Great Pyrenees

HISTORY -- The Great Pyrenees descended from the ancient Tibetan Mastiff and, more recently, from their descendants, the Mollossian Hounds brought to Spain by the Romans. They became established in the Pyrenees Mountains on the France-Spain border, where they were bred true-to-form in virtual isolation for about 1,000 years. The Great Pyrenees has been used for centuries as a watchdog in its native land. This is in addition to its original function as a flock guard dog.
The Great Pyrenees was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1949. GENERAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS -- The Great Pyrenees is a breed of immense size, great majesty, keen intelligence, kindly expression, unsurpassed beauty and a certain elegance.
The head of the Great Pyrenees is likened to that of a brown bear, but with falling down ears. The average length, measured from the shoulder blades to the root of the tail, should be the same as the height of any given individual. Heavily boned. Soundness is of greatest importance as it was primary to the fulfillment of the Great Pyrenees' original function.

The breed is as serious in play as in work. It is extremely people oriented, able to adapt itself to the moods and desires of its human masters. Courageous and hardy, the Great Pyrenees is gentle and docile with those with whom it is familiar and devoted to them.

HEAD AND SKULL -- The large wedge-shaped head measures from ten to eleven inches from the dome to the point of the nose. The crown is rounded. The furrow is only slightly developed: there is no apparent stop. The cheeks are flat. The close fitting lips are edged in black. Dewlaps are evident, but small.

EYES -- The medium size, slightly obliquely set eyes are a dark, rich brown. The close eyelids are well pigmented.

EARS -- The medium size ears are V-shaped, with rounded tips. They are set parallel with the eyes and are carried low and close to the head except when the dog is at attention, when they are raised.

NECK --The short neck is stout and strongly muscular.

FOREQUARTERS -- The well-placed shoulders are set obliquely and close to the body.

FORELEGS -- Single dewclaws are found on the forelegs.

BODY -- The back and loin are well coupled, straight and broad. The haunches are fairly prominent. The croup slopes slightly. The chest is deep. The ribs are flat sided. The average girth measurements are as follows: dogs, 36 to 42 inches; bitches, 32 to 36 inches.

HIND QUARTERS HIND LEGS - Double dewclaws are found on the hind legs.

FEET -- Close cupped feet.

TAIL -- The well-plumed tail is long enough to hang below the hock. When the dog is in repose, the tail is carried low. When the dog is alert, the tail is curled high over the back, referred to as 'making the wheel'.

COAT -- The breed is double coated. The long, flat, weather-resistant outer coat is straight or slightly undulating; of coarser hair than the undercoat. The heavy undercoat is fine and white.

COLOR -- The following colors are permitted: all white; and principally white with badger, gray, or varying shades of tan markings.
Disqualification: Albinism.

HEIGHT & WEIGHT -- Height is measured at the withers. Average heights are as follows: dogs, 27 to 32 inches; bitches, 25 to 29 inches. Weight ranges are as follows: dogs, 100 to 125 pounds; bitches, 90 to 115 pounds.

GAIT -- Its characteristic rolling, ambling gait is indicative of the breed's original function, that of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.

GAIT -- Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.