Appearance

The Great Pyrenees is a giant dog with shaggy white coat with a majestic carriage. With their glorious white coats and regal presence the “Pyrs” are a distinctive breed. They look immensely strong and yet are well balanced with unhurried, steady and smooth movement, which is driven by powerful hindquarters.

History

As the name suggests, the Great Pyrenees originated from the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France and Spain. They are one of the oldest breed in the world. For hundreds of years they have been used by shepherds who inhabit the parts of the region in and around the Pyrenees Mountains. There exact history is unknown, but fossils of the breed have been found that predates the Bronze Age (1800-1000BC). The make-up of the breed is also unknown, although some experts say that the Kuvasz of Hungary, the Maremma Sheepdog of Italy, and the Anatolian Sheepdog of Turkey are all likely the candidates since they bear similar appearances. One of the first descriptions of the breed dates from 1407, and from 1675 they were favored by the French aristocracy. The first Great Pyrenees to be imported to North America went to Newfoundland, Canada. Throughout the 1800s, the breed gained popularity in England, Europe, and the United States. The two World Wars took a toll on all dog breeding. History credits the fist pair to be brought to the United States by General Lafayette for his friend J.S. Skinner in 1824. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in February of 1933.