self-aggrandizing , calm , and brave , the Pyrenean mastiff is a enceinte dog originally bred to defend sight of sheep from predators . Today , these dogs remain rarified outside of their aboriginal Spain and are typically find on farms .
The Pyrenean mastiff , also known as theMastín del Pirineo , started out as a working Canis familiaris in the mountains bordering Spain and France . Now , about 3,000 age later , these gentle heavyweight are insomniac class and farm heel . They ’re rare enough that you wo n’t happen one at the dog car park , but if you ’re lucky enough to bring one nursing home , you ’re in fund fora loyal companion(and a lot of supersized snuggles ) .
" When you see a Pyrenean mastiff for the first time , you like a shot fall in erotic love with them , " says Philippe Normandin , a Pyrenean mastiff breeder atÉlevage Sherpa Kennel .
Anja / Adobe Stock
Appearance
The Pyrenean mastiff kind of looks like aSaint Bernardand aGreat Pyreneesmix . Along withtheir monolithic size(Pyrenean mastiffs can reach 240 pounds and brook 25–31 inch tall ) , these woofershave a boneheaded twofold coatthat ’s always white with eyepatch of beige , black , brindle , brown , golden , or gray .
apart from all that fur , a Pyrenean mastiff is a dog that ’s brawny from his wide head to the wind of his thick tail . His hazel or dark dark-brown oculus wait up sweet at his favorite humans but warily follow stranger until he knows everything ’s okay . When something catches his attention , his floppy Little Phoebe - shaped ears partially lift to listen .
Both the Pyrenean mastiff and Great Pyrenees are working dogs from the Pyrenees mountains on the Spanish - French border . And while they both havefluffy white coatsand folded triangle - shape ears , Pyrenean mastiff librate twice as much as the Great Pyrenees .
Courtesy of luonnonlapsen / Instagram
Temperament
According to the Pyrenean Mastiff Club of America(PMCA ) , these hotdog are known to be silent andintelligent . Normandin allege Pyrenean mastiff are " a complete household member . "
" They will nestle with the kids … they will lie on the floor and lease you sweep them as long as you want , " Normandin says .
At home , a well - trained Pyrenean mastiff is agreat family dogand gentle hulk . He ’s tranquil , placid , and prefers to drop the day snooze ( sometimes up to 16 hour a day , Normandin say ) . But because they were bred to watch over sheep and guard their pot from predators , Pyrenean mastiff are always keeping a watchful eye over their family . They ’ll likelybark to alarm youto anything they retrieve touch on , even if it ’s just a neighbor walk down the street or a delivery soul bringing you a pizza .
Courtesy of luonnonlapsen / Instagram
This natural chariness can make them aloof around strangers , sosocializing your Pyrenean mastiff puppyfrom an early age is implausibly important for him to grow into a cultivated and well - mannered pet .
Living Needs
Sure , the Pyrenean mastiff pass a bunch of time snoozing , but this dog-iron is no sofa potato . He need plentitude of way to vagabond , snuff , and run , Normandin says , and he might not make out well with metropolis biography .
" They are used in Europe as farm dog , and they are very good with the farm beast , " Normandin say . " They would not be a good fit in the city . If you have a backyard for him to express himself , [ that ’s beneficial ] … For me , letting my dogs lead freely in our yards and await at them playing together is a wonderful joy . "
Pyrenean mastiffs tend to get along and play well with other dogs and computed axial tomography ( peculiarly if the two areintroduced at an early ageand properly socialized ) . They ’re also tranquil and blue-blooded around children , though puppy playtime should always be supervised . These cad be intimate attention from their owners and will often perch their additional - big head in their homo ’s lap for snuggle and pats .
AnjavdR / Shutterstock
Daily physical exertion is a must , but you do n’t need to be a marathon runner to give your Pyrenean mastiff a good workout . In fact , giant breeds like the Pyrenean mastiff can have problems with their bones and joints as they ’re growing up , so keep any practice ( peculiarly during puppyhood ) low - impact . Take him ona couple of daily walkswhere he can take plenty of time to snuff , andweekend hike will make him happy , too .
