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The Great Pyrenees is a giant dog breed that hails from the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. They were bred to protect livestock against wild predators, but while their giant size and their history might be intimidating, the breed is known as a gentle giant and has become very popular as a companion pet.
However, potential owners need to be aware of the massive size, weighing 120 pounds or more, and make preparations to welcome one of these dogs into their homes.
Great Pyrenees Breed Overview
The history of the Great Pyrenees starts in Turkey where giant dog breeds were used to protect sheep and other livestock from wild predators. Along with their owners, these breeds moved westwards eventually reaching the Pyrenean Mountains of France and Spain. The area is known for its rough and rugged terrain, as well as its temperatures and weather conditions that vary according to season.
The Great Pyrenees were favored for their ability to work independently as well as their capability to stay with the flock when they trekked up the mountainsides. They would stay with the flock, which meant they needed to be calm and unaggressive. Their white fluffy coat, which has also helped their popularity as pets, ensured they blended in with the flock of sheep, making it easier for them to protect against wild animals.
Today, the breed is a popular although somewhat uncommon breed of companion dog. It is gentle and loving, but it still retains the independent nature that helped make it such a good livestock guardian. The coat does need a lot of grooming but while the Pyr does enjoy time outdoors, it doesn’t need too much exercise, certainly when compared to herding breeds.
Great Pyrenees Size and Growth Chart
The Great Pyrenees is classed as a giant breed that has a lifespan of around 10–12 years. Like most giant breeds, the Great Pyrenees take longer to fully mature, and yours might not reach their full size and weight until they are about 2 years old.
The male is bigger and heavier than the female and the actual size varies from one dog to the next, but below are the kinds of size you can expect from your big pup.
| Age | Weight Range | Length Range |
| 1 Month | 5–10 Pounds | 12 Inches |
| 2 Months | 10–30 Pounds | 18 Inches |
| 3 Months | 25–40 Pounds | 24 Inches |
| 6 Months | 50–80 Pounds | 36 Inches |
| 9 months | 65–95 Pounds | 42 Inches |
| 12 Months | 80–120 Pounds | 48 Inches |
| 2 Years+ | 85–125 Pounds | 50 Inches |
When Does a Great Pyrenees Stop Growing?
Like a lot of giant dog breeds, the Great Pyrenees breed is slow to mature, which means it can take a long time before your pup stops growing. While most breeds will have stopped growing by the time they reach 12 months, the Great Pyrenees can continue to grow until they reach two years of age.
Factors Affecting the Size of the Great Pyrenees
Different dogs grow and develop at different rates, and while some of it does come down to genetics, some factors can influence how big your dog will grow:
- Diet – Always ensure that you are feeding an appropriate diet, especially for a dog of this size. Choose a food that is formulated to match the age and activity levels of your dog, as well as being a complete meal. Feed according to target size, if your dog needs to lose or gain weight, and always follow veterinary guidelines above any others.
- Health – Some illnesses and conditions can cause slow growth, while others might cause additional weight gain. If you notice your Pyr has put on or lost a lot of weight in a short time, consult a vet and have them check for any potential illnesses that might have caused this change.
- Exercise – Exercise helps dogs develop properly. It also enables them to maintain a healthy weight and prevents some musculoskeletal problems. The Great Pyrenees need around an hour of exercise per day. Although it doesn’t need overly strenuous exercise, it will benefit from getting out on long hikes and can handle rough terrain.
Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
The Great Pyrenees need a healthy diet that includes high-quality protein as well as a good selection of vitamins and minerals. Meat protein is a common choice for dogs, easy to digest and has a good range of amino acids and other nutrients. They also get a lot of nutrients from vegetables and fruits.
Treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet by calorie intake. So, if you’re using healthy treats for training, keep track of how many you feed and adjust your dog’s dietary intake accordingly. Alternatively, you can use kibble and other foods as training treats and reduce daily intake by how much you feed.
As long as you feed a nutritionally complete diet, and they are healthy, your Pyrenees shouldn’t need supplements.
Whether you feed dry kibble or canned food, follow the feeding guidelines to ensure you don’t overfeed. Overfeeding will mean your dog puts on extra weight, and once it is on, it is very difficult to shed.
How to Measure Your Great Pyrenees
One of the most common ways to weigh a dog is to weigh yourself on bathroom scales with and without the dog. The difference between the two weights is your dog’s weight. However, this isn’t feasible with a 120-pound adult Great Pyrenees.
The vet will likely weigh your dog when you visit, and if they don’t, you can ask to have them weighed. The groomer you use might also offer access to a weighing scale that can be used for this purpose.
To measure the length of your dog, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Try to keep the measure as straight as possible and ensure your dog is stood upright in a natural position to get a true reading. The height of a dog is measured from the floor to the withers or the shoulder blades, and your dog should stand naturally when taking this measurement, too.
Conclusion
The Great Pyrenees is a massive dog breed that can weigh 120 pounds or more. It is a kind, affectionate, gentle breed, but prospective owners will need to make allowances for the size of the dog.
It will take up a lot of room on the couch and can fill a lot of your bed, and the independent nature of this guarding dog breed means that it can be somewhat challenging to train, so start training early and speak to a vet if you’re concerned with your dog’s size either because it is too small or it has put on a lot of weight in a short time.
Featured Image Credit: Paolo Seimandi, Shutterstock
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