Great Pyrenees and King Shepherd
- Thread starter maxttu
- Start date
ChamHoudini
Member
The only thing I know is that the Pyrenees needs alot of grooming. You might want to see if the show Dogs 101 has anything about them.
maxttu
New Member
Thx, Chris! I was just hoping to get 1st hand accounts for these two breeds. It's always good to hear from people who have actually owned them. More intimate discussions are good.
luevelvet
Avid Member
I used to own a Great Pyrenees. They're amazing loyal and can be a bit protective. They're definitely barkers and will often bark at anything they can hear or see outside your window. They absolutely love the snow so if you don't get at least a few months a year I wouldn't recommend it. This is of course my opinion but I don't think they belong anywhere it doesn't snow. Also, lineage does matter! 
Cheers and good luck on your search!
Luis
Cheers and good luck on your search!
Luis
ChamHoudini
Member
No problem 
I haven't even heard of a king shepherd or seen one that I know of.
I haven't even heard of a king shepherd or seen one that I know of.
Echoezra
Established Member
I have a Great Pyrenees named Bruin. He is 11 years old now, and has always been a wonderful calm mellow boy and an absolute joy to have around. It really depends what youre looking for in a dog though. Their breed is historically Livestock Guardian, whereas shepherds are Herding Dogs. that means that Pyr's were meant to be left alone in the mountains with a flock. Whereas shepherds were designed to WORK, and work WITH the shepherd, taking cues from them. So Pyr's are generally more independent, and dont quite have that constant eye on the master, eager to please thing that shepherds usually have. They also dont have as high of an energy level as shepherds.
My guy has basically never had a prey drive. He's never been much of a chewer, doesnt understand toys, wont chew on anything that isnt food. I dont think the chewing thing is necessarily typical to the breed, but i think the prey drive thing is somewhat.
As for the coat, yes, there's a lot. lol. Its not really bad for the first two years, but i highly recommend making brushing a frequent activity as puppies anyway, whether it seems necessary or not, because its not so bad to brush them, unless they despise it like my guy does! lol. They will develop a very thick cottony undercoat, so your best friend is a good rake. Well, two, one for the undercoat, and one for your lawn after you're done brushing! Haha.
It's not that bad though, if the dog is cooperative. But the full body workout my dog puts me through to get him brushed has me molesting every greyhound that comes in the store I work at (feel that smooth short coat! Ahhhhh......)
I adore their calm mellow gentle personalities though, I really do love the breed. I couldn't imagine a better match of a dog to my personality, but my kids are always jealous when other people's dogs are playing fetch (Bru doesnt) and I know my friend who is all about her dog obeying her every command, would be very disappointed with Bruin's "in a second" attitude.
Training plays a huge part, I'm sure a pyr could be trained to do anything a shepherd could do, it just might take a tweaking in your approach with different natural tendencies taken into consideration.
One last thing, Bruin has a nice deep low manly bark. Shepherds i've found have a much louder sharper bark. It's just a personal thing, and its probably a tolerance i've built up, but I hate the sound of any dog's barking, but I don't mind Bruin's deep woof. I still make him shut up, lol, but it doesnt kill me. Every other bark just pierces my chest when I hear it.
My guy has basically never had a prey drive. He's never been much of a chewer, doesnt understand toys, wont chew on anything that isnt food. I dont think the chewing thing is necessarily typical to the breed, but i think the prey drive thing is somewhat.
As for the coat, yes, there's a lot. lol. Its not really bad for the first two years, but i highly recommend making brushing a frequent activity as puppies anyway, whether it seems necessary or not, because its not so bad to brush them, unless they despise it like my guy does! lol. They will develop a very thick cottony undercoat, so your best friend is a good rake. Well, two, one for the undercoat, and one for your lawn after you're done brushing! Haha.
It's not that bad though, if the dog is cooperative. But the full body workout my dog puts me through to get him brushed has me molesting every greyhound that comes in the store I work at (feel that smooth short coat! Ahhhhh......)
I adore their calm mellow gentle personalities though, I really do love the breed. I couldn't imagine a better match of a dog to my personality, but my kids are always jealous when other people's dogs are playing fetch (Bru doesnt) and I know my friend who is all about her dog obeying her every command, would be very disappointed with Bruin's "in a second" attitude.
Training plays a huge part, I'm sure a pyr could be trained to do anything a shepherd could do, it just might take a tweaking in your approach with different natural tendencies taken into consideration.
One last thing, Bruin has a nice deep low manly bark. Shepherds i've found have a much louder sharper bark. It's just a personal thing, and its probably a tolerance i've built up, but I hate the sound of any dog's barking, but I don't mind Bruin's deep woof. I still make him shut up, lol, but it doesnt kill me. Every other bark just pierces my chest when I hear it.
maxttu
New Member
Good stuff! I live in Texas and it does get hot. I knew someone back in my college days that had a GP and shaved him during the summer months. Advisable?
I don't mind the barking, as long as it's for a reason. I would like for my dog to play "fetch". He doesn't have to do aerial acrobatics, but bringing the ball or frisbee back would be nice...
I don't mind the barking, as long as it's for a reason. I would like for my dog to play "fetch". He doesn't have to do aerial acrobatics, but bringing the ball or frisbee back would be nice...
maxttu
New Member
If it between the two you mentioned then I think you've found your answer.