These dogs love the coldand were bred for mountain life . If you live somewhere with in particular quick summers , it ’s important toprotect your Pyrenean mastiff from the heat . Schedule your walkway for the morning and evening ( notwhen the Lord’s Day is eminent ) , and always make certain he has accession to nuance , AC , and body of water when it ’s red-hot .
Care
Because the Pyrenean mastiff issobig and his fur issothick , it ’s no surprise that you ’re going to have tospend a sight of time brushing him . But do n’t think of this as a task . " brush your Pyrenean mastiff will be a good metre to draw together and take time to relax with your dog , " Normandin suppose .
This dogblows his coat seasonally , and frequent brush will assist switch off down on the amount of pelt clumps scattered on the floor . But no matter how much the fur fly , donottake your pup to be plane by a groomer ; twofold - coated dogs like the Pyrenean mastiff really need those layer to stay insulated and comfortable year - round .
Aside from sweep him every other day ( or every daylight , if you may drop it ) , your Pyrenean mastiff is relatively simple to worry for . Normandin says they do n’t take a lot of baths , and — despite their rather drooping jowls — the strain is n’t very drooly when compared to other big dog , like anEnglish mastiff .
Courtesy of luonnonlapsen / Instagram
Like all dogs , Pyrenean mastiffsneed their nail trimmedso they do n’t snap - clack across the floor . You should alsobrush their tooth regularlyandclean their earsto keep them healthy .
train your Pyrenean mastiffis all about keep him engaged . These hotdog can be pretty independent - minded , so forbearance ( andlots of treats ! ) is crucial .
" They are a little piece curious , so you need to keep them focussed on you when training them , " Normandin says . " They need to please you , sotraining with positive reinforcementand treats will be the key . "
Anja / Adobe Stock
Health
Pyrenean mastiff aregenerally healthy dogswho live about 10–13 years . That pronounce , there are still sure wellness term owners require to stay vigilant for .
For one , those precious , droopy eyescan grow some problems . Pyrenean mastiff canbe prone to heart infection , entropion(a consideration where the eyelids twist inward ) , andectropion(where the lid plow outward ) .
Along with eye progeny , these large dogs can develophip dysplasia , which come about when the hip joint does n’t develop properly . Pyrenean mastiff puppies are also slow to mentally mature but , physically , they grow very quickly ; this can lead topanosteitis , commonly advert to as " growing pains . "
Because these pups spring up into great , barrel - chested dogs , stomachic dilation volvulus ( or " bloat")is something all Pyrenean mastiff parent demand to be mindful of . Bloat is a life - threatening status and involve to be addressed by a veterinarian right away . Talk to your vet about the signs of bloat and whether a gastropexy surgery is recommended for prevention .
One last thing : While using treats during training sessions can keep your pup focused on you and ready to learn , do n’t feed himtoomany collation . Otherwise , he can quickly jam on the Sudanese pound .
History
As an ancient stock , the Pyrenean mastiff ’s history is very much tat with the history of Spain . Phoenician monger acquired mastiff dogs in Sumeria and Assyria about 3,000 years ago and brought them to present - day Spain on their travels , according to the stock club . The firedog were sell and , over the centuries , the mastiffs worked deal - in - manus with shepherds to move sheep flocks through the slew and protect them from skirt chaser and bear .
In 1659 , Cardinal Mazarin ( the Regent of France ) and Philippe IV ( the King of Spain ) signed a decree . France took control of the northern Pyrenees mountains , and Spain keep up control of the due south . This split did n’t just affect the mountains , but the dogs , too . On either side of the borderline , the flock guardians were further refined until the Great Pyrenees and Pyrenean mastiff became two separate , trenchant breeds — the Pyrenean mastiff on the Spanish side , the Great Pyrenees on the French side .
But in the 1930s and ' 40s , Pyrenean mastiffs begin to disappear . Wolves and bear go away from the mountains , and farmers scramble to satisfy the firedog ' big appetency after the Spanish Civil War . The giant dogs almost became nonextant but were revived by breed fancier .
The Pyrenean mastiff is n’t yet recognise by the American Kennel Club , but the dogs are part of the organisation ’s Foundation Stock Service , which put them on the course to full recognition .
