Pyrenean Mastiff: what is this breed and how to care for it?

Pyrenean Mastiffs are considered wonderful dogs, reliable watchmen and loyal friends for humans. These large dogs look quite intimidating, but in fact they can be very affectionate family members and companions for children.

The ancestors of the Pyrenean Mastiff are considered to be the ancient molossians, which existed 4 thousand years ago. After some time, the dogs were brought to the Iberian Peninsula at the initiative of Phoenician traders. The ancestors of the breed, who settled in Spain, interbred with Pyrenean mountain dogs and Spanish mastiffs, as a result of which they received their unique characteristics. For a long time, the mastiff was appreciated as an excellent guard, as well as a good shepherd.

This strong and physically hardy animal could always withstand predators, for example, bears and wolves. But at the same time, the representatives of this breed treated the ungulates that were grazed with special attention and good nature.

Dogs of this breed were presented as participants in the Madrid show in 1980. Since that time, the Pyrenean Mastiff began to gain popularity as a pet. The breed standard was adopted in 1946. After a serious economic crisis, it became difficult for ordinary people to feed and maintain such large pets, so the number of dogs has dropped dramatically.

Amateur dog breeders decided to save the breed from extinction by joining forces and capabilities. Their work turned out to be effective, and already in the second half of the last century, the animal began to take part in shows.In 1977, the Pyrenean Mastiff Club began its active activity, in which breeders from all over the world collaborated. The breed standard was approved and accepted by the world communities in 1981. Today, the Pyrenean Mastiff is a breed with a small number of representatives, it is still being developed and improved.

The Pyrenean Mastiff belongs to large breeds of service dogs. They are noble, dignified animals that have kind hearts. They are ready to defend the herd or man at any moment.

The Pyrenean Mastiffs are reliable guardians of safety and companions for humans. In relation to all family members, he shows calmness and friendliness. For this animal, only one person is considered the owner, but he can obey everyone who lives next to him. The dog treats children with special accuracy and care, she patiently reacts to their pranks.

This creature loves to spend time with people, preferring active entertainment, but it will never impose itself and can stay alone for a long time. Despite the fact that outwardly the Pyrenean Mastiff may seem phlegmatic, in fact it is characterized by agility, agility, extraordinary mental abilities, but only when necessary. The modern representative of this breed no longer has the qualities of a wolfhound that their ancestors previously possessed, but the dog performs guard duties unquestioningly.

During the daytime, the dog can calmly rest and observe everything that is happening around. At night, the pet wakes up acute vigilance, with the help of which it watches over the calm sleep of the household. Mastiff is able to remember every living creature on the territory, while considering it his own.

Representatives of the Pyrenean Mastiff breed are characterized by a harmoniously folded, rectangular body, which is quite wide. The appearance of the animal bears a resemblance to St. Bernard. A dog has a height at the withers up to 81 cm, and a bitch - up to 75 cm. The animal weighs about 70 kilograms. The coat of this large pet is white, there is a mask on the face, the color of the ears is always darker than the main one. There may be spots on the body of the Pyrenean Mastiff, the color of which corresponds to the color of the mask - from sand to black. A tricolor, pure white coat is considered undesirable. The legs and the end of the tail of the dog are white.

According to the standard, mastiff fur can be of such colors as:

• sable, namely yellow-sable, speckled, gray-tan;
• white with yellow or gray markings present;
• Brown;
• black;
• silver.

The breed has the following main characteristics:

• throughout the body of the animal there is a bristly hair, which is characterized by density and length;
• the head is large and square in profile;
• the narrowing of the muzzle occurs towards the nose;
• ears droop, they are small in size;
• the nose is colored black;
• the eyes are characterized by an almond-shaped, dark brown color, there is a dark outline along the contour;
• the pet's neck has a double dewlap, which looks like a thick mane;
• the tip of the tail is curved, usually this part of the body hangs downward.

According to some breeders, guard dogs are unpretentious in their diet, so they can eat pasture. However, such information is not reliable, since with proper and balanced nutrition, the animal will grow and develop correctly. The owner of this large pet can give preference to both homemade food and dry food when feeding.In the first case, a person will have to constantly work on preparing food for the dog.

The animal's diet should consist of a third of meat products and meat, and it must also contain such products as:

• cereal;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• dairy products;
• a fish;
• eggs.

The main part of the meat should be given in the evening. In the winter and autumn seasons, pets should be given food that is half the calorie value of the usual one. Puppies should add minerals and vitamins to the main foods, which have a beneficial effect on the skeleton and muscles of the growing body. When choosing supplements, you should seek the advice of your veterinarian.

When eating industrial feed, you should follow such rules as:

• the volume of the product must be issued strictly according to the instructions;
• additional vitamins and minerals should not be introduced into the diet, since dry food contains everything necessary for the normal functioning of the animal;
• the pet should have free round-the-clock access to clean drinking water.

Like any other large pet, the Pyrenean Mastiff needs space for life and physical activity. The best option for keeping such an animal would be a private house, but not a small apartment. However, if you still have such a pet in the apartment, then you should take it out into nature, where the dog will have the opportunity to run around to its fullest.

The animal must have its own sleeping place, it is not recommended to teach him to sleep in bed next to the owner. The Mastiff needs walks 2 times a day, in time they should take at least 60 minutes.

An animal that lives in a country house should not be chained; an aviary will be the best option for keeping it. Since the dog is clean, he will never wallow in the mud, so you need to bathe him no more than twice a month. After washing, the animal should be dried so that it does not get sick. It is required to comb out the mastiff's wool once every 7 days, and daily during molting.

Representatives of this watch breed are characterized by good health, diseases of a genetic nature, they can not be traced. There are cases when an animal suffers from conjunctivitis, hip dysplasia. Do not forget about the timely vaccination of the Pyrenean Mastiff, since there is no innate immunity from rabies and distemper. And also the animal needs to be given prophylactic drugs against worms and fleas. With proper care, an animal can live for about 10 years.

Since the Pyrenean Mastiff is an intelligent and quick-witted animal, its training will not cause any difficulties. However, to educate an obedient pet, the owner will have to spend time, patience and strength. Do not forget that each command must be repeated and consolidated, even if the dog has already grown up. As time passes, the animal will be able to make decisions on its own, recognizing the brother-in-law and the stranger.

The puppy needs to be socialized as early as possible, only in this way an adequate, calm dog will grow out of him. Kids should be brought up from the first days of their appearance in the house, they understand the owner well and learn quickly.This pet really likes walking with the owner, at this time it is worth repeating the previously learned commands.

Representatives of this breed love to please their owner, but from time to time they can show stubbornness. It is strongly not recommended to use physical punishment and humiliation in relation to dogs. The best training option would be a game form, but at the same time it is worth observing regularity, avoiding large intervals in time. If you want to raise a service dog from an animal, it is better to contact specialists.

When buying a puppy, you should first of all pay attention to the conditions in which he developed and how his mother treated him. It is better to buy a baby in a nursery, so you can become the owner of a truly purebred pet.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is an animal that has a royal appearance and a stately gait. The dog is quite large, so people living in an apartment should think about purchasing such a pet. Due to the peculiarities of its appearance and character, the Pyrenean Mastiff deserves the appropriate nicknames, for example, Caesar, Alpha, Felix.

For how the Pyrenean Mastiff looks and how to care for it, see the next video.