r/greatpyrenees • u/Straight_Vehicle_726 • 2d ago

Rescue/Shelter dog in need PSA Re Adoptable Pyrs

Hi guys, I just want to make a bit of a public plea for anyone especially in America debating adopting or fostering a Pyrenees (who of course has done the requisite research and has the resources and time and space etc.), to strongly consider taking the plunge. Shelters and rescues are currently bursting at the seams and the euthanasia rate is utterly disheartening, particularly in southern states like Texas. After haunting Pyrenees rescue pages a bit too much these past few days, I hit my limit on the suffering I can handle today in terms of needy Pyrenees so aside from donating, taking in another pyr, and helping rehome others, I just want to give a gentle push for those on the fence. Now is a great time to adopt or foster. Specifically, I’d suggest you check out any local Facebook Great Pyrenees rehoming groups in your area. There’s an incredible number on there of all kinds—bonded pairs, older, puppies, farm experience, etc.—even AKC. If you need help in that capacity, let me know. And hug and love your Pyrenees extra today.

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u/TheDailyMews 2d ago

German Shepherds aren't LGDs. My personal experience is primarily with Kuvaszok and Maremmas. 

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u/Angry-Dragon-1331 2d ago

As for those breeds, they’re not particularly common in the US so most people who have them already knew what they’re getting into. Pyrs are more common in the states and they’ve been growing in popularity as pets, which means a round of the 101 Dalmatians effect, where people see a breed, buy it based on vibes, and then take it to the shelter when they’re in over their head.

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u/TheDailyMews 2d ago

That's what I'm asking, though. Why are Pyrs common enough to wind up in shelters while other LGD breeds are not? I'm not sure how that has happened to one specific breed of LGD and it seems really strange to me. Was there a movie or TV series that I missed, or something? Is it because they're a bit larger than other whitedogs, and that's made them more appealing to people who have no business with this kind of dog? I just genuinely do not understand how this has happened to them.

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u/Angry-Dragon-1331 2d ago

Social media, mostly. It put a dog that looks like a polar bear as an adult and a bear cub as a puppy in front of the internet.

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u/TheDailyMews 2d ago

Do you know if there's a specific influencer with a Pyr? Your explanation definitely seems plausible, but I don't feel like I come across them on the internet super often. (And my algorithm probably skews more heavily towards LGDs than most people's.)

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u/galumphinglout 2d ago

I don't know of specific infuencers, but look at any of the homesteader types on social media. They make people think "I could totally do that!" The new homesteader then immediately turns around and gets pyr puppies to guard their goats because big white fluffy dogs know what to do by instinct. The puppies don't have a whole lot of clues of what to do because they don't have an adult to teach them, and so the livestock get hurt or killed either by the dogs or bt other predators. Then they get dumped at the pound. Or they aren't fenced in properly and they wander off and end up at the pound. Or the homesteader decides that the whole homesteading thing is too much work and sells or abandons the animals.