Great Pyrenees: Food, growth, and weight
For Great Pyrenees, use the dog's body condition and growth trend—not a breed number alone—to guide food and weight decisions. Use the individual dog's age, comfort, and recovery to set the pace. Track portions and body condition over time instead of relying on cups or a single weigh-in. Review the trend at a consistent interval rather than reacting to one meal, weigh-in, or photograph.
What the body reference does not tell you
Great Pyrenees's weight is recorded as 100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female). Here, that matters because it gives context for the individual dog's body condition, but not a target by itself.
Track the individual dog
- Track portions and body condition over time instead of relying on cups or a single weigh-in.
- Use the weight (100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female)) as context, then measure the individual dog's trend rather than changing the plan from the reference alone.
- Review the trend at a consistent interval rather than reacting to one meal, weigh-in, or photograph.
Speak to a vet if
Do not make a therapeutic diet change without a veterinarian.
If this may be a health problem
This page is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Do not change food, medication, exercise, or care for an individual dog based on this page alone; contact a veterinarian for symptoms, pain, weight change, skin changes, persistent behaviour change, or any urgent concern.
References
Height: 27-32 inches (male), 25-29 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: 100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: For all their abundant fur, Pyrs don't require a lot of grooming, as their coat is dirt- and tangle-resistant. They have a double coat, with a long outer coat and a soft undercoat. They will shed this undercoat with great enthusiasm''leading to a snowstorm,' one owner says. She laughs, 'They shed in the spring, after whelping, in honor of certain Druid…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: Pyrs are not a highly active breed. The breed was developed to be a livestock guardian and has been used since ancient times to protect flocks from wolves, bears, and human foes. When working, they will patrol their territory but tend to conserve their energy for fending off whatever may threaten their flock. Moderate exercise such as walks with their owner…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: Pyrs were bred to be independent thinkers, to work without guidance watching and protecting their flock. Although they are intelligent, standard obedience training will be met with great indifference. They don't see the point of all that sitting, heeling, and staying. They will let their boredom show by performing any task you deem important with extremely…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The Great Pyrenees is a large, thickly coated, and immensely powerful working dog bred to deter sheep-stealing wolves and other predators on snowy mountaintops. Pyrs today are mellow companions and vigilant guardians of home and family.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Patella Evaluation', 'Hip Evaluation']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GreatPyrenees.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
Use the tools