Pyrenean Shepherd
- Medium
- Herding Group
- Popularity rank 191
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a lean, lively, medium-sized French herder that is active, affectionate, and enthusiastic. It weighs 15 to 30 pounds, needs regular movement and work, and often lives 15 to 17 years.
- Height
- 15 to 21
- inches at the shoulder
- Males 15.5 to 21, females 15 to 20.5 in
- Weight
- 15 to 30
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 15 to 17
- years, median 16
- Senior from
- 12
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Active, affectionate, enthusiastic
- Coat
- Rough, Smooth, medium
- Origin
- France
- Recognized
- 2009
2015: rank 176, 2016: rank 176, 2017: rank 180, 2018: rank 181, 2019: rank 184, 2020: rank 182, 2021: rank 192, 2022: rank 190, 2023: rank 187, 2024: rank 188, 2025: rank 191
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a tough, lean, lively herder from France, known for vigorous, free-flowing movement. This sinewy, rectangular, medium-sized breed comes in many colors and patterns, with dark, almond-shaped eyes that give the face an alert, cunning expression.
The breed comes in two coat varieties. Rough-faced dogs carry profuse, windswept hair above the muzzle and a generally harsh coat. Smooth-faced dogs have short facial hair, a finer coat, and a slightly longer, pointier muzzle.
By temperament, the Pyrenean Shepherd is active, affectionate, and enthusiastic, staying closely connected to the people it lives with. The breed belongs to the Herding Group and was recognized in 2009.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family5 out of 5
- Good with young children3 out of 5
- Good with other dogs3 out of 5
- Openness to strangers3 out of 5
- Playfulness5 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature5 out of 5
- Adaptability4 out of 5
- Trainability5 out of 5
- Energy level5 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs5 out of 5
- Barking level4 out of 5
- Shedding3 out of 5
- Grooming frequency2 out of 5
- Drooling2 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
Feed a Pyrenean Shepherd puppy a growth diet until skeletal maturity, typically around one year for small and medium-size dogs. Around one year is a guide; the exact timing depends on the individual dog.
Use both weight and body condition when judging portions: you should be able to feel the ribs beneath minimal fat covering, see a waist from above, and see an abdominal tuck from the side. Ask your veterinarian to verify your assessment and adjust the feeding plan if weight or body condition changes. Count treats in the daily total and keep them to no more than 10 percent of calories.
Change foods gradually over several meals. Keep fresh water available at all times. If you choose a home-prepared diet, ask a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate it.
Grooming
The Pyrenean Shepherd has a medium-length double coat, with a soft undercoat and a protective outer coat made up of straight and short to moderately long hair.
Brush once a week to keep the coat free of mats and tangles. The harsh outer coat may shed a fair amount, while the soft undercoat mats easily, so a pin brush helps remove dead undercoat and reduce shedding. You can comb the coat out and let it grow, or cord it.
Trim the nails, clean the ears, and provide dental care regularly with at-home brushing and professional cleanings.
Exercise
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a high-energy dog, always on alert and ready for action. Plenty of activity and a job to do are essential to the breed's mental, emotional, and physical health.
Many no longer get to do the work they were bred for, herding livestock, so they channel that energy into other challenges. Walking, hiking, swimming, and other outdoor adventures all help burn off energy.
Pyrenean Shepherds can join obedience, agility, and lure coursing for physical and mental exercise.
Training
The Pyrenean Shepherd is smart, energetic, and highly trainable. These dogs strive to please and have an intuitive read on their owner's wishes, responding enthusiastically to clicker training and other positive, reward-based methods.
They love games and chances for intense activity, and they make strong candidates for agility, rally, obedience, dock diving, freestyle work, and most fun dog sports. The breed herds with the body rather than with eye contact, the way some other breeds do.
Teaching basic commands and new tricks provides the mental stimulation that keeps this breed happy and well-adjusted.
Health conditions
4 conditions are documented for the Pyrenean Shepherd.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Cleft Lip and/or Cleft PalateOral & Dental
- Dental MalocclusionOral & Dental
- Hip DysplasiaBone & Joint
- Merle Ocular DysgenesisEye
Sources
- American Kennel Club: Pyrenean Shepherd
- Wisdom Panel: Pyrenean Shepherd Dog
- RACP: Pyrenean Shepherd Puppy Guide, Nutrition (p. 7)
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