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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+7
Dogs
# The Pyrenean Mountain Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
France
A great gentle and deterrent protector, loyal to its family and built for wide open spaces.
Size GiantLife expectancy 10–12 yearsBudget ≈ €183/monthPuppy €900 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 40](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=pyrenean-mountain-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Natural protector: He instinctively watches over his family and his territory with calm and determination.
- Gentle with his own: Despite his impressive size, he is generally affectionate and steady on a daily basis.
- Very well suited to the cold: His abundant coat and hardiness make him a dog at ease in cool climates.
- Not well-suited to apartment living: Its large size and need for space make life in a small home difficult.
- Demanding training: Its independence requires a consistent framework and serious socialization from an early age.
- Coat maintenance: Brushing must be regular and becomes more intensive during shedding periods.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- House with large grounds: He thrives best in a spacious environment where he can observe and move around freely.
- Present and structured family: He appreciates a stable home life with clear reference points and regular interactions.
- Owner accustomed to large dogs: His size, strength and independence are better suited to an experienced person.
Not recommended for
- Dense urban living: Crowding, noise and lack of space do not suit its profile well.
- First dog without guidance: Its independent temperament can unsettle a novice who lacks method.
- Very hot climates: Prolonged heat is less well tolerated and requires constant adjustments.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
73 cmPyrenean Mountain Dog
- Height at the withers
- 65–80 cm
- Weight
- 50–64 kg
- Coat
- Long, dense
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- France
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Chien de montagne des Pyrénées, often called Patou, is a very ancient breed established for centuries in the Pyrenean massif. Selected for the protection of herds against predators, it has established itself through its courage, its power and its autonomy. Over time, it has also been used for guarding homes and appreciated in aristocratic circles, notably under Louis XIV. Its standard was structured at the end of the 19th century then registered in France in 1923, before definitive recognition by the FCI in 1955.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Chien de montagne des Pyrénées is a very large dog with a powerful build, harmonious and elegant. Its head remains proportionate to the body, with almond-shaped eyes with a gentle and intelligent expression, small triangular ears and a long, well-feathered tail. Its coat is fairly long, supple, flat and dense, with an abundant undercoat that protects it well from the cold. The coat is most often white, sometimes marked with light grey, pale yellow or orange patches on the head, the ears, the base of the tail or a few areas of the body.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Calm without being sluggish, affectionate with his own and naturally protective, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog stands out for a great nobility of character. He often shows himself reserved with strangers, but deeply gentle with his family and generally very patient with children. His past as a livestock guardian gives him a real capacity for decision and a certain independence, which explains his temperament that is at once tender, vigilant and self-assured.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This dog needs space, stable reference points and a consistent family life to thrive. He likes to observe, patrol and stay attentive to his environment, especially outdoors. Long outings, walks in nature and moderate activities suit him well, whereas dense urban life and restricted spaces suit him much less. He tolerates cold very well thanks to his abundant coat, but heat requires greater vigilance.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog must be early, regular and calm. It is an intelligent dog, endowed with an excellent memory, but also with a real autonomy of thought, which requires firm, consistent handling without brutality. Socialization from the youngest age is essential to channel its natural distrust of strangers and promote good relationships with other animals. With a clear framework and fair requests, it becomes a reliable and pleasant companion.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Pyrenean Mountain Dog
The purchase price varies mainly depending on the seriousness of the breeding, the pedigree, the screenings carried out on the breeding dogs and the quality of the follow-up offered. For a breed of this size, you must also anticipate a regular maintenance budget higher than that of an average dog.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-mountain-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is an overall robust breed, well adapted to harsh conditions, but its large size requires careful joint and digestive monitoring. As with many giant dogs, growth, weight and exercise pace strongly influence long-term comfort. Serious veterinary follow-up and rigorous breeding selection remain essential.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-mountain-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog needs good-quality food, suited to large or very large dogs and to its activity level. Digestion must remain a priority, with well-structured meals and particular attention to growth in the young dog.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-mountain-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The nickname Patou is widely used in France to refer to the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, especially in its traditional role as a protector of herds. The breed has also entered the popular imagination thanks to Belle, the large white female dog from Belle and Sébastien, which has lastingly associated this dog with an image of quiet strength and loyalty.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Pyrenean Mountain Dog suitable for apartment living?
No, this is not a breed naturally suited to apartment living. Its size, its need for space and its guardian temperament fit much better with a house with a secure outdoor area.
### Is it close to children?
Yes, it is generally gentle, patient and protective with the children of its family when it is well socialized and properly supervised.
### Is it easy to train?
Its intelligence is real, but its independence requires consistent, early and firm training without brutality. It is not the easiest choice for a first dog.
## Find a Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes8](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders in Occitanie7](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/occitanie) [Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders in Hauts-de-France5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/hauts-de-france) [Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders in Pays de la Loire4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/pays-de-la-loire) [Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/bourgogne-franche-comte) [Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/nouvelle-aquitaine)
### Pyrenean Mountain Dog breeders by country
[40 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog) [22 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/germany) [15 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/italy) [5 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/netherlands) [4 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/austria) [4 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/spain) [2 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Belgium](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/belgium) [2 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Czechia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/czechia) [2 breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/finland) [1 breeder of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog/croatia)
[All breeders of Pyrenean Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Pyrenean Mountain Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-mountain-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[Pyrenean Mastiff
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-mastiff)
[Pyrenean Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-shepherd)
[Spanish Mastiff
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-mastiff)
[Dogue de Bordeaux
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dogue-de-bordeaux)
[Anatolian Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/anatolian-shepherd-dog)
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