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Common Ground News

Can Great Pyrenees be hunting dogs?

Author

Christopher Snyder

Updated on March 11, 2026

Can Great Pyrenees be hunting dogs?

While the Great Pyrenees has been used as a hunting dog in the past, the modern Pyr isn't a sporting dog. Aside from being likely to wander, they don't have the stamina for days spent in the field.

Subsequently, one may also ask, are Great Pyrenees good hunting dogs?

While the Great Pyrenees has been used as a hunting dog in the past, the modern Pyr isn't a sporting dog. Aside from being likely to wander, they don't have the stamina for days spent in the field. And swimming may be difficult for many Great Pyrenees, so retrieving is not a likely task for this breed.

One may also ask, are Great Pyrenees smart dogs? The Great Pyrenees is an intelligent breed and can become bored a bit too easily. Originally bred for guarding livestock, the Pyr is used to working and thinking on his own. This trait is still strong, whether he comes from a line of pet dogs or working dogs.

Hereof, can Great Pyrenees be inside dogs?

A majestic-looking dog with a kindly, regal expression, the Great Pyrenees is calm, composed, and serious. As an adult, he is quiet indoors and content with long daily walks and regular opportunities to stretch out. He does love to romp in the snow, and pulling a cart or carrying a backpack gives him a purpose in life.

Can I shave my Great Pyrenees?

Great Pyrenees should be shaved in the summer to keep cool:Please, please, pleeeease do not shave your Great Pyrenees in the summer. Your pyr has the double coat for a reason – it keeps him warm in the winter AND cool in the summer. When the weather starts to warm up, your pyr will shed his fluffy undercoat.

Why Do Great Pyrenees put their paw on you?

The Root of the Behavior
When your beloved pooch raises his paws to show as if he wants something, this is his way of getting your whole attention. When he elevates his paws, it makes him very hard to miss. This can be likened to a student raising his hand in class to get his teacher's attention.

Do Great Pyrenees like to cuddle?

While trustworthy, affectionate, gentle and tractable, they can become, when and if the need arises, protective guardians of their family and their territory. Thus, they command respect as watch dogs as well as admiration as pets.

Can Great Pyrenees live in hot weather?

The Great Pyrenees can survive outdoors in cold and temperate weather, but it also enjoys living indoors with its family. It is not suited for hot weather, and requires regular daily exercise to remain fit, but its needs are moderate.

Do all Great Pyrenees bark a lot?

Pyrs are not attack dogs and generally will not become aggressive with predators unless the situation becomes dire. They prefer to intimidate their enemy through their giant size and booming bark. A lot of the time, Great Pyrenees bark at things you can't see or hear. Rest assured, they are indeed barking at something.

Can Great Pyrenees be off leash?

LEASHES – While some select Pyrs can be trained to hike off-leash, most Great Pyrenees can not be trained for off leash work. Their nature is to investigate all areas in their access. Therefore, most Pyrs are leash-walked for their entire lives.

Are Great Pyrenees hard to train?

Training a Great Pyrenees can be difficult, but it can also be easy if you start early and maintain kindness and consistency. Originally bred for guarding livestock, the Pyr is used to working and thinking on his own. This trait is still strong, whether he comes from a line of pet dogs or working dogs.

Do Great Pyrenees dogs like to swim?

Being a new mountain dog, your great Pyrenees breed may well not possess a liking for water, as a few breeds associated with dogs like retrievers and also labradors, nevertheless they might take the plunge along with wade a new little.

Should I get a male or female Great Pyrenees?

While pyrs are more “tight-lipped” than most giant breeds, many still drool quite a bit. Drool and fur come for free with every Great Pyrenees! Female pyrs tend to rule the show and be more strong-willed than the males, so it is often advised not to adopt two females together or a female with a strong-willed male.

Do Great Pyrenees dogs bark a lot?

Pyrs are not attack dogs and generally will not become aggressive with predators unless the situation becomes dire. They prefer to intimidate their enemy through their giant size and booming bark. A lot of the time, Great Pyrenees bark at things you can't see or hear. Rest assured, they are indeed barking at something.

Do Great Pyrenees shed bad?

Great Pyrenees are considered to be average to heavy shedders, depending on the climate they live in, so expect to have white hairs on your clothes, furniture, car, and toothbrush. Despite the shedding, he's fairly easy to groom and only requires about 30 minutes of work per week.

Do Great Pyrenees need another dog?

That being said, it is not that they will not get along with a dog of another breed, but they will get the most of a relationship with a dog of the same breed. Another thing to keep in mind, is that pyrs do better in opposite gender pairings.

Do Great Pyrenees drink a lot of water?

Depending on my dogs' activity levels, they can each drink 1/3 of a gallon at one time. I tend to fill our one gallon water bowl 4 times per day with three dogs.

Do Great Pyrenees sleep a lot?

He shouldn't spend more than a few hours at a time in it except when he's sleeping at night. Great Pyrenees are people dogs, and they aren't meant to spend their lives locked up in a crate or kennel.

Can Great Pyrenees be left alone?

Alone Time Though attached to family, Great Pyrenees can handle being left alone for five to eight hours during the day—if given plenty of exercise and mental stimulation otherwise. Without activities to keep the Great Pyr entertained, he may become destructive and will howl or bark.

How do you discipline a Great Pyrenees?

A displeased tone of voice uttered as a reprimand is usually sufficient discipline. If an older pup needs more discipline, shake the dog by the back of the neck. Whenever you have questions or problems, feel free to call the breeder. They know your puppy best.

How do I keep my Great Pyrenees busy?

Keeping Your Great Pyrenees Busy
  1. Take your Great Pyrenees with you whenever you can.
  2. Engage them in play while you're watching TV - if you throw the toy for them, that'll be enough to keep them occupied while you're relaxing.

Are Great Pyrenees lazy?

Great Pyrenees are actually very lazy indoors. Now a puppy would need some stimulus, such as toys or Nylabones, but they are still considered lazy puppies. They are easily house trained and typically easily crate trained. That's about the extent of indoor life for a Pyrenees.

How big can a Great Pyrenees get?

Great Pyrenees puppies have a lot to grow until they reach adulthood. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), adult males can measure between 27 and 32 inches in height. Females measure between 25 and 29 inches in height.

How often should I bathe my Great Pyrenees?

A Great Pyrenees does require regular bathing and brushing. This majestic dog can be bathed every other week up to no longer than every 6 weeks. With this double coated breed, proper bathing and drying techniques lay the groundwork for achieving a beautiful coat.

Are Great Pyrenees aggressive?

The Great Pyrenees can be aggressive if not properly trained and socialized. They will attempt to defend their home from intruders, even if they happen to be one of your friends or family members. However, most of the time, Great Pyrenees are not blatantly aggressive.

Can Great Pyrenees live in apartments?

Maybe not a lot of space. They are not a good choice for an apartment (and they are not a breed for everyone), but most Pyrenees are very happy lying around most of the time, being petted and being watchful just in case some other animal wants to invade their home.

Should I get a Great Pyrenees?

Like most livestock guardian and dominant breeds, Great Pyrenees usually don't get along with dogs of the same sex as adults. If you can't tolerate drool, don't get a Pyr. Pyrs dig deep craters in your yard to keep cool, even in expensive landscaping.