Great Pyrenees
Public Group
The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and
unsurpassed beauty combined... View more
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Group Description
The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and
unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty. He has a white or principally white
coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or varying shades of tan. He possesses a keen intelligence
and a kindly, while regal, expression. Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his
soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred, the strenuous
work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.
Size, Proportion, Substance: Size – The height at the withers ranges from 27 to 32 inches for dogs and
from 25 to 29 inches for bitches. A 27 inch dog weighs about 100 pounds and a 25 inch bitch weighs
about 85 pounds. Weight is in proportion to the overall size and structure. Proportion – The Great
Pyrenees is a balanced dog with the height measured at the withers being somewhat less than the length of
the body measured from the point of the shoulder to the rearmost projection of the upper thigh (buttocks).
These proportions create a somewhat rectangular dog, slightly longer than it is tall. Front and rear
angulation are balanced. Substance – The Great Pyrenees is a dog of medium substance whose coat
deceives those who do not feel the bone and muscle. Commensurate with his size and impression of
elegance there is sufficient bone and muscle to provide a balance with the frame. Faults – Size – Dogs and
bitches under minimum size or over maximum size. Substance – Dogs too heavily boned or too lightly
boned to be in balance with their frame.
Head: Correct head and expression are essential to the breed. The head is not heavy in proportion to the
size of the dog. It is wedge shaped with a slightly rounded crown. Expression – The expression is elegant,
intelligent and contemplative. Eyes – Medium sized, almond shaped, set slightly obliquely, rich dark
brown. Eyelids are close fitting with black rims. Ears – Small to medium in size, V-shaped with rounded
tips, set on at eye level, normally carried low, flat, and close to the head. There is a characteristic meeting
of the hair of the upper and lower face which forms a line from the outer corner of the eye to the base of
the ear. Skull and Muzzle – The muzzle is approximately equal in length to the back skull. The width and
length of the skull are approximately equal. The muzzle blends smoothly with the skull. The cheeks are
flat. There is sufficient fill under the eyes. A slight furrow exists between the eyes. There is no apparent
stop. The boney eyebrow ridges are only slightly developed. Lips are tight fitting with the upper lip just
covering the lower lip. There is a strong lower jaw. The nose and lips are black. Teeth – A scissor bite is
preferred, but a level bite is acceptable. It is not unusual to see dropped (receding) lower central incisor
teeth. Faults – Too heavy head (St. Bernard or Newfoundland-like). Too narrow or small skull. Foxy
appearance. Presence of an apparent stop. Missing pigmentation on nose, eye rims, or lips. Eyelids round,
triangular, loose or small. Overshot, undershot, wry mouth.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck – Strongly muscled and of medium length, with minimal dewlap. Topline –
The backline is level. Body – The chest is moderately broad. The rib cage is well sprung, oval in shape,
and of sufficient depth to reach the elbows. Back and loin are broad and strongly coupled with some tuck-
up. The croup is gently sloping with the tail set on just below the level of the back. Tail – The tailbones
are of sufficient length to reach the hock. The tail is well plumed, carried low in repose and may be
carried over the back, “making the wheel,” when aroused. When present, a “shepherd’s crook” at the end
of the tail accentuates the plume. When gaiting, the tail may be carried either over the back or low. Both
carriages are equally correct. Fault – Barrel ribs. The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and
unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty. He has a white or principally white
coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or varying shades of tan. He possesses a keen intelligence
and a kindly, while regal, expression. Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his
soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred, the strenuous
work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.
Size, Proportion, Substance: Size – The height at the withers ranges from 27 to 32 inches for dogs and
from 25 to 29 inches for bitches. A 27 inch dog weighs about 100 pounds and a 25 inch bitch weighs
about 85 pounds. Weight is in proportion to the overall size and structure. Proportion – The Great
Pyrenees is a balanced dog with the height measured at the withers being somewhat less than the length of
the body measured from the point of the shoulder to the rearmost projection of the upper thigh (buttocks).
These proportions create a somewhat rectangular dog, slightly longer than it is tall. Front and rear
angulation are balanced. Substance – The Great Pyrenees is a dog of medium substance whose coat
deceives those who do not feel the bone and muscle. Commensurate with his size and impression of
elegance there is sufficient bone and muscle to provide a balance with the frame. Faults – Size – Dogs and
bitches under minimum size or over maximum size. Substance – Dogs too heavily boned or too lightly
boned to be in balance with their frame.
