Pyrenean Sheepdog (Long Haired)
Group: Pastoral
Size: Medium
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: More than once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Small or Large House
Garden size: Small/Medium
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
They are a small-medium sized dog, very slender underneath their shaggy coat. The breed standard states that the ribs should be easy to feel. Their hairy face, little semi-pricked ears and rough coat leads many people to believe they are some kind of terrier mix than a purebred.
They were bred to herd sheep in the French mountains. They are not the easiest dog to train, they are highly intelligent and knowing with a hint of mischief in their make up. Given an experienced dog-handler with the time to devote to their training, they can be an impressive dog but they are easily bored, love to bark and have a high prey drive. Care needs to be taken to properly socialise them in their early life as they can be wary of strangers. They also have a tendency to chase small mammals. They need a lot of physical and mental exercise, they are athletic and very fast.
The long coat needs regular brushing and combing. They are a generally healthy and long lived breed but it's worth checking them for hip and elbow problems and eye and hearing problems.