We have owned many dogs since we set up housekeeping 30 years ago and we have loved them all. But one dog stands out in our memory because of his nobility and loyalty - our Great Pyrenees Rocinante. The Great Pyrenees or Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a very large breed dog, so definitely not for everyone.  Our pet's name comes from the novel by Don Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, <U>Don Quixote</U>.  Rocinante was the name of the horse. So, you can see what our thinking was about the dog.

The Great Pyrenees is classified by the American Kennel Club as a working dog. In their native home in the mountains between Spain and France, the dogs are used to guard herds of sheep from predators. Great Pyrenees have a solid muscular body with a long, coarse, outer coat and a soft and thick undercoat. The coat is weather resistant which allows it to live outdoors year round in very harsh climates. Although basically a white dog, the Great Pyrenees can have color patches of tan, gray or pale yellow. It has a black nose and dark brown, almond-shaped eyes. The expression is their eyes will melt your heart with its apparent thoughtful, intelligent, and dignified expression.

The head of the Great Pyrenees is wedge-shaped with a slightly rounded skull with no apparent stop. The muzzle is wide and slightly pointed. The chest is deep and broad. The Great Pyrenees has single dewclaws on the front legs and double dewclaws on the hind legs. The long, feathered, plumed tail curves upward slightly at the tip and reaches at least to the hocks. The Great Pyrenees is a strong and sturdy dog. In addition to guarding sheep for their Basque owners, Great Pyrenees were used to pull carts, carry contraband, and even artillery between France and Spain during the World Wars.

The Great Pyrenees is a devoted family dog who will offer protection if needed. Their form bonds early in their lives and maintain that attachment. They live an average of 10 years, which is not atypical for very large breed dogs. The Great Pyrenees is highly intelligent and easily trained. However, they are not dogs who always perform well on command. They quickly learn "come", "sit", "down", and "stay", but are less inclined to repeatedly demonstrate their mastery.

Because of their size, these dogs are not recommended for apartment life. They need space, but adapt well to a mid-to-large sized yard. Puppies are very active and might have the tendency to wander off or escape. Because of their thick coats, Great Pyrenees prefers cool climates. They do not need a lot of exercise but they should have some regular activity. You can learn more about getting a Great Pyrenees from the Great Pyrenees Club. Also many states have rescue organizations specifically for Great Pyrenees dogs who need a new home.

Posted by Barbara.