Pyrenean sheep dog long haired

In my own words

 

If you were to describe me in three words it would be sporty, active and loyal. I love to be around my owner, going out for long walks and hike, exploring the countryside and roaming the area. I can’t imagine ever being a city dog; the open air and rolling fields of the country is all I need!

If you’re looking for couch potato then keep looking. I’m always looking for something to so and my favourite hobby is agility classes and competitions. There’s nothing better than running around an agility course with my master! What a rush! Don’t get me wrong, I love a cuddle as much as the next pup, but you won’t catch me lazing around all day. So come on, grab that ball and let’s go and play fetch. I’ll race you!

Information essential about the Pyrenean sheep dog long haired

 

Kennel Club Group:

Pastoral

Size:

Small: Weight Male 15 – 35 lbs (7 – 16 kg) Female 15 – 32 lbs (7 – 14.5 kg)

Height Male 15 – 22” (38 – 56cm) Female 15 – 20” (38 – 51cm)

Popularity:

 

Many people are not familiar with the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog. While the breed became slightly more popular after 2003 when a Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog won the World Agility Championship, the breed is still considered to be quite rare. It is more popular among dog agility show enthusiasts than the average household.  The breed is better known in its native country, France.

Breed History:

 

The Pyrenean Sheepdog comes in two varieties – smooth faced and rough faced. The rough faced type has slightly long air around the muzzle, while the hair around the muzzle on the smooth faced is shorter and finer. Both types of Pyrenean Sheepdog are considered to be the oldest French breed.

Despite the breed’s old roots, the dog was not known outside of France until the First World War. During 1916 the French Army started using the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog as a messenger dog, transferring communication between soldiers and troops. It was dangerous work for the dogs as they would be captured and killed if enemy troops saw them and wanted to intercept their messages. His fantastic speed and agility, combined with his intellect made the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog a valuable part of the war.

Post-war there were very few Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdogs left. French shepherds set about reviving the breed with a dedicated breeding program. Initially, the breeding was solely to create dogs with good herding abilities but in 1921 a breed standard for the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog was created. In the same year, the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog took place in its first dog show in Toulouse.

Since the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog’s efforts during the First World War the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog has gained a reputation for being courageous and heroic, making them excellent search and rescue dogs as well as watch dogs for family homes.

Character:

 

The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is a well-balanced and good mannered dog. While they are not overly excitable, hyperactive, boisterous or bossy dogs neither are they timid, neurotic, shy or nervous dogs. Instead, they are somewhere between the two and tend to be fairly calm and relaxed, with a slightly reserved attitude towards new people and environments. They need a lot of socialisation with other people and animals from a young age in order to prevent them from becoming too aloof, and they might need some encouragement in unfamiliar places. Their calm nature makes them wonderful family pets as they are great with children, enjoying playtime whilst being tolerant and patient with younger owners. However, he should be trained not to use his inherent herding abilities to try and herd young children, which feel like second nature to your Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog. Your Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog will appreciate a good deal of exercise; he loves to run and will look forward to his daily walks, especially when he can go off leash. His abundant energy means that he’s also a big eater.

Temperament:

 

The Pyrenean Sheepdog has a temperament like many other sheepdogs, despite his smaller stature. He is full of energy and loves to run, jump and explore. The ability of the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog to learn new tasks and his enthusiasm for works means that he can often be found in agility shows and competitive obedience, where he excels. Furthermore, the breed’s history in herding and watching over flocks of sheep makes the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog very protective and they will always keep a look out for trouble and make sure their families are safe, particularly where children are concerned. Your Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog will bond with all members of the family, but usually sees just one owner as their master. Your Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog will follow his master from room to room and want to be with them at all times, but won’t be overly clingy or get in the way too much. They are very sensitive to their owner’s mood. Your Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is naturally wary of strangers, but will warm up to new people when he knows that they can be trusted.

Conformation:

 

The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is small with a light frame and sinewy body. The head has a triangular shape with black rimmed eyes and small ears. The tail can be either naturally bobbed or straight. The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog has a long water resistant coat which has a soft, short dense undercoat and coarser, longer outer coat.

Colour:

 

The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is usually a fawn colour with or without a black mask on the face and muzzle. However, brindle and grey are also common colours. Merle shades and black are also recognised but not as common. White markings on the head, feet and chest are sometimes noted but not preferred.

Training:

 

The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog loves learning new things and enjoys working, making them an easy dog to train providing the training methods are right. Quick learners and eager to please, Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdogs will thrive with a trainer who is consistent, firm, fair and provides plenty of praise.

Care:

 

The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is fairly low maintenance, needing just an occasional brush every few weeks to prevent the coat from tangling or becoming matted. If the coat is not brushed then it will develop cords similar to that of the Puli. The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog’s coat sheds lightly, but not excessively.

Health:

The Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is a healthy and hardy breed with little known health problems, however epilepsy, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia have all been noted in the breed. The average life expectancy of the Long Haired Pyrenean Sheepdog is between 10 and 14 years

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