Head: Correct head and expression are essential to the breed. The head is not heavy in proportion to the
size of the dog. It is wedge shaped with a slightly rounded crown. Expression – The expression is elegant,
intelligent and contemplative. Eyes – Medium sized, almond shaped, set slightly obliquely, rich dark
brown. Eyelids are close fitting with black rims. Ears – Small to medium in size, V-shaped with rounded
tips, set on at eye level, normally carried low, flat, and close to the head. There is a characteristic meeting
of the hair of the upper and lower face which forms a line from the outer corner of the eye to the base of
the ear. Skull and Muzzle – The muzzle is approximately equal in length to the back skull. The width and
length of the skull are approximately equal. The muzzle blends smoothly with the skull. The cheeks are
flat. There is sufficient fill under the eyes. A slight furrow exists between the eyes. There is no apparent
stop. The boney eyebrow ridges are only slightly developed. Lips are tight fitting with the upper lip just
covering the lower lip. There is a strong lower jaw. The nose and lips are black. Teeth – A scissor bite is
preferred, but a level bite is acceptable. It is not unusual to see dropped (receding) lower central incisor
teeth. Faults – Too heavy head (St. Bernard or Newfoundland-like). Too narrow or small skull. Foxy
appearance. Presence of an apparent stop. Missing pigmentation on nose, eye rims, or lips. Eyelids round,
triangular, loose or small. Overshot, undershot, wry mouth.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck – Strongly muscled and of medium length, with minimal dewlap. Topline –
The backline is level. Body – The chest is moderately broad. The rib cage is well sprung, oval in shape,
and of sufficient depth to reach the elbows. Back and loin are broad and strongly coupled with some tuck-
up. The croup is gently sloping with the tail set on just below the level of the back. Tail – The tailbones
are of sufficient length to reach the hock. The tail is well plumed, carried low in repose and may be
carried over the back, “making the wheel,” when aroused. When present, a “shepherd’s crook” at the end
of the tail accentuates the plume. When gaiting, the tail may be carried either over the back or low. Both
carriages are equally correct. Fault – Barrel ribs.Forequarters: Shoulders – The shoulders are well laid back, well muscled, and lie close to the body. The
upper arm meets the shoulder blade at approximately a right angle. The upper arm angles backward from
the point of the shoulder to the elbow and is never perpendicular to the ground. The length of the shoulder
blade and the upper arm is approximately equal. The height from the ground to the elbow appears
approximately equal to the height from the elbow to the withers. Forelegs – The legs are of sufficient bone
and muscle to provide a balance with the frame. The elbows are close to the body and point directly to the
rear when standing and gaiting. The forelegs, when viewed from the side, are located directly under the
withers and are straight and vertical to the ground. The elbows, when viewed from the front, are set in a
straight line from the point of shoulder to the wrist. Front pasterns are strong and flexible. Each foreleg
carries a single dewclaw. Front Feet – Rounded, close-cupped, well padded, toes well arched.
Hindquarters: The angulation of the hindquarters is similar in degree to that of the forequarters. Thighs –
Strongly muscular upper thighs extend from the pelvis at right angles. The upper thigh is the same length
as the lower thigh, creating moderate stifle joint angulation when viewed in profile. The rear pastern
(metatarsus) is of medium length and perpendicular to the ground as the dog stands naturally. This
produces a moderate degree of angulation in the hock joint, when viewed from the side. The hindquarters
from the hip to the rear pastern are straight and parallel, as viewed from the rear. The rear legs are of
sufficient bone and muscle to provide a balance with the frame. Double dewclaws are located on each rear
leg. Rear Feet – The rear feet have a structural tendency to toe out slightly. This breed characteristic is not
to be confused with cow-hocks. The rear feet, like the forefeet, are rounded, close-cupped, well padded
with toes well arched. Fault – Absence of double dewclaws on each rear leg.
Coat: The weather resistant double coat consists of a long, flat, thick, outer coat of coarse hair, straight or
slightly undulating, and lying over a dense, fine, woolly undercoat. The coat is more profuse about the
neck and shoulders where it forms a ruff or mane which is more pronounced in males. Longer hair on the
tail forms a plume. There is feathering along the back of the front legs and along the back of the thighs,
giving a “pantaloon” effect. The hair on the face and ears is shorter and of finer texture. Correctness of
coat is more important than abundance of coat. Faults – Curly coat. Stand-off coat (Samoyed type).
Color: White or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown, or varying shades of tan. Markings
of varying size may appear on the ears, head (including a full face mask), tail, and as a few body spots.
The undercoat may be white or shaded. All of the above described colorings and locations are
characteristic of the breed and equally correct. Fault – Outer coat markings covering more than one third
of the body.
Gait: The Great Pyrenees moves smoothly and elegantly, true and straight ahead, exhibiting both power
and agility. The stride is well balanced with good reach and strong drive. The legs tend to move toward
the center line as speed increases. Ease and efficiency of movement are more important than speed.
Temperament: Character and temperament are of utmost importance. In nature, the Great Pyrenees is
confident, gentle, and affectionate. While territorial and protective of his flock or family when necessary,
his general demeanor is one of quiet composure, both patient and tolerant. He is strong willed,
independent and somewhat reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal to his charges both human and
animal.
Source: AKC