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Saint Pyrenees |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Switzerland <> France -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Saint Pyrenees |
| The Saint Pyrenees is a hybrid of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog and the St. Bernard. This breed is a giant dog in adulthood, weighing up to 82 kilos. Even though it's a huge dog, it's gentle and friendly, with a pleasant disposition. It's an excellent pet that can get along with all other animals and children, but will protect you and your family from danger. They're intelligent dogs who learn quickly and like to make you happy, so training them won't be difficult. However, you need to make sure you socialize your dog from the start for best results. |
History of the Saint Pyrenees |
| The Saint Pyrenees is a hybrid dog that hasn't been around long, so it doesn't yet have a history. So it's important that you look at the history of both the Pyrenees Mountain Dog and the St. Bernard. |
A little of the St. Bernard |
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| St. Bernards originated in Switzerland in the 9th century as draft, search and rescue and guard dogs. They were bred from Tibetan Mastiffs, Great Danes, Great Swiss Mountain Dogs and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs by the Monks of Switzerland and the St. Bernard of Menthon. A hospice in Switzerland began using the breed to help those traveling from Switzerland to Italy over the dangerous Alpine pass. The St. Bernard Dog has the uncanny ability to find avalanche victims buried under snow, simply by using its nose. The dogs were sent out in pairs, and when a victim was found, one dog would stay with them to warm them up while the other went for help. One dog, Barry, was honored in 1810 for saving over 40 victims. The American Kennel Club recognized the St. Bernard in 1885 and the Swiss Kennel Club in 1889. Today, the breed is the 49th most common dog in the United States. | ||
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| Standard of the St. Bernard |
A little of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog |
| The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a giant breed native to Asia that has existed since around 10,000 B.C. They were bred from the Maremma and Abruzzo Sheepdog and the Hungarian Kuvasz to guard sheep, and were named after the Pyrenean mountains, where they originated. At the end of the 17th century, it was declared the royal dog of France by King Louis XIV and was used as a guard dog for royal estates. Pyrenean Mountain Dogs became more popular in England and the United States in the 19th century, and were even used in Switzerland to breed the St. Bernard. However, they were not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1933 and are the 67th most popular dog in America. |
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| Standard of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog |
Appearance of the Saint Pyrenees |
| Your Saint Pyrenees will be a giant dog when it reaches adulthood. They generally measure between 63.5 and 81 centimeters and weigh around 82 kilos on average. Their coat is soft and thick, of medium to long length, and can be brown, white and black, brown and white, black and brown, russet, white and black, gray, white and brown, merle, pied, sable, or any combination of these colors. The Saint Pyrenees has a huge head with fluffy, pendulous ears and almond-shaped brown eyes. Its nose and lips are black, as are the rims of its eyes. It's a big, strong breed with muscular legs and a long, furry tail. |
Temperament of the Saint Pyrenees |
| This breed loves people and loves to play, but is just as happy to stay at home with you. Although they really love children and other pets, they need to be supervised with young children due to their large size and clumsiness. Saint Pyrenees are quick learners and can learn to do just about anything you want to teach them. However, they can also be lazy and stubborn when they want to be. You'll need to be consistent and firm as well as patient when training them, and use positive reinforcement rather than physical punishment. They don't mind being left alone at home, but also enjoy family outings. |
Needs and activities of the Saint Pyrenees |
| The Saint Pyrenees loves to run around outside, so it's best if you have a large fenced-in yard for them to play in. They are large dogs and not at ease in small apartments without a garden. They tend to be lazy, and your dog can put on weight if he doesn't get at least an hour's exercise a day. What's more, dogs that don't get enough physical and mental stimulation can develop behavioral problems due to boredom or anxiety. Fun activities for your Saint Pyrenees include going to the dog park to play with other dogs, hiking in the local park, swimming, playing ball, taking long walks, and he even enjoys agility training. |
Maintenance of the Saint Pyrenees |
| Because of their thick double coat, Saint Pyrenees need to be brushed thoroughly at least every other day to prevent tangling. You'll need to use a pimple or stiff bristle brush, a stainless steel comb, and you may need to use a hair-removal tool in spring and autumn, when they shed the most hair. However, don't be surprised if you have to vacuum dog hair off furniture on a daily basis, no matter how often you brush your dog. You can bathe your dog once a month or whenever necessary, but be sure to use a mild, conditioning dog shampoo and clean his ears at the same time. You should also trim your dog's nails if necessary to prevent splitting. |
English (United Kingdom)