Black Great Pyrenees – Everything You Need to Know

Black Great Pyrenees are Pyrenees dogs with a black coat color. The gene responsible for this type of coat color to be solid black is the extension gene or MCR1. It is responsible for the dog to express eumelanin or black pigmentation. The magnificent and royal Black Great Pyrenees is lofty and billowy. This gives them the title Royal Dog of France, gaining a reputation amongst royal families and Aristocrats. They ought to be slightly cumbersome. 

Black Great Pyrenees have been bred as shepherd’s dogs for hundreds of years around the circles of the Pyrenees mountains of France and Spain. They were majorly bred to take care of livestock. They are also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dogs outside North America or otherwise Pyr. The Black Great Pyrenees is impartial, strong-willed, loyal, fearless, and attentive.

Black Great Pyrenees Pros and Cons

Black Great Pyrenees Basic Information 

• Name: Black Great Pyrenees
• Height: 25 – 32 inches
• Weight: 85 – 160 pounds
• Coat: Double, weather-resistant wooly undercoat and thick, coarse overcoat.
• Color: Solid Black or with some markings
• Energy: High
• Activities: Therapy dogs, family dogs, working dogs
• Group: Working dogs
• Barking Level: High
• Shedding Level: High
• Hypoallergenic: No
• Litter Size: 8 – 10 puppies
• Life Span: 10 – 12 years
• Other names: Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees vs. Black Great Pyrenees – A Comparison 

Features	The Great Pyrenees	Black Great Pyrenees
Image
Origin	France and Spain	France and Spain
Height	25 – 32 inches	25 – 32 inches
Weight	85 – 160 pounds	85 – 160 pounds
Size	Large	Large
Color	White	Black and with some markings
Group	Working Dogs	Working Dogs
Children Compatibility	Medium to High	Medium to High
Family Compatibility	High	High
Pets Compatibility	Medium to High	Medium to High
Barking Level	High	High
Shedding Level	High	High
Hypoallergenic	No	No
Grooming Needs	Medium to High	Medium to High
Overall Health	Low to Medium	Low to Medium
Energy	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Trainability	Medium to High	Medium to High
Activities	Therapy dogs, family dogs, working dogs	Therapy dogs, family dogs, working dogs
Complication in breeding	No	No
Litter Size	8 – 10 puppies	8 – 10 puppies
Lifespan	10 – 12 years	10 – 12 years
Other Names	Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Pyrenees	Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Pyrenees

Black Great Pyrenees Personality

Black Great Pyrenees’ head is round, wedged-shaped, and medium-sized. Their eyes are elegant, expressive, and noble. They bear triangular ears high on their heads. They have deep chests, muscular shoulders and legs with a plumed tail carried at the back. Black Great Pyrenees has a double, weather-resistant, wooly undercoat, and thick, coarse overcoat. Hair on the face and ears of the Black Great Pyrenees is shorter and more delicate than the other parts of the body. This breed has double dewclaws, which have helped navigate the incredible terrain of the Pyrenees mountains to guard the flock of sheep, for working, climbing, gripping, and turning. You can find the absence of the double dewclaws faulty within the breed’s ring. In addition, their coats act as insulation against hot weather conditions. Hence, it would help if you did not shave them.

Friendliness Overview

Adaptability Overview

Black Great Pyrenees Temperament

Black Great Pyrenees is loyal, devoted, mild, and affectionate with family. Black Great Pyrenees needs some job to keep him engaged. They are independent and do their tasks without the owner instructing them. They are very protective, natural guardians for children and pets at home. It can be from pulling a cart, guarding livestock, to taking care of kids. Any tasks this dog will perform with delight. Black Great Pyrenees are even-tempered and intelligent and could be hard to train. They are energetic dogs who can also be harmonious partners indoors. They are prone to bark at sounds and sights. 

Black Great Pyrenees Training

Although Black Great Pyrenees are brilliant, they are tough to train. Early training and socialization with animals, human beings, and appropriate mode of conduct while on a leash is recommended. They are great wanderers and can disappear if they are left Scott free. Tasks at hand are the best physical stimulation Black Great Pyrenees can have. Black Great Pyrenees are good at rescue and search work, herding and agility. Patience and perseverance are required while you train them for agility. In addition, they can excel as remedy dogs due to their affectionate nature. These Black Great Pyrenees were previously used as search dogs, and the modern Pyrenees are not sporting dogs. They may be excellent and agile at performing other tasks but cannot be good at swimming, and retrieving may not be their cup of tea.

