Sugar Mountain's Great Pyrenees
In spring of 2001, we decided to get a Great Pyrenees to guard our dairy goat herd. See puppy photos on Puppy Page. There are also links to past litters of puppies at the bottom of the page.
They are classified as Working Dogs. The AKC says this about Pyrenees:
General Appearance
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
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.
Because of his size, the Great Pyrenees is a lot of dog to handle, and needs
plenty of space at home. Usually he is calm and serious. He forms deep, loving
attachments to his family that last a lifetime. Sometimes he chooses one person
as his special friend. To strangers, he can seem independent.
The Great Pyrenees is a member of the Working
Group and was first recognized by the AKC in 1933.
These are livestock guard dogs and are very smart. They are herd type animals and work well with goats, sheep, cattle, or horses. Of course, ours work with our goats. They are very protective and defensive of "their" herds, which is, of course, why we wanted them. Altogether, over the years, we have owned 6 of these dogs. We currently only own one male/female pair. Our first one was Cappy (Sugar Mountain's Capriculturist):
Very Pretty, wasn't she? She lost the badger markings soon enough. Cappy was pretty small when we got her, and we put her in with that spring's dairy goat kids to train her so she would have the sense of "herd".
These guys used to tower over her! Not any more, though. Here's Cappy after she grew up on the right.
Photo on left is Lee with Gracie on the left and Cappy on the right.
We got our male Pyrenees in February of 2002.. His name is Bo (Bo on the Arkansas). Below are photos of Bo:
However, Bo and Cappy make a great pair. They work well together. They are beautiful dogs. We do breed about a litter a year of these livestock dogs for sale also. Check out puppies below.
Here's Papa with his Pyrenees pack. Bo and Cappy are the two in back. They're all having fun, playing.
Litter Information (Past Litters)
A Note to Our Website Customers
Page created: 02/09/2002
Updated 3/1/05