The Pyrenean Shepherd breed dogs with a flat face are slim but muscular and have impressive speed and intelligence. His passion for his family is only matched by his passion for work, and it is critical that they have a job to do, be it a competitive dog sport or a flock of sheep to control.
Known around the world as Pyr Shep, living with these dogs is doing it with an extremely energetic being who needs his mind to be stimulated. They are dogs intended for work, either for guarding and herding herds, or for guarding dogs; but it will be able to adapt to your home.
Characteristics of the Cara Rasa Pyrenean Shepherd
Small, giving an impression of liveliness and great intelligence, the Pyrenean Shepherd is a constantly alert dog. There are two breeds under this name: the more common long-haired Pyrenean Shepherd and the short-faced Pyrenean Shepherd. If he can appear cold to strangers, he lets them come to him. His main will is to protect his master and his adoptive family. Therefore, it is ideal for a single human being or a family with children. He wants to be an excellent playmate for the little ones.
Physical Appearance
The Pyrenean Shepherd comes in two varieties, rough-faced and smooth-faced. Both varieties can be born in the same litter. Rough-faced ones have long or medium hair that is flat or slightly wavy, with a rough texture. The hair at the end of the muzzle and chin is naturally short, with longer hair gathered on the sides of the muzzle and cheeks, giving the dog a windy appearance.
This is a dog of many colors, and they can be a fawn shade ranging from tan to copper, with or without a mixture of black hairs; various shades of gray; Blue merle; mottled; black; and black with white markings on no more than 30 percent of the body.
Personality
He is a brave dog, totally dedicated to his master. The Pyrenean Shepherd is a volunteer and generally a good training is necessary to channel his energy and make the most of his intelligence and liveliness. You are often suspicious of strangers, so you need socialization.
The Pyrenean Shepherd is quite small with a scoundrel air, which usually has the result of turning him into a demon dog! Never forget that it is a sheepdog designed to obey. It is essential to channel the energy of the Pyrenean Shepherd, which is considerable, to prevent it from becoming destructive.
Canine sport is fully recommended, working in a pack, tracking, agility, obedience, herding … Good education in the basic rules is just as important : walking on a leash, sitting, lying down, or keeping quiet will be commands that you must teach him.
The Pyrenean Shepherd with a flat face with children and other animals
As a good sheepdog, it is an excellent companion for the children of the house, both in their games (especially being so energetic) and in their care, since it will take them as its flock. Of course, do not be surprised to see how she shepherds them through your house from one room to another.
With Other Pets
He is a single owner dog and wants that same dedication. Therefore, unless they are formally introduced as members of his pack, he does not usually maintain good relationships with other pets. But, luckily, it is not aggressive and socialization can change that distance from other animals.
Basic Information
- Height at the withers: 40 to 48 cm.
- Weight: Modrate
- Coat: wide variety of colors and stain options.
- Average life span: 15 to 17 years.
- Character: intelligent, energetic and vigilant.
- Relationship with children: excellent.
- Relationship with other dogs: regular.
- Skills: shepherd dog, guard dog.
- Space needs: you need to run and work to do.
- Food: 150 to 200 grams per day.
- Fix: null.
- Maintenance cost: low.
Standard
FCI classification: Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs). Section 1: Sheepdogs.
Story
From humble origins, the Pyrenean shepherd was practically unknown until the beginning of the 20th century. Its type varies considerably from one valley to another, its format, its coat, can be very different, but its character and behavior do not vary. It was between 1921 and 1925 that the first standard was developed, which had not been significantly modified since then.
Originally, the Pyrenean Shepherd was an initiative-capable sheepdog because it often worked away from the shepherd in tall grasslands. During World War I, he was drafted in large numbers by the French army, which used him as a liaison dog due to his wit and keen intelligence, allowing him to flee from the enemy.
International Recognition
Although the first breed standard was approved in the 1920s, the breed was not recognized by the FCI until 1955. Its official standard was approved in French in 2001 and published in Spanish in 2005. The AKC has not yet recognized it.
Education and Training
If you ever see a Pyr Shep run an agility course, you will be amazed at the enthusiasm and speed of this small but lean and muscular sheepdog. His movement is said to “shave the ground” and, in fact, it almost looks like he’s flying. But, most importantly, it will make you understand that preparing or using those competitions and practices will be one of the best ways to educate him .
Living with a Pyrenean shepherd is facing a very energetic, intelligent and mischievous partner, whose passion for you will only be equaled by his desire to work. So you must stimulate his mind and satisfy his need for activity, challenges or some type of herd that he can take care of. You can also use toys to mentally stimulate him and prevent him from becoming destructive.
Always vigilant, he tends to distrust strangers and makes an excellent watchdog. But that means you will need to socialize him, beginning in his early teens, to ensure that his more outgoing personality develops to its full potential.
Remember that it is a stubborn and sensitive dog, so you will need perseverance in its education. This does not mean being harsh on the dog and positive reinforcement education will always give better results than any other practice.
Health
It is a really healthy dog or, due to its late recognition, many recurrent diseases are not yet known in this breed. Even so, we must be careful with some health problems. They are really resistant, and the main problems encountered, and still rarely, are skin problems generally related to lifestyle (too sedentary) and excess weight.
Overweight
Despite being a really energetic breed, the flat-faced Pyrenean Shepherd can become overweight and with diseases derived from obesity. This is because it needs few calories but is really gluttonous. Preventing him from overeating is easy if you show yourself constant and avoid having food available 24 hours a day. It is best to eat in two meals throughout the day.
Basic Care
The Pyrenean shepherd is more of a country than a city dweller. That said, he is primarily the shepherd’s dog, which means he is happier around a city dweller who takes him everywhere with him and ensures a good hour of daily exercise in a forest, than he is in the garden of a chalet where you will spend long hours alone. The least of it is solitude and, only in an apartment or in a garden, you will have every chance to become a destroyer!
Hygiene and Brushing
It is a working dog and is destined to be in the field, in its native Pyrenees, that is why it does not require great care, just a bath every six months or when it is really necessary. When having long hair, if it is good to brush it when returning from walks, to prevent fleas and ticks from hiding in its hair and can affect the health of our dog.
Feeding
The Pyrenean shepherd is a true glutton. However, food should not be administered in large quantities. In fact, you are satisfied with little so it’s really inexpensive to maintain. The high quality kibble, 150 to 200 grams per day, is enough but if you can continue eating you will and you may fall into overweight problems.
How to get a Pyrenean Shepherd with a flat face
Unfortunately, the Cara Rasa Pyrenean Shepherd Dog is not very common in Spanish homes and that makes it difficult to get a puppy outside of France. However, you can get one through experts from our country or directly from French breeders. A simple internet search will help you get in touch with them.
Other Similar Dogs
If you can’t get a clean-faced Pyrenean Shepherd dog, you may find one of similar characteristics among the following.
- Schipperke.
- Slovak Tchuvatch.
- German Shepherd .
- South Russian Shepherd Dog
- Croatian Shepherd Dog.
- Catalan Shepherd Dog .
- Belgian Shepherd
- Mallorcan Shepherd .
- Australian shepherd dog
- Pumi
- Australian Kelpie
- Beauce Shepherd .
- Komondor.
- Brie Shepherd.
- Picardy Shepherd.
- Long-haired Pyrenean Shepherd Dog.
- Kuvasz .
- Mudi .
- Puli .
- Bergamasco Shepherd .
- Sheepdog of the Maremma and Abruzzo.
- Dutch Shepherd.
- Saarloos Wolfdog.
- Dutch Schapendoes.
- Polish Plains Sheepdog .
- Polish Shepherd from Podhale.
- Portuguese Shepherd Dog.
- Old English Sheepdog.
- Border Collie.
- Long haired collie
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
- Cardigan
- Pembroke
- Romanian Shepherd from Mioritza .
- White Swiss Shepherd.