Trainability Overview

Black Great Pyrenees Exercise Needs 

Black Great Pyrenees would need around 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every day. Though these dogs are energetic, too much physical exhaustion can be problematic. They may be able to participate in brief jogging sessions. However, they love mountain climbing and hiking, especially during cold climatic conditions. Care must be taken during hot weather conditions not to get overheated.

Exercise Needs Overview

Black Great Pyrenees Grooming

Black Great Pyrenees bear long, double coats frequently shed. However, it would not be tough to groom them. Weekly brushing will help the Pyrenees’ coats, pores and skin shed less. Although some naturally shed dirt, bathing is necessary at times. You shouldn’t shave the fur of Black Great Pyrenees since their coat protects them from cold and hot weather conditions. Regular brushing can also be helpful during the shedding season. Other grooming requirements like trimming nails, ears and eyes cleaning, and brushing teeth to maintain good health are some tasks carried out by pet parents.

Grooming Overview 

Black Great Pyrenees Health

The Black Great Pyrenees are typically healthy. However, they are susceptible to some health issues that they inherit from their parent breeds. Although not all puppies will contract these illnesses, it’s vital to be aware of them if you’re thinking about getting one.

Health Overview

Cancer: The Black Great Pyrenees has a higher life expectancy than the other breed. So, they are prone to cancer as they grow older. Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. However, it is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier. 

Hemangiosarcoma: This is a hazardous form of cancer that originates in the lining of blood vessels and the spleen. It most commonly happens in middle-aged and elderly dogs.  

Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer common in large and giant breeds.

Osteochondrosis Dessicans: Osteochondrosis Dessicans is an inflammatory condition that occurs due to the cartilage’s abnormal development, leading to its separation from the underlying bone. Although it most prominently affects the shoulder, it may be prevalent at the elbow, hip, or knee. 

Symptoms of OCD 

• Limping in the affected leg  
• Extremely painful when the affected leg is manipulated 
• Swollen or warm joint 

Treatment generally involves following a strict rest schedule, medications, supplements, and surgery if necessary.

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a painful, life-threatening condition caused when the bones of the rear legs don’t fit properly in the joints. Hip dysplasia is primarily hereditary, but injuries, excessive weight gain, wrong exercises can cause hip dysplasia. This condition causes defects or damage to the hip bones, joints and worsens without treatment. Some dogs might exhibit symptoms, while some might not. Treatment ranges from medication to replacement of the hip through surgeries. To avoid this problem, do not crossbreed with a parent who has the issue of hip dysplasia. Regular checkups are suggested. 

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include: 

• Reduced activity and movements 
• Reluctance to rise, jump, run, or climb 
• Lameness in the hind limbs 
• Reducing thigh muscle mass 
• Swaying, “bunny hopping” gait 
• Grating in the joint during movement 
• Enlarging shoulders 
• Pain 
• Stiffness 

Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition commonly seen in large-breed dogs. This disease is caused due to different growth rates of the three bones that form the dog’s elbow, causing joint laxity and painful lameness. 

Symptoms include:  

• Mild to moderate pain   
• Lameness in the forelimbs
• Although the symptoms begin to show as early as four months of age, some dogs will not show these signs until later in life. Further, this may involve both the elbows, but one of them may be heavily affected. 

Patellar Luxation: Knee Dysplasia, also known as Patellar Luxation, is a condition that affects both the parent breeds. The dislocation of the knee cap can be excruciatingly painful, causing the dog to avoid leaning on the injured leg. 

Signs of the luxating patella in dogs: 

• While your dog runs along, he may suddenly pick up a back leg and hop for some time.  
• He kicks his leg sideways to get the kneecap back in position and make it normal. 

Eye Problems: Some dogs are susceptible to several eye diseases, including Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts. As a result, their descendants will likely inherit it as well. 

Addison’s Disease: This hazardous disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is triggered by the adrenal gland’s inadequate adrenal hormone development. Addison’s disease causes most dogs to vomit, have a low appetite, and be drowsy. Since these symptoms are ambiguous and may be mistaken for other illnesses, it’s possible to overlook this disorder until it’s too late. When a dog is depressed or where potassium levels rise to the point that they interfere with heart activity, causing extreme shock and death, more severe symptoms appear. If your veterinarian suspects Addison’s disease, they can run a battery of tests to validate the diagnosis. 

Bloat: Bloat, also known as gastric torsion and gastric dilatation volvulus syndrome, is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists.

Anesthesia Sensitivity: Some dogs are sensitive to anesthesia. Hence, it is better to check with the breeder and inform your vet accordingly before adopting or buying any dog breeds.

The Pet owners can minimize the severity of health issues in the Black Great Pyrenees by buying these breeds from an authorized breeder engaged in proper breeding practