Golden Pyrenees

70-110 lbs
24-30"
United States
Golden Retriever
Great Pyrenees
Great Pytreiver

A golden giant of a dog, the Golden Pyrenees is loving and affectionate dog. Because of their sheer size and energy this dog is not suited to living in an apartment. They are best in a house with a securely fenced yard. They do need an owner who is firm and can handle them, otherwise they can become stubborn and will do what they want, not what you want. The Golden Pyrenees is usually gentle and caring and they love to play with anyone or other animals who will give them the time. They can be a little wary of strangers, and may bark to let you know that someone is around. Soft, fluffy and in need of daily exercise, they require an owner who is strong, firm, active and has the time to give these beautiful dogs the attention they deserve.

purpose Purpose
Companion, Obedience Trials
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees

Golden Pyrenees Health

Average Size
Male Golden Pyrenees size stats
Height: 24-30 inches Weight: 80-115 lbs
Female Golden Pyrenees size stats
Height: 24-30 inches Weight: 70-110 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • vonWillebrand’s Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Congenital Eye Defects
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Bloat
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Blood Tests
  • Ophthalmic Exam
  • Buccal Mucosal Screening
  • Full Physical Examination

Golden Pyrenees Breed History

It is easy to see where the Golden Pyrenees got his great temperament by looking to the parent dog breed history. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the world. It was originally bred to retrieve game for the hunter, and it has been involved in many careers in its long history. They excel at guiding, detection work, tracking, and as an obedience competitor. The one thing they don’t do well is professional guard dog – they are way too friendly! It is accepted after much debate that the breed was developed by the first Lord Tweedmouth. Retrievers had existed for many years in the Border Country between England and Scotland, and as he really liked the golden or ‘yellow’ breeds he used them exclusively to develop the Golden Retriever. It was in 1920 that they officially took their present name (having been called Flatcoats previously). Then in 1925 the Golden Retriever became officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Moving onto the Great Pyrenees, this substantial looking dog was once used as a guard dog to protect the flocks against wolves. The breed comes from the Pyrenean mountain range in France. Their history pre-dates back centuries even to the Bronze Age (1800 -1000 BC). The French nobility are said to have ‘discovered’ the breed before the revolution and resided in many of the great Chateaux. They were named the dog of France by Louis XIV. During the Second World War, these dogs were messenger dogs, carrying important documents and packs for the French troops. This noble dog was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933.

Golden Pyrenees Breed Appearance

The Golden Pyrenees has a regal stance, with a well-proportioned body that is slightly longer than it is high. With a deep chest, strong straight forelegs, and possessing a fantastic fluffy tail, it is hard to resist their appeal. The head is slightly rounded at the top with floppy ears and a rich black nose with wide nostrils. There is often a ruff of fur around the throat, and its coat is thick and dense with soft feathering on the legs. The eyes are almond shaped and deep in color, very expressive and alert. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. A large dog that is devoted to family and friendly with other dogs and pets, they will be a fun-loving member of the household.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Golden Pyrenees eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Golden Pyrenees nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Golden Pyrenees coat
Black
brown Golden Pyrenees coat
Brown
cream Golden Pyrenees coat
Cream
gray Golden Pyrenees coat
Gray
white Golden Pyrenees coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Golden Pyrenees straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Golden Pyrenees Breed Maintenance

The Golden Pyrenees has a very thick and soft coat, lovely to the touch but it does require extra grooming to keep it from matting and tangling. While their coat may not be as thick as their Great Pyrenees parent, it will require daily brushing to keep it soft and silky. They don’t require regular bathing, only when it really needs it or it may lose the natural oils from the coat. Other maintenance issues to address are trimming of the nails, and brushing the teeth to maintain good oral hygiene. The Golden Pyrenees will love all the attention and will obligingly let you groom them to perfection.

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Brushes for Golden Pyrenees
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Comb
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Golden Pyrenees requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Golden Pyrenees Temperament

The Golden Pyrenees takes a lot of its personality from its parents - their gentle loving nature and love of play from the Golden Retriever, and the affectionate and almost puppy like enthusiasm even when mature from the Great Pyrenees. This is a big dog that requires a strong owner, with an abundance of energy which requires burning off. They make good watchdogs and are protective of the family, but they are also a little bit stubborn and practise ‘selective deafness’ when they have other plans and you let them get away with it. A firm leader will earn their respect and obedience. The Golden Pyrenees is a calm happy dog, but because of its size can be a bit overpowering for young children. They can be boisterous and knock them over, so supervision at all times is needed until the children are old enough to cope with their gentle giant friend.

