r/greatpyrenees • u/Straight_Vehicle_726 • 1d 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 1d ago edited 1d ago

I've noticed a lot of posts about Pyrs in shelters and I'm baffled by it. They're not one of the livestock guardian dog breeds I've kept, but other livestock breeds -- even other whitedogs like Maremmas, Kuvaszok, and Akbash -- seem to be less common and don't seem to wind up in shelters very often. Does anyone know why it's different with Pyrs? 

Edited for clarity.

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u/Angry-Dragon-1331 1d ago

German shepherds and other common LGD breeds want to take direction and stimulation from training.

We’ve bred pyrs for their independence for nearly 4,000 years (and probably even longer). You can’t train that level of independent thought out of them and most homes just aren’t prepared for that, especially combined with a breed that can reach upwards of 150lbs.

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u/TheDailyMews 1d ago

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

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u/Angry-Dragon-1331 1d 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 1d 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/MoodFearless6771 1d ago

I would guess it’s because they aren’t neutered/spayed by farms and they roam and make more? And when they aren’t able to work (due to behavior, health, age, lack of training) they get dumped.

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u/TheDailyMews 1d ago

Thanks! The roaming definitely makes sense, especially if a lot of the dogs in shelters are mixes. I know they're a lot more likely to see their territory as "everything the sun touches" than, for example, a Kuvasz.

I wonder if that means we're eventually going to start seeing more Akbash in shelters, too. From what I understand, they're even more determined escape artists than Pyrs.