Goliath came from the Boyle County SPCA. He had been through several owners and was always running away. They found him abandoned several times. We would not let that happen. He was the first Great Pyrenees that pulled at our heart strings and started it all!
Tonks & Luna were picked up in front of a Crab Orchard area Tractor Supply. A breeder was trying to find them homes and clearly didn’t want them. To try and prevent them from ending up at a shelter, we immediately took them in. They were the last two this individual had, that needed a home.
Mag & Duke came from the Richmond area. They Are brothers and have been together since birth, they could not be split up. Their owner was being forced to move and in a bind. We stepped in to help. They are 10 years old and are happy to live the remainder of their years on the big farm!
Honey came to us from a family in Mercer that had stepped up to foster Honey while she had 10 puppies. All the puppies found homes and yet they couldn’t find a home for Honey. The Mercer SPCA took her back to spay her and we stepped in. Honey is 2 years old and enjoys being a house dog. She is also missing an ear.
Albus Dumbledore came from our local SPCA and was another constant run away. He had been back to the shelter 3 separate times, from 3 separate owners. So we stepped in! He is a Pyrenees/Illyrian Shepherd cross. He is a bit bigger than a standard Pyr. He is so lovable and the sweetest soul! Where ever I go, he wants to go to! He is learning very quick and loves the herd!
Great Pyrenees are amazing gentle giants! They have the most unique personalities and tend to beat to their own drum. Naturally, they are very docile canines. This breed is very ho-hum and nonchalant for the most part. There are always exceptions, especially in rescue and those that come from prior homes. But would say it is an accurate generalization for the breed.
They tend to get along well with all other dogs as long as they are socialized correctly and have enough space. Again, there are always exceptions to this! But as a general rule, they socialize pretty well and will team up together to care for a herd. They will do best with others of their own breed. But ours here are also good with our German Shepard and French Bulldogs (which can be bullies). They took to them just fine.
The breed originates from the Pyrenees mountain region, that borders both Spain and France. This region is referred to as the Basque region. The breed was developed to assist in sheep herd Managment. They are fierce protectors of their flocks and take patrolling their area very Seriously! Notice how they also blend in very well with sheep, this was done on purpose!
Despite being the sweetest and most lovable dogs, there are a few drawbacks to this breed!
They roam, bad! They are notorious for walking their fence lines habitually! If there is a break in the fence, oh well, that’s your problem; they are off to patrol the neighborhood and most likely a 10 mile radius! Most are pretty savvy and will always manage to return home. But you better be ready to provide 6ft fences and combat their digging. Yes, many will dig to stay cool. However, they are happiest on a farm and with a heard to watch over. They can be kept comfortably in a secure back yard. But beware, you will need to watch their routine and maintain fences accordingly! The roaming is the #1 reason Great Pyrs are sent to shelters. They can roam very large farms and I am in the minority on this, but hundreds and thousands of acre farms can’t always fence every section of land. They can be taught! But understand that it will take extreme patience and a lot of time to teach them their ”area.” A GPS collar with a paid subscription, is also highly recommended!
They bark! Yes, they will bark at many odd things! Some of ours have sat and barked at a windmill for hours. One barked at a frog for hours. So if you live really close to neighbors, be aware that you may be plagued with this! Some are better than others, but there is no way to really tell until you get them in to their new environment. There are several bark collars that we have used with success. They don’t shock but vibrate hard and make a high pitched beep. It can be managed, but find your patience!
They kill my chickens! Yep, Great Pyrs were not originally bred to protect chickens! They were bred to protect larger stock. They can and will happily protect chickens but they need training or puppies to learn from an adult dog that does it successfully already. Do NOT purchase this breed and expect them to guard your chicks right out the gate, it wont happen, they will die.
They don’t listen Well! Welcome to Pyr ownership! They have the listening ability of a rock! They aren't trained the same as most dog breeds either. Sit and stay are NOT in this breeds vocabulary and although they can do it with years of consistent practice, it’s rare. They are meant to watch and lay with their herd, not follow obedience commands like other breeds. So be forewarned, they wont take to your yelling SIT, STAY, COME at them. They will give you one side eye and walk off.
We only take Pyrs in on a case by case basis. Why? Because we are a sanctuary, not a rescue. That means that we typically never adopt out. We are a home for life. These dogs came to us due to issues that prevented them from being successfully adpopted out and we felt we had no other option but to step in. We are out to prevent them from ending up in a shelter and on the euthanasia list just because they have a couple difficult traits or are old. All dogs are fixed and up to date on vaccines.
Please reach out to us with your dogs information and what the situation is. We take in those that have no other options. However, we refuse in take in too many and create stress for our current residents.
We may adopt out but it is rare! So please reach out to us with any questions!
We spend on average $200 per month on food for the current herd. We are a 501(c)3, tax deducible, non-profit. All proceeds go directly to the animals and NOT us or labor costs!
Yearly, we spend approximately $600 on beds and raised cots for the herd.
We spend $250 yearly for EACH of the GPS collar subscriptions. To purchase each GPS unit is $55. We like Tractive collars and have had the most success with them.
We spend on average $500 annually for vaccine for the herd.
If you would like to donate to the Pyrenees herd, please click the link below to be redirected to our fee free Zeffy donation site.
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