Good with small dogs?

by Christina
(Kentucky)

I have several small dogs (from 4-12 lbs) and am considering getting a Pyr as well. All of my dogs are female and I want a female Pyr. Would this be a problem even though my dogs are small and not the same breed?

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Aug 28, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		i would say not
by: Anonymous

I would say not but I might think a puppy or young one would suit you best. Since Pyrenees have guarded small animals for centuries it is in there DNA. I would assume you other doggies should become his charges and he would assume a gaurdien role.

You will be surprised of the gentle side these wonderful dogs have and hopefully never have to see him or her in action. Many people who have them can't believe they have a other side but they all have the ability to protect and only use the amount of force need to end the conflict. From simple barking to a fight to the death to protect his family. But they do not attack unprovoked.
Aug 28, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Small Dogs
by: Donna

How many dogs do you have? It's difficult enough to care for 3 dogs. I can't imagine having more than that.

They are usually good with small dogs. But, like with any dog, there is no guarantee. If it is a high ranked dog, there is usually no problem. They are secure enough in themselves that they don't need to lash out at other dogs.

Please do your research on this breed before going to a reputable breeder (or adopting). They are not the breed for most people.

The USA has rescues and shelters full of this breed because no one spayed or neutered, they thought having pups would be cute, and, they didn't do their research and, oops, the dog became really big, they wander and they bark. Thousands are euthanized.

They required weekly grooming. Do NOT shave a double-coated dog as it provides an insultation in summer and winter.

They bark more than most breeds and this can result in complaints from neighbours. It is an instinct in order to warn potential predators away. That includes butterflies.

They are independent thinkers so they only do things you ask of them if it is worth their while.

They need at least a 6-foot securely fenced yard or they will escape. It's their instinct to roam. Tie outs are not acceptable since they can become aggressive if not allowed to patrol their entire fenced territory.

They must be walked on leash since they will not stay with you.

They love to dig in the garden in order stay cool in summer.

Read about this breed here:

https://www.great-pyrenees-club-of-southern-ontario.com/Great-Pyrenees.html

It's more information than you asked for, but I'm replying assuming you may not have done all your research.

Best of luck.
Aug 28, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thanks for all the great information. I would love to have a dog that would watch out for my small dogs since there are pitbulls that like to come in my yard. But... I'm not sure I can handle the digging. I have 3 acres that I take very good care of and númerous flower beds. I just don't want big craters in my yard....
Aug 28, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Consider a Senior
by: Jean Lodge

An excellent way to begin your experience with a Pyr is to contact rescues and try to find a senior Pyr who is known for being very sweet and also tolerant of other dogs and small children, etc. I have two Pyrs like that just now.

You will get to see the inner beauty of this breed and won't have the complications of raising a puppy or having a boisterous young dog.

A good rescue will get to know you well first, to make sure the match is a good one, and it will also be there if the dog has to be returned. This is not to say that you can just give it back. These dogs are gentle souls and must be treated with love and respect. It will take a little time to incorporate a new dog into your family whether or not it is a Great Pyrenees.
Sep 12, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mini Dauschund was once the Queen
by: Cathy

My 12 year old mini Dauschund was the Queen of the house until Chloe joined the family. Chloe is now 8 months old and will go get Abby to nudge her inside at night when she is lagging behind. If Abby barks to come inside and I don't hear her, Chloe will come and get me leading me while barking all of the way to the door that Abby is waiting for me to open. It also works the other way too. Abby will bark while leading me to the door to let Chloe in. Our cat was insulted in the beginning when Chloe joined the family, but now Chloe lays by the cat while she is eating as if she is guarding her. The cat still tries to pretend she doesn't like Chloe, but I have, in numerous occasions, walked into the room and have seen them both playing together. Sure, the cat looks at me as if to say "make her leave me alone", but we all three know the truth! This morning, I found them both curled up together on my bed....and that wasn't the first time. You will find that a Great Pyr will protect anything in her territory, especially your small pets.
Aug 01, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Pyrenees are excellent dogs
by: Anonymous