That's funny. Simon had a "just five more minutes" attitude too. Extremely intelligent and wise dogs but very independent.
Cheers!
Luis
Aarrrggghhh!! That's just it! I don't know!!
Echoezra
Established Member
No, not necessary or advisable to shave them. I wouldn't shave any double-coated breed. Once you brush that cottony undercoat out, the top coat is actually very smooth & thin (still long, but thats ok) and quite water resistant. Basically their mane, fluffy butt and backs of legs will still be pretty fluffy, but the rest will be thinned right out after a thorough brushing in shedding season.
He'll park himself near the a/c on the worst days, but he has no problems staying outside on your average day, in the shade, especially if there's a decent breeze. It just makes him more likely to want to dig himself a little "cooling pit" if its really hot outside.
Keep in mind, king shepherds have a pretty fluffy coat too, they'll need brushing too and will dislike a hot Texas day just as much.
He'll park himself near the a/c on the worst days, but he has no problems staying outside on your average day, in the shade, especially if there's a decent breeze. It just makes him more likely to want to dig himself a little "cooling pit" if its really hot outside.
Keep in mind, king shepherds have a pretty fluffy coat too, they'll need brushing too and will dislike a hot Texas day just as much.
Echoezra
Established Member
Like I said, I think my dog's lack of interest in toys and fetching is more of a Bruin-specific thing than a Pyrenees-specific thing. (Has saved me an assload of money on toys over the years though! Haha!!)
As for the barking, we'll hear him bark at something outside from inside the house once, mayyyyyyybe twice a year. If he's inside, there's never any barking.
He does bark when he gets outside though. He had some grain-sensitivity problems with ear infections in the past so certain noises now bother him, so he'll bark if motorcycles or tractors go by, if the neighbour has a lawn mower going, etc, any of those loud rumble type sounds, he wants them to stop. Otherwise the other barking is a bit of a mystery. I'm sure there's a purpose to him, but usually nothing we can identify, we are surrounded by farmers fields, so he'll bark out into the fields to tell other dogs that he's on guard duty. They're probably barking back too, I just can't hear them a mile away. Lol. But he'll step out the door and start telling the neighborhood his story "just so you all know, I'm out here taking a wiz, so everybody just stay away from my yard!!" And I'll lean out and go "hey! Knock it off. Just go pee, and come back in, it's almost midnight, save your conversation for the morning!" And he'll look at me like "aw, mann.. You're no fun." Lol. I love the big goofball though.
As for the barking, we'll hear him bark at something outside from inside the house once, mayyyyyyybe twice a year. If he's inside, there's never any barking.
He does bark when he gets outside though. He had some grain-sensitivity problems with ear infections in the past so certain noises now bother him, so he'll bark if motorcycles or tractors go by, if the neighbour has a lawn mower going, etc, any of those loud rumble type sounds, he wants them to stop. Otherwise the other barking is a bit of a mystery. I'm sure there's a purpose to him, but usually nothing we can identify, we are surrounded by farmers fields, so he'll bark out into the fields to tell other dogs that he's on guard duty. They're probably barking back too, I just can't hear them a mile away. Lol. But he'll step out the door and start telling the neighborhood his story "just so you all know, I'm out here taking a wiz, so everybody just stay away from my yard!!" And I'll lean out and go "hey! Knock it off. Just go pee, and come back in, it's almost midnight, save your conversation for the morning!" And he'll look at me like "aw, mann.. You're no fun." Lol. I love the big goofball though.
maxttu
New Member
My last campaign speech for Team Pyrenees. I present to you My Bruberry.
Yes ma'am! That's what I'm talking about! Pics! Beautiful GP!!
maxttu
New Member
asongforyou
Member
My last campaign speech for Team Pyrenees. I present to you My Bruberry.
Too cute!!!
I know I already commented on instagram but its much easier to type on my computer.
You seem to like the fluffy breeds lol (so do I). If you're going to get them from a breeder, you're probably going to pay a pretty penny for either breed. So since you're paying a lot of money anyways, make sure they have both parents have had their hips checked. Most reputable breeders will show you a certificate to prove their hips are okay. You also must see at least one of the parents to see their temperament.
Pick a...
Great Pyrenees- If you're okay with a breed that's not going to be performing tricks, constantly wanting to please. You're okay with drool (some do not but most do). Love that white gorgeous coat. But can also groom that beautiful coat (if you do not brush this coat, it will mat, mats are painful to the dog as it tugs on the skin). Will probably need to live indoors since your area can get hot (they do better in cooler climates). A chain or brick wall fence is recommended since they can break through a wooden one. Have a car large enough to fit this dog once it's full grown. Also, tends to be nocturnal since it's job was to guard flocks. They also tend to be aloof.
King Shepherd- If you want a trainable working dog, intelligent and big. Can provide adequate exercise and activities. Dogs that were meant to work can develop "bad" habits if there are no mental stimuli to keep them busy. Important to consider if everyone is out of the house for 8+ hours a day. This dog also requires a strong fence like the Great Pyrenees and a large car. This breed is also fairly new.
Both require regular brushing, a bath once a month (or sooner if really dirty). I don't recommend shaving dogs with a double coat because the undercoat traps cooler air and keeps them cool in the summer AND I think they look ridiculous when shaved. IMOP GP do not really have the "dog smell." Both are great watch dogs and great dogs in general. Both are good with children but I would trust a GP more with younger children (this of course is my personal opinion).
