Border Collie Pyrenees -- Border Collie X Pyrenean Mountain Dog

		Border Collie Pyrenees
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain <> France -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Border Collie Pyrenees

The Border Collie Pyrenees is not a pure-bred dog. It's a cross between the Border Collie and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to study all the breeds in the cross and know that you can get any combination of characteristics found in either breed. Not all designer hybrid dogs that are bred are 50% purebred and 50% purebred. Breeders frequently cross-breed over several generations.

History of the Border Collie Pyrenees

The Border Collie is a native English breed that probably dates back to the first century, when the invading Romans introduced larger shepherd breeds that were then modified by cross-breeding with the Spitz-type dogs introduced when the Vikings invaded the British Empire. They were bred to be strong and hardy for the purpose of raising sheep and helping English farmers in the highlands of Scotland, England and Wales, a purpose for which they are ideally suited. Today, they may still be breeders in some places, but are mainly kept for companionship and security. This parent breed was recognized by the AKC in 1995. The history of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog dates back to the 1400s, when it was bred for breeding duties in the Pyrenees of northern Spain and southern France. This giant breed was used to herd sheep on steep mountain slopes and eventually became a favorite of the Grand Dauphin and the French aristocracy in the 1600s. It is related to several large white European cattle dogs from Italy, Hungary, Turkey and Poland, as well as to the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland. This parent breed was recognized by the AKC in 1933. Both parent breeds have dense, thick coats that require moderate maintenance.

	A little of the Border Collie
	The Border Collie parent breed has a history that dates back to the first century, when invading Romans brought larger breeds of sheepdogs to England for use in herding. Later, when the Vikings invaded England, they brought smaller, spitz-like breeds which they crossed with existing sheepdogs to create a breed more similar to the Border Collie we know today. The Border Collie became smaller and more agile than the larger breeds, making them ideal for breeding tasks in the climate and topography of the highlands of Scotland and Wales.

	Standard of the Border Collie
	A little of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog
	The related breed, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is thought to have appeared in Europe between 1800 and 1000 B.C. It is thought that the breed probably originated in Central Asia or Siberia, then migrated to Europe with the Aryans. Pyrenean breed enthusiasts and breeders seem to agree that Pyrenean Mountain Dogs are descendants of Great Dane-type dogs whose fossilized remains have been unearthed along the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas. These remains have been found in the oldest strata thought to contain traces of domesticated dogs. The Pyrenees are closely related to the Italian Maremma sheepdog and the Hungarian Kuvasz. Traditionally, Pyrenean Sheepdogs were responsible for protecting flocks from wolves, bears and other predators that roamed the slopes of the remote and icy Pyrenean mountains on the border between France and Spain. With their incredible sense of smell, hearing and vision, coupled with their dense fur armor and spiked collars, they were prized for their prowess as working dogs and companions.

	Standard of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Appearance of the Border Collie Pyrenees

The Border Collie Pyrenees hybrid is a cross between the Border Collie and the Chien de montagne des Pyrénées, and is a large dog weighing over 29.5 kilos that may have attributes of one or both of its parent breeds. The hybrid will have a strong, robust, well-proportioned body with a coat that can be long and coarse or shorter and smoother, with a dense undercoat that protects them from colder temperatures, making them resistant to the elements. Coat color can range from white/gray/cream to black and tricolored red. Eyes can be oval or almond-shaped and rich in brown or blue, ears of medium size and carried erect or semi-erect or carried close to the head. Facial expression could be elegant, intelligent and contemplative, or intelligent, alert, eager and full of interest. The tail could be full and carried low or over the back. Skull width and length are about equal, and the muzzle is strong, with well-fitting lips and a scissor bite. The feet are rounded, well cupped and well padded, with well arched toes.

Temperament of the Border Collie Pyrenees

Border Collies can adopt the temperament of one or both of their parent breeds, the Border Collie and the Chien de montagne des Pyrénées. They can be alert, energetic, intelligent, loyal, protective, reactive, affectionate, gentle, independent and calm. Both parent breeds are excellent with children and other animals, and get along quite well with strangers. Both parent breeds are intelligent, but the parent Pyrenean Mountain Dog contributes independence to the mix, making training difficult. Both breeds are quite energetic, with the Border Collie parent bringing higher energy levels to the biological mix. The Pyrenean Mountain Dog parent contributes higher degrees of wanderlust, barking and howling, and prey drive to the biological mix. Neither parent breed tolerates warm weather well, but both are well adapted to cold tolerance. Neither parent does well when left alone for long periods, boredom giving rise to destructive behavior.

Needs and activities of the Border Collie Pyrenees

Your Border Collie Pyrenees can be very active and energetic. The Border Collie parent brings high energy to the gene pool, while the Pyrenees Mountain Dog parent is a little calmer. That said, your hybrid's energy levels will depend on which breed parent has the greatest influence in the biological gene pool. The higher the energy level, the more active your pet will be, and the greater the pressure on the human family to keep him exercised and challenged, both mentally and physically. Daily walks and runs, combined with plenty of fetch and Frisbee games, will help to discharge some of this natural physical energy. Both breed parents bring high levels of intelligence to the hybrid mix, so it's up to the human owner to keep it mentally challenged to avoid some of the destructive behaviors that accompany boredom. Because energy levels are quite high in this hybrid, it's not recommended that this large dog be subjected to apartment living. He'll do much better in a family home with a fenced-in yard where he can run, romp and play. He can live in both urban and rural areas as long as appropriate exercise options are provided or readily available. Both breed parents were developed for colder elevations and, as such, have difficulty tolerating warmer climates. They will, however, do well in more moderate temperatures, as opposed to subtropical or tropical regions.

Maintenance of the Border Collie Pyrenees

The Border Collie Pyrenees hybrid, like its pedigree parents, requires a moderate amount of grooming maintenance, with higher levels of maintenance required during normal periods of seasonal shedding. Brushing at least twice a week will help to better control shedding, with an additional once or twice a week recommended during these periods of seasonal shedding. Thorough brushing, paying attention to the dense undercoat as well as the softer outer layer, is the recommended brushing technique to keep the long, dense layer free of mats and debris. Frequent brushing will not only reduce the amount of hair that needs to be vacuumed, but also keep the coat cleaner. Bathe and wash your pet dog only when necessary to preserve the oil in the coat, which keeps it weather- and water-resistant. This hybrid is no different from most other canine breeds in that regular, careful attention to teeth and ears is recommended for ear cleanliness and reduced potential for infection, and for teeth to prevent or reduce periodontal disease that can lead to tooth loss.

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 11 March 2024; Hits: 557

Border Collie Pyrenees -- Border Collie X Pyrenean Mountain Dog