The Pyrenean shepherd, also known as the Pyrenean sheepdog or the Pyr shep, is a small-to-medium-sized breed that has ancient roots, with herding dogs in the Pyrenees dating back thousands of years, though the breed as recognized today was developed more recently. They are one of the smallest traditional herding breeds used by sheep ranchers in the Pyrenees Mountains of France.
Pyrenean shepherds are energetic and have great stamina, which enables them to run long distances at high altitudes. They are intelligent and mischievous, with a great deal of nervous energy. They are shy around strangers but devoted to their families and excellent with children. Their coats come in two main types: rough-faced (long or demi-long) and smooth-faced (short on the face, medium on the body), in a variety of colors, requiring regular brushing, at least weekly for rough-faced types. The long-haired variety has an endearing “scruffy dog” appearance that makes them look charming and mischievous. This breed does need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, so they do best with a family that can give them the time and attention they need. They are not great pets for inexperienced dog owners.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Pyrenean Shepherd
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be good with children. Pyrenean shepherds are shy around strangers but are known to be affectionate and playful with children. Given their high energy level, they can be a good fit for an active household. They need to be trained not to “herd” children by chasing and nipping at them. | Excitable and “barky.” These dogs have a great deal of nervous energy, and they bark a lot. They are alert, excitable, and protective. These are great qualities if you need to be alerted to the approach of strangers, but not if you or your neighbors require a quiet pet. |
| Healthy and long-lived. This is considered a generally healthy breed with few endemic health conditions. They may live to 17 years or more. | Crave stimulation. Pyrenean shepherds have abundant energy that needs to be worked off with running, playing fetch, and performing obedience and agility tasks. They will become anxious, bark, and destroy things if left alone too long. |
| Choices of low-care coats. Pyrenean shepherds may have long, medium, or short hair in a wide range of color combinations. Their coats are coarse and shed minimally, requiring only brushing every week or two. | “Iffy” with strangers and pets. Pyrenean shepherds are wary of strangers and other animals. Their herding instincts make them protective of their family and can cause dominant behaviors toward other animals. |
The Best Dog Food for a Pyrenean Shepherd
Regardless of breed, your dog should be provided with high-quality dog food, manufactured or home-prepared from the most natural ingredients possible, without artificial additives or poor-quality fillers. Spending a little more for higher quality can save you from expensive vet bills as your dog gets older.
Because Pyrenean shepherds are a particularly active breed, it is especially important to provide them with a high-protein diet. Wet or dry dog food will work, along with a small amount of meat scraps or meat broth to make their food savory and protein-rich.
Some Pyrenean shepherds have sandy colored fur.
©Lisjatina/Shutterstock.com
Pyrenean Shepherd Size and Weight
The Pyrenean shepherd is a small-to-medium-sized dog, with males averaging 16 to 21 inches tall and females averaging 15 to 20 inches tall. Males and females can weigh anywhere from 18 to 33 lbs when fully grown.
Pyrenean Shepherd Common Health Issues
Pyrenean shepherds are a healthy breed with few known health issues. They can live for 16 or more years. The American Kennel Club recommends that they receive evaluations for potential problems with the patella, hips, or eyes. Some of their common conditions are:
Pyrenean Shepherd Temperament and Behavior
True to their origins as outstanding herding dogs, Pyrenean shepherds have strong traits of intelligence, independence, courage, loyalty, and versatility. Their typical personality is exuberant, playful, enthusiastic, and affectionate. Their behavior with children is excellent: they enjoy playing and performing tricks.
Another positive behavior is that they are good protectors, being wary of strangers and vocal about any perceived threats. No one will be able to approach your yard or door without your dog keeping you well-informed! This trait can also make them tricky to deal with if you have other pets. Their herding instincts may make them hyper-protective or want to dominate and herd other animals.
How To Take Care of Pyrenean Shepherds
Maintenance and Grooming
Because Pyrenean shepherds have been developed as working dogs, not for a desired appearance, there is great variation in their coats. The coloration can be fawn, grey, blue, brindle, or black, and they sometimes have white on their chest and legs. Their coats may be long, medium (goat-haired), or short (smooth-faced). The coat may lie flat or be slightly wavy and charmingly scruffy-looking.
Their coats feel coarse, and they do not have much of an undercoat. Their fur does not mat or shed very much. The fur of those with long coats may cord naturally. Owners should brush medium and short-haired varieties every two weeks or so. Long-haired Pyrenean shepherds should be brushed weekly. All breeds of dogs should have their nails regularly trimmed and their teeth brushed to maintain their appearance and prevent potentially life-threatening infection.
Training
Bred as herding dogs, Pyrenean shepherds like having a job or activity to do. Because they have such high energy and are eager to please their owners, they are a very trainable breed. An interesting trait of these dogs is that they were bred to herd using their bodies, not using eye contact as some other breeds do. As a result, they can more easily develop an intuitive sense of what they should do. Reward-based methods using clickers, verbal praise, and small treats work very well with them. Because of their high training needs, these dogs are not a good match for inexperienced dog owners.
Exercise
Pyrenean shepherds are extremely energetic! Owners who like running and would enjoy teaching a dog to play fetch and performing obedience and agility tasks will appreciate the personality traits of this breed. They can be trained to run alongside a bicycle, which is a win-win for cycling enthusiasts. These dogs will become anxious and will bark excessively, dig, and create general mayhem if left alone too long. They can adapt to life in either a home or an apartment, if given enough stimulation, attention, and opportunities to exercise vigorously.
Puppies
Pyrenean shepherds tend to be suspicious and reserved toward strangers and other animals. This means that as puppies, they need a great deal of socialization to become well-mannered family pets.
They reach full maturity at about three years old. They bond intensely with their families, so it is difficult for them to form new attachments to another family if they are rehomed. Prospective owners should not choose this breed unless they are firmly committed to the dog for life, which can be more than 15 years.
Pyrenean shepherd puppies need a great deal of socialization to become well-mannered family pets.
©Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com
Pyrenean Shepherds And Children
This breed can be an outstanding companion to children and is more than able to keep up with their level of activity. Pyrenean shepherds are nervous, hyper-alert dogs, though, so they can easily become alarmed by unexpected movements and noises from unfamiliar children. These dogs may chase and nip at children as they would sheep. Owners should correct this behavior immediately and consistently so the dog learns its subordinate place in the hierarchy of the family.
Dogs Similar to the Pyrenean Shepherd
- Great Pyrenees: This breed is from the same region of France and is used to guard flocks rather than herd them. It is larger and not as well-suited to apartment life as the Pyrenean shepherd, but it does get along better with strangers and other dogs.
- Australian Shepherd: This is a herding dog, larger than the Pyrenean shepherd, with similar requirements for attention and exercise, but it is easier to acclimate to a household with children.
- Border Collie: This breed is similar in size and weight to a Pyrenean shepherd and also a herding dog with a similar personality. It is the most intelligent dog breed. They are popular family dogs that are less expensive than similar breeds.
Pyrenean Shepherd Pictures
View all of our Pyrenean Shepherd pictures in the gallery.
Lisjatina/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- Wikipedia / Accessed November 17, 2022
- BreedTips / Accessed November 17, 2022
- American Kennel Club / Accessed November 17, 2022
- VetStreet / Accessed November 17, 2022
- Pet Net ID / Accessed November 17, 2022
