Great Pyrenees characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Giant | 6% of breeds |
| Energy level | Low | — |
| Trainability | Low | 10% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | High | — |
| Grooming needs | High | 20% of breeds |
| Shedding | Very High | 12% of breeds |
| Barking | Very High | 5% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Very High | 14% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Low | 17% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 11 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Great Pyrenees right for you?
The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. In terms of temperament, it suits families with children particularly well and is a strong natural guardian with a powerful protective instinct. Day to day, the Great Pyrenees needs light but regular activity to stay content, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Great Pyrenees needs light but regular activity to stay content. With low energy and medium athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Great Pyrenees to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Great Pyrenees needs plenty of coat work, including trips to a groomer and drops hair heavily in every season. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Great Pyrenees learns steadily provided you stay consistent and is very vocal and barks readily — something to weigh if you have close neighbors. It needs little company and settles happily by itself, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Great Pyrenees
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Great Pyrenees genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Barking: Very high — the Great Pyrenees is among the most vocal breeds in the catalogue — a real constraint in a flat with shared walls. Only 5% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Size: Giant — the Great Pyrenees is a giant breed, which changes the car, the vet bill and the space a dog needs. Only 6% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Trainability: Low — the Great Pyrenees is less biddable than most breeds. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Drooling: Medium — the Great Pyrenees drools more than the typical breed, though not dramatically. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Great Pyrenees actually costs you
| Exercise | Short daily walks are enough; it will not push you for more. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Brushing several times a week, with professional grooming at intervals. |
| Time alone | Copes with being alone better than most breeds, within reason. |
| Noise | Vocal enough to be a genuine issue with shared walls. |
Where the Great Pyrenees fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Poor fit | very high barking combined with low energy is the combination flats punish most. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | High child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Poor fit | The combination of drive, independence and training difficulty is a lot for a first dog. |
| Homes with cats | Good fit | Medium prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases. |
| Long working days | Good fit | Very high independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Poor fit | Very high shedding and no low-allergen coat recorded. |
| Wanting a watchful dog | Good fit | Very high protectiveness. Socialisation decides whether that reads as steady or reactive. |
Guides the Great Pyrenees is ranked in
The Great Pyrenees earns a place on 4 of our lifestyle shortlists:
Perfect for
- Livestock protection
- Rural properties
- Experienced owners
- Cold climates
Things to consider
- Very independent
- Heavy shedding
- Nocturnal barking
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Great Pyrenees good with children?
- Yes — the Great Pyrenees is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the Great Pyrenees shed a lot?
- The Great Pyrenees has very high shedding.
- How much exercise does the Great Pyrenees need?
- With low energy, the Great Pyrenees needs relatively little exercise — short daily walks are usually enough.
- How long does the Great Pyrenees live?
- The Great Pyrenees typically lives around 11 years.
- Can the Great Pyrenees live in an apartment?
- The Great Pyrenees is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.
- Is the Great Pyrenees easy to train?
- The Great Pyrenees learns steadily provided you stay consistent. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Great Pyrenees be left alone during the day?
- The Great Pyrenees needs little company and settles happily by itself. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.