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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+8
Dogs
# The Pyrenean Shepherd: temperament, price, health, and breeders
France
A small lively, loyal and tireless Pyrenean shepherd, as intelligent as he is attached to his family.
Size MediumLife expectancy 15–17 yearsBudget ≈ €85/monthPuppy €300 – €800
[Find a breeder 41](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=pyrenean-shepherd)
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 Fair
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Lively intelligence: He learns quickly and excels in activities requiring initiative and precision.
- Loyalty: Very attached to his family, he seeks closeness and willingly takes part in household life.
- Agility: His small athletic build and endurance make him an excellent canine sports partner.
- Vigilance: Attentive to his environment, he effectively signals the arrival of a stranger.
- Frequent barking: His vigilance and excitability can make him very vocal without learning calm.
- High activity needs: A sedentary life encourages boredom and undesirable behaviors.
- Reserved with strangers: Early socialization is necessary to avoid excessive wariness.
- Strong-willed temperament: His sense of initiative requires consistent and regular training.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active person: He enthusiastically accompanies regular walks, hikes and sporting activities.
- Family with plenty of time: He appreciates human presence, games and a daily life rich in interactions.
- Dog sports enthusiast: His intelligence and agility are suited to agility, obedience and herding work.
- Home with a secure garden: An outdoor space makes his daily exercise easier without replacing walks.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary household: Its energy and need for stimulation are incompatible with minimal outings.
- Person often absent: Very attached to its owner, it may cope poorly with long periods of isolation.
- Owner looking for a quiet dog: It naturally tends to bark to alert or express its excitement.
- Beginner without guidance: Its liveliness and assertive temperament can be difficult to channel without a method.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
43 cmPyrenean Shepherd
- Height at the withers
- 38–48 cm
- Weight
- 8–15 kg
- Coat
- Long, woolly, smooth or slightly wavy
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- France
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Pyrenean Shepherd in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Long confined to the Pyrenean valleys, the Berger des Pyrénées worked alongside shepherds to drive and watch over the flocks. Its robustness, agility and intelligence earned it a solid local reputation before the breed became known at the beginning of the 20th century. During the First World War, some individuals were used as messenger dogs and valued for their reliability. The first official standards were established in the 1920s. Two breeds are today distinguished under this common name: the long-haired Berger des Pyrénées, the most widespread, and the smooth-faced Berger des Pyrénées.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
Small, light and nervous dog without being fragile, the Berger des Pyrénées has a solid bone structure and lean musculature. Its triangular head, very expressive dark brown eyes and short, triangular and mobile ears reinforce its constantly alert look. The body has a solid back, a chest reaching down to elbow level and a short, sloping croup. The tail, set low and well furnished, often ends in a hook. The coat can be woolly, smooth or slightly wavy, with fawn, grey, brindle, black or blue mottled with black coats.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Intelligent, strong-willed, courageous and very loyal, the Pyrenean Shepherd is deeply attached to its owner. Its natural vigilance and its reserve toward strangers make it a good watchdog. Lively and playful, it generally appreciates children when interactions are respectful. Its assertive temperament, its tendency to take initiative and its herding instinct nevertheless require careful socialization and a consistent framework.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Always alert, this small herding dog needs an active life and regular company. He likes to take part in his household’s activities, learn and expend energy, with at least a good hour each day of walks and varied exercises. City life remains possible if his physical and mental needs are truly met, but a house with a secure outdoor space suits him better. Not very independent, he copes poorly with a life that is too sedentary or isolated and can become very vocal if he lacks activity.
Training
## Training and socialization
Training must start early, with progressive socialization to people, dogs, other animals and varied environments. Quick to understand but sometimes willful, the Berger des Pyrénées responds better to a firm, consistent and kind method than to coercion. Short, dynamic and rewarded sessions maintain its motivation. Recall, management of barking, calmness and giving up deserve particular attention from the youngest age.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Pyrenean Shepherd
The purchase price varies depending on the reputation of the breeding kennel, the quality of the bloodline, the screenings carried out on the breeding dogs, the pedigree and the puppy’s intended purpose. A low price should never replace checking the breeding conditions and the health documents.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-shepherd/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Pyrenean Shepherd is generally robust and rarely falls ill when it receives a balanced diet, sufficient activity and regular preventive care. Its greediness nevertheless requires monitoring portions and body condition. As with any breed, certain hereditary or orthopedic conditions justify a careful choice of breeder and appropriate screenings.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-shepherd/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
Despite its energy, the Pyrenean Shepherd is satisfied with moderate quantities. A complete, digestible ration adapted to its age, its weight, its activity level and its physiological status helps support its musculature while avoiding excess weight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-shepherd/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Berger des Pyrénées is sometimes called Labrit, although this name has been used variably depending on the regions. Despite its small size, it was selected for demanding work in the mountains and stands out for its agility. During the First World War, representatives of the breed served as messenger dogs. The designation commonly covers two breeds recognized separately, the long-haired variety and the smooth-faced one.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Pyrenean Shepherd
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Pyrenean Shepherd suitable for a family with children?
Yes, it is generally affectionate, loyal, and playful with children, provided it has been well socialized and that interactions are supervised and respectful.
### Can it live in an apartment?
It can adapt to an apartment if its owner provides enough outings, exercise, and mental stimulation every day. However, its energy and barking make a house with a garden more comfortable.
### How much exercise does it need?
You should plan for at least a good hour of daily activity, supplemented with games, training, or a suitable dog sport to channel its energy.
### Does the Pyrenean Shepherd shed a lot?
Shedding is moderate. Weekly brushing, more frequent during shedding periods, helps remove dead hair and prevent tangles.
## Find a Pyrenean Shepherd breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Pyrenean Shepherd breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/nouvelle-aquitaine) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Pays de la Loire5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/pays-de-la-loire) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Grand Est5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/grand-est) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Occitanie4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/occitanie) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Hauts-de-France4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/hauts-de-france) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Brittany3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/brittany) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/bourgogne-franche-comte) [Pyrenean Shepherd breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/auvergne-rhone-alpes)
### Pyrenean Shepherd breeders by country
[41 breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd) [38 breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/germany) [4 breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/finland) [3 breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/austria) [3 breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/denmark) [2 breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/switzerland) [1 breeder of Pyrenean Shepherd in Czechia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/czechia) [1 breeder of Pyrenean Shepherd in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd/italy)
[All breeders of Pyrenean Shepherd in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd)
## Ready to welcome a Pyrenean Shepherd?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pyrenean-shepherd)
## Discover other breeds
[Picardy Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/picardy-shepherd)
[Briard
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/briard)
[Beauceron
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/beauceron)
[Berger de Savoie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/berger-de-savoie)
[Pyrenean Mountain Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-mountain-dog)
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