The breed likely evolved from a group of principally white mountain flock guard dogs that originated ten or eleven thousand years ago in Asia Minor. It is very plausible that these large white dogs arrived in the Pyrenees Mountains with their shepherds and domestic sheep about 3000 BC. There they encountered the indigenous people of the area, one of which 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 that group.
The Great Pyrenees is a lupomolossoid as opposed to a molossoid. While there has surely been some cross-breeding over the many centuries, the Great Pyrenees is not a mastiff nor are its lupomolossoid ancestors principally from the mastiff family. There are other dogs of the region, such as the Pyrenean Mastiff, and the Spanish Mastiff that fill that description. It is no coincidence that the Great Pyrenees is approximately the same size as the European Grey Wolf.
Great Pyrenees have been used as livestock guardian dogs for centuries. A livestock guardian dog is a breed of dog with special characteristics like no other. Many breeds can be aggressive and protective but only a handful will bond to another species as if it was their own. Great Pyrenees as livestock guardian dogs will bond with species like goats and sheep and protect them with their lives. Great Pyrenees will bond with their charges and live among them day to day. They will sleep with them, attend birthing, show affection to them, and have great patients with them. When a Great Pyrenees bonds with livestock it will constantly guard and protect them. They alert by barking and charging in the direction of the suspicious sounds or smells. Their main purpose is to deter predators from even coming close to livestock but is needed they will fight to protect the herd. They will take on small predators like foxes up to more life threatening predators like bear and packs of wolves. They will develop the same relationship with their owners if raised properly. They will bond with their family and see them as an extension of the herd. Because of this they tend to be wonderful with children when raised with them. They will need a firm master that keeps on top of their behavior as well as understanding their independence. Because they have spent centuries being breed to be strong independent thinkers able to make decisions, problem solve, and not only survive but keep others alive also they are independent and do not take to training very well. They know their job and do not have time for games like roll over and fetch. Now this does not mean the do not need instruction as pups. Many pups have the advantage of being taught by older livestock guardian dogs. If this is not possible the owner will have to correct negative behavior. It is not unusual for a Great Pyrenees pup to need correction as it grows. As pups age they will need less and less monitoring. By the age of two most will be fully trustworthy with everything from sheep to chickens to children.
The Great Pyrenees is a lupomolossoid as opposed to a molossoid. While there has surely been some cross-breeding over the many centuries, the Great Pyrenees is not a mastiff nor are its lupomolossoid ancestors principally from the mastiff family. There are other dogs of the region, such as the Pyrenean Mastiff, and the Spanish Mastiff that fill that description. It is no coincidence that the Great Pyrenees is approximately the same size as the European Grey Wolf.
Great Pyrenees have been used as livestock guardian dogs for centuries. A livestock guardian dog is a breed of dog with special characteristics like no other. Many breeds can be aggressive and protective but only a handful will bond to another species as if it was their own. Great Pyrenees as livestock guardian dogs will bond with species like goats and sheep and protect them with their lives. Great Pyrenees will bond with their charges and live among them day to day. They will sleep with them, attend birthing, show affection to them, and have great patients with them. When a Great Pyrenees bonds with livestock it will constantly guard and protect them. They alert by barking and charging in the direction of the suspicious sounds or smells. Their main purpose is to deter predators from even coming close to livestock but is needed they will fight to protect the herd. They will take on small predators like foxes up to more life threatening predators like bear and packs of wolves. They will develop the same relationship with their owners if raised properly. They will bond with their family and see them as an extension of the herd. Because of this they tend to be wonderful with children when raised with them. They will need a firm master that keeps on top of their behavior as well as understanding their independence. Because they have spent centuries being breed to be strong independent thinkers able to make decisions, problem solve, and not only survive but keep others alive also they are independent and do not take to training very well. They know their job and do not have time for games like roll over and fetch. Now this does not mean the do not need instruction as pups. Many pups have the advantage of being taught by older livestock guardian dogs. If this is not possible the owner will have to correct negative behavior. It is not unusual for a Great Pyrenees pup to need correction as it grows. As pups age they will need less and less monitoring. By the age of two most will be fully trustworthy with everything from sheep to chickens to children.