Great Pyrenees: The first 90 days

During a Great Pyrenees puppy's first 90 days, choose manageable experiences and protect recovery between them. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Sequence sleep, toilet training, handling, food routines, socialisation, and short training sessions with rest between them. Space new experiences with sleep and familiar routines; progress by recovery, not by a calendar target.

What to protect during the first 90 days

Great Pyrenees's exercise is recorded as Pyrs are not a highly active breed. Here, that matters because it changes the amount and timing of movement, stimulation, and recovery this situation needs.

A manageable order of experiences

  1. Sequence sleep, toilet training, handling, food routines, socialisation, and short training sessions with rest between them.
  2. Use this exercise note (Pyrs are not a highly active breed) to choose the starting amount of movement and the length of the recovery period.
  3. Space new experiences with sleep and familiar routines; progress by recovery, not by a calendar target.

Pause and seek help if

Pause and seek help when development, appetite, sleep, movement, or fear responses change unexpectedly.

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

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