Breeds / Giant
Pyrenean Mastiff puppies
Calm, self assured and gentle with their own family, a giant Spanish livestock guardian that is naturally protective and inclined to think for themselves.
The facts
- Size class Giant
- Country of origin Spain
- Adult weight 54.4 to 86.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 120 to 190 lb
- Adult height 71 to 79 cm
- Energy level Low
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium double
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Usually good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Pyrenean Mastiff
The Pyrenean Mastiff comes from the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, where they guarded flocks from wolves and bears on the move between mountain and valley pasture. This is a genuine giant, 54.4 to 86.2 kg and 71 to 79 cm at the shoulder, with a medium double coat, a heavy dewlap and a slow, deliberate way of moving. Lifespan is 10 to 12 years. Guardians of this type are placid and tolerant with their own household and stock, and independent minded rather than obedient.
Energy needs are low for the size: measured daily walks, with exercise kept short while a puppy's growth plates are still open. The double coat is brushed weekly and blows out twice a year, and the dewlap needs cleaning. Expect deep barking at night, since that is the job. Training takes patience because these dogs think for themselves. They need space, strong fencing and an owner ready for the food, veterinary and drool costs that come with a giant dog.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Pyrenean Mastiff puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. Energy is on the lower side for the breed, but every eight week old puppy still runs in bursts and then crashes. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
- Degenerative myelopathy, detectable by DNA test
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
- Ear infections, caught by checking the drop ears regularly
- Hot spots under a damp undercoat, avoided by drying the dog to the skin and checking the coat
- Heart disease in older dogs, picked up by a cardiac examination
Your Pyrenean Mastiff puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a Pyrenean Mastiff.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 54.4 to 86.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 86.2 kg, the largest size in the chart, which tops out at 49.9 kg, so measure the dog before you buy; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other giant breeds
More on the Pyrenean Mastiff
Previous: Pumi · Next: Pyrenean Sheepdog (Smooth Faced)
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Pyrenean Mastiff breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pyrenean-mastiff/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.