Pyr Shep is easy to train, as his main desire is to please his family. He can be trained to do silly tricks or do necessary tasks within the household.
The Pyrenean Shepherd loves to engage in dog sports. Things like obedience trials, agility courses and herding tests are favorites of this breed. They also do well as therapy dogs and in search and rescue. This highly trainable breed is usually a pleasure to be around.
Pyr Sheps were bred to herd using their bodies, instead of with eye contact as some other breeds do. With an intuitive sense about their owner’s desires, they will respond enthusiastically to clicker training and other positive, reward-based methods. The breed is a great candidate for agility, rally, obedience, dock diving, freestyle work, and almost any fun dog sport.
History
The rugged Pyrenees Mountains of France are the birthplace of this tough but cheerful little dog. He herded flocks there (and still does today), aided by his big brother theGreat Pyrenees, who stood guard against predators. You might hear that he was the original dog of the Cro-Magnon people, but this is highly unlikely, or at least something that can never be known.
In the 19thcentury, a few Pyr Sheps traveled to America in the company of shepherds who found work herding flocks in the American West. They may well have played a role in the development of theAustralian Shepherd.
During World War I, Pyr Sheps were taken from their mountains and meadows to aid in the war effort. They delivered messages, sought out wounded soldiers, and performed guard duty.
American dog lovers became interested in the breed in the 1970s and 1980s and imported dogs from France to begin their own breeding programs. The Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America was formed in 1987, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2009. The Pyr Shep ranks 162ndamong the breeds registered by the AKC.
