Pyrenean Mastiff
History
The origin of the Pyrenean Mastiff dates back some 3000 years, when the Ancient Phoenicians and Sumerians arrived in the Iberian Peninsula and brought with them their molasser dogs, many of which they would use for trade. From there, several modern day dogs have descended, including the Spanish Mastiff, the Estrela Mountain Dog, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog and the Pyrenean Mastiff. The Pyrenean Mastiff’s story evolved in a region of Spain is known as Aragon, and the area around and including the Spanish Pyrenees.
In 1659 with the signing of the treaty of the Pyrenees, between Spain and France, a new border was created. The French, on their side, developed their version of the dog, the modern day Pyrenean Mountain Dog, and the Spanish kept their dog relatively unchanged, and more typically a mastiff the modern day Pyrenean Mastiff. After a series of tragedies in Spain at the beginning of the 20th century the numbers of Pyrenean Mastiffs rapidly declined. The First World War, The Outbreak of the Spanish Flu, the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War left much of Spain in poverty and people were unable to maintain and care, for such large dogs and the population of Pyrenean Mastiffs was decimated.
Not until the 1970s, when a man by the name of Rafael Malo Alcrudo, along with the help of a couple of his friends, decided to attempt to save the Breed from extinction. They began a journey and undertaking perhaps unmatched in any other breed. The best, of type, examples were used from the farms and shepherds in the region to begin a new focused gene pool, and along with the help of the RSCE, were able to register these examples. Today there are still only a few thousand registered examples worldwide, but numbers, along with their popularity, are steadily increasing.
Characteristics
The Pyrenean Mastiff is a giant dog. Males should exceed 31.5 inches to the shoulder and regularly weigh in excess of 90 KG once fully grown. The females, although smaller, should still be greater than 29.5inches to the shoulder and normally weigh 60 KG and above. They are incredibly laid back dogs and make fantastic family members. Although they are giant in size they do not require large amounts of exercise to burn off energy. They are content to lounge around the house or garden. These dogs have been bred for centuries to protect their flock from threats, and that means their family too. But the Pyrenean Mastiff has an inherent ability to distinguish between welcome visitors and unwanted guests. They are gentle giants but a formidable force if their charge is in danger. They have a sonorous bark, but don’t tend to be very vocal, only when necessary. Around children and smaller animals they are very aware of their size and power and are careful not to be boisterous. As part of their nature they can be independent thinkers, as would be needed during the transhumance, moving their flocks from the mountains to lower grounds. Although they are incredibly intelligent, this independence can mean they sometimes choose when to follow instruction.
Health
For a giant breed, the Pyrenean Mastiff has a long life expectancy, on average over 10 years. As with many large and giant breed dogs they can suffer with hip dysplasia. Because of the limited gene pool it is advised that any good examples of the breed that suffer with hip dysplasia are only bred to dogs with good and excellent conformity of the hips. Elbows should also be scored to check for abnormalities.
Degenerative Myelopathy has been found to be present in some lines in the USA, so it is recommended this is also tested for as a precaution.
Loading