Known in France as, “The King of Dogs,” the Great Pyrenees has been a devoted livestock guardian in the Pyrenees Mountains for hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of years. These massive dogs are known for their snow-colored coats and their protective nature. The Great Pyrenees is an ancient breed, being developed in a remote area long before records of dog breeding were kept, possibly before writing was even introduced to the region. As a result, most of the breed’s history is shrouded in mystery. What is known for sure is that the breed is very old, is native to the Pyrenees Mountains which form the border between France and Spain and that the breed has used a variety of aliases throughout history to include: the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Pyrenean Wolfhound, Bearhound, Chien des Pyrenees, Montagne des Pyrénées and Patou.
Breed Basics