I have a Pyr and a Boston. My Pyr is gentle with the Boston. Of course I might have a strange Pyrenees, because he fetches the ball, he doesn't jump out of my fence, and he doesn't bark that much....but he is most certainly a full-blooded great Pyrenees. It's the Boston terrier you got to watch out for. She's the bossy one. You have to show your great Pyrenees that these animals that you were taking in are part of your pack. Some people say that you can't put great Pyrenees together or they may fight. but this has never made any sense to me because there are many homesteads that have 10 + great peers on the homestead. So I imagine if you have enough room you can have multiple great Pyrenees. My great Pyrenees breeder has a homestead and he has about 12 of them and they're good dogs. It all depends on your dog, every dog is different my Pyrenees does not fit the bill of the Pyrenees with the exception that he doesn't really listen the first time I say something. As far as potty training a great Pyrenees goes, I've owned many dogs in my lifetime and he was the easiest. He had his potty training regiment down within his first week of getting home. He was only an 8 week old pup. I have to say, great Pyrenees are not the most active dogs in the world. They're cuddly, really mellow, and really good dogs. If you raise them right as a puppy they're really goofy and really silly.... And they love everyone. You cannot go wrong with a good great Pyrenees. Make sure that you purchase your great Pyrenees from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder that has many great Pyrenees suggest that these Pyrenees get along well with one another which means they would have excellent temperament. Do your homework. My Pyrenees is always hanging around something, and he's always watching out for something. He in the Boston terrier play, but he could be a little rough so you have to dial it back a little bit. But ultimately they really do live up to the name of the gentle giant.
Mar 02, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Can be good with small dogs
by: Snerf63

We have a great pyr Anatolian mix but I think she has more of a great pyr in nature. She is usualy gentle with our cat but they say you have to watch out until they mature at age of 2 or 3 years old because they can play rough and kill things on accedent when they are a puppy and still learning. She has what we call the witching hour. It is basically some time between dinner time and 11pm and only IF she has not had enough excersize, she will start running in circles playfully bouncing off of furniture and play growling, we let her outside when that happens so she can go and bolt around the yard. She is a very large dog to be behaving that way inside. During the witching hour she will try and chase the cat but the behavior is entirely predictable and avoidable. The rest of the time she is very gentle and mindful even when trying to play.

We take her to puppy daycare and they put all the dogs together even the 10 pound dogs. She knows how to play with them and disadvantages herself by laying down etc. The other day there was a near crisis where an Anatolian was getting aggressive with the small dogs this Anatolian was an adult male same height as our 1 year old female Pyr but an extra 40lb muscle. The dog tender was getting ready to intervene but could not get over quick enough. These dog tenders are very experienced and won't intervine unless there is a real problem. Our dog went over and barked in its face, very loud I am sure. Then the Anatolian went on to two more dogs and the same thing happened. Finaly at the point when it was getting out of hand between this Anatolian and the small dogs and the dog tender was trying to get over to intervine. Our female one year old Anatolian/Pyr Mix body checked this dog and knocked it over. So basically she de-escelated the conflict without even using her teeth and after that everything was fine for the rest of the day. This meets the description of what is expected of a Pyr which is that they will watch out for small animals and only use the amount of force necessary. That is why people have used them for thousands of years to run off bears, mountain lions and wolves, a guardian dog which is inclined to engage in close combat with these animals won't last long but a dog like a Pyr who makes it self a royal PITA unless fighting is absolutely necessary will jump the line for natural selection, basically they use there brains when they don't have the braun.

The dog watcher said they have never seen a dog body check before. Also, the dog watcher does not like the Anatolians and said most people regret getting them. They seam to think that our dogs nature is better than most Analotolians or Pyrs. I am sure some of it is luck but we were very intentional about socializing her. My wife and I are more stubborn than she is which is where most owners fall short because they are stubborn animals. Also, dogs pick up on your own nature and we are pretty even tempered. We used the modern hippy dog training techniques of positive reinforcement rather than the rolled up newspaper which they strongly advise against for great Pyr's.

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