Golden Pyrenees Activity Requirements

This dog needs to have regular daily exercise to keep fit and healthy. It will also help to keep them within a healthy weight range, as they can easily put on excess weight. Play activities can be anything from chasing after a ball, to a game of tug of war. A romp with other dogs in the secure dog park will assist with socialising your dog and he will learn to accept other dogs and people with good grace. They do not tolerate extreme heat well with their thick coat so exercise in the coolest part of the day is best.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
120 minutes
activity minutes

Golden Pyrenees Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
4 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$2.75 - $3.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$80.00 - $90.00
food bag monthly cost

Golden Pyrenees Owner Experiences

Lily
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
Rope
Completely food oriented. Will only respond to my commands if she gets a treat after.
1 year, 3 months ago
Bambi
1 Year
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Walk
cuddle
Hike
Bambi is the sweetest high energy dog, who loves attention and cuddles, always wants to play, loves going outside and is friendly with other people and other dogs. She is a great companion!
1 year, 7 months ago
Theodore
9 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch in the pond
Hiking
Running
Theodore is a great pup, he's stubborn when he wants to be but listens rather well when compared to his siblings. He's very affectionate but also protective of the property and will let you know if you don't belong on it. All around an absolutely wonderful dog.
5 years, 4 months ago
Buddy Big Boy
7 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He is the smartest dog. When he is happy he snaps his teeth and jumps around
3 years, 1 month ago
Abby
11 Weeks
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Nice dog with calm nature .
3 years ago
Bentley
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Mild hiking
Our 135 lbs Golden Pyrenees Bentley is amazing! Wonderful, attentive,loving, friendly but at the same time very Great Pyrenees: protective. No aggressive only very aware of surroundings, especially when walking with us, he loves to shows that nothing intimidates him, so always calm. Lazy and lay back so you need a lot of patience with them. And, as you said he does have "selective deafness", it's really funny the way he looked at us when we call him, we never know if he will obey or decide give us "the look" which means: "I will go when I want to and you cannot make me, I am a big and heavy baby".
2 years, 11 months ago
Matylda
13 Weeks
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Matylda loves all kids that come to our house. She gets along great with our older chihuahua and our cat. Walking gets her so tired, she takes about 5 hr nap after:) Eats twice a day. Snack on carrots and celery. Also likes apples and cucumbers. She had learned to sit and wait. To shake and for the most part the quiet command is effective;) We are working on recognizing toy vs other chewables. She is a joy and a real eye candy. Loves water and the tasting of other dog’s poop is subsiding 😆
2 years, 11 months ago
Gertie
14 Weeks
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hiking
Very friendly, wants to meet all dogs, kids, adults. Ok with free range chickens, doesn’t attack them, sometimes chases them though. Slight separation anxiety- hasn’t been left alone much.
2 years, 11 months ago
Sammie
10 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Sammie has been an amazing addition to our house. She has incredible energy but also just loves being around us. She is very attentive and anxious to learn new things, and to make us proud of her. She loves anyone that will pet her and puts her paws on your shoulders if you ask her for a hug. She really is a big lovable sweetheart.
2 years, 7 months ago
Sully
1 Year
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Our Sully is very playful and never meets a stranger. He's very affectionate and a bit spoiled.I totally agree with the "selective deafness" & stubborness. He was easy to potty train but stubborn with anything else we've tried. Def a watchful ear & eye for our household, though I don't think he'll be much of a guard dog because of his friendliness.
2 years, 2 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - My pet
Question

I have a golden pyrenees that has developed diabetes, at one point he was 82 pounds, now I have been told he should weigh only 50 pounds. He looks like he is starving at the 63 that he now weighs since being put on the Hills science diet w/d. I can't get a straight answer to how much he should weigh he is approximately 25 to 28 inches tall.

Answer
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - New pet
Question

Hi Hoping to see what could be the advantages of having a golden Pyrenees, pup ? Thank you so much

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Book me a walkiee?
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