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 pretty daunting, but in fact they can be very affectionate family members and companions for children.

The ancestors of the Pyrenean Mastiff are the ancient Molossos that existed 4,000 years ago. After some time, the dogs were brought to the Iberian Peninsula on the initiative of Phoenician traders. Ancestors of the breed, settled in Spain, interbred with the Pyrenean mountain dogs and Spanish mastiffs, as a result of which they received their unique characteristics. For a long time, the mastiff was valued as an excellent guard, as well as a good shepherd.

This strong and physically resilient animal could always resist predators such as bears and wolves. But at the same time, representatives of this breed with particular attention and kindness treated ungulates, which were grazed.

As participants of the Madrid exhibition, the dogs of this breed were represented 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 decreased dramatically.

Amateur breeders decided to save the breed from extinction by combining their strength and capabilities. Their work was productive, and in the second half of the last century, the animal began to take part in shows. In 1977, the Pyrenean Mastiff Club, in which breeders from all over the world collaborated, begins its active work. The breed standard was approved and adopted by the world community in 1981. To date, the Pyrenean Mastiff - a breed with a small number of representatives, it is still being developed and improved.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a large breed of working dogs. These are noble, dignified animals that have good hearts. They are ready at any moment to stand up for the flock or man.

Pyrenean mastiffs are safe guardians and companions for humans. In relation to all family members, he shows calm and friendliness. For this animal, only one person is considered the master, but he can obey everyone who lives next to him. The dog treats children with great care and caution, it patiently responds to their pranks.

This creature likes to spend time with people, preferring active entertainment, but will never impose itself and can come for a long time in solitude. Despite the fact that the externally Pyrenean mastiff may seem phlegmatic, in fact it is characterized by dexterity, agility, outstanding mental abilities, but only when necessary. The modern representative of this breed no longer has the qualities of a wolfhound, which their ancestors previously possessed but watchdog dog performs without question.

In the daytime the dog can rest easy and watch everything that is happening around.At night, the pet wakes up a keen vigilance, with which he watches the quiet sleep of the household. Mastiff is able to memorize every living thing on the territory, while considering it his property.

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

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

• zonary, namely, yellow-sable, speckled, gray and tan;
• white with yellow or gray markings present;
• brown;
• the black;
• silver.

The breed has the following main characteristics:

• throughout the body of the animal has bristly wool, which is characterized by thickness and length;
• the head has a large size and square profile;
• the constriction of the muzzle occurs towards the nose;
• the ears are drooping, they are small;
• the nose is colored black;
• eyes are characterized by an almond shape, dark hazel color, along the contour there is an outline of a dark shade;
• the neck of the pet has a double suspension, which has the appearance of a thick mane;
• the tip of the tail is curved, usually this part of the body hangs downwards.

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

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

• croup;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• dairy products;
• a fish;
• the eggs.

Most of the meat should be given in the evening. In the winter and autumn season, pets should be given food that is half a calorie than usual. Puppies should add to the main products of minerals and vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on the skeleton and muscles of the growing body. When choosing supplements should consult a veterinarian.

When feeding with industrial feed, you should follow rules such as:

• the volume of the product must be issued strictly according to the instructions;
• Additional vitamins and minerals should not be added to the ration, as in the dry food there is everything necessary for the normal functioning of the animal;
• The pet must have free round-the-clock access to clean drinking water.

Like any other pet with large sizes, Pyrenean Mastiff requires space for vital activity and physical activity. The best option for the location of such an animal would be a private house, but not a small apartment.However, if you still have brought such a pet in the apartment, then you should take it to the countryside, where the dog will have the opportunity to run up to it.

The animal must have its own sleeping place It is not recommended to teach him to sleep near the owner in bed. Walking Mastiff required 2 times a day, by the time they should take at least 60 minutes.

An animal that lives in a country house, should not be planted on the chain, the best option for its content will be an aviary. Since the dog is clean, he will never wallow in the mud, so it is necessary to bathe him no more than twice a month. After washing, the animal should be dried so that it does not get sick. Combing the wool of the mastiff takes 1 time for 7 days, and during the molt daily.

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

Since the Pyrenean Mastiff is an intelligent and intelligent animal, its training will not cause any difficulties. However, for the education of an obedient pet owner will have to spend time, patience and strength. Do not forget that each team must be repeated and consolidated, even if the dog has already grown. By passing the time, the animal will be able to make decisions independently, recognizing the brother-in-law and the alien.

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

Representatives of this breed love to please their master, but from time to time they can show stubbornness. It is strictly not recommended to apply physical punishment and humiliation in relation to dogs. The best form of training will be a game form, but it is necessary to observe regularity, avoiding large gaps in time. If you wish to raise from the animal service dog is better to contact the experts.

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

The Pyrenean Mastiff is an animal that has become royal and stately gait. The dog has a fairly large size, 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 appropriate nicknames, for example, Caesar, Alpha, Felix.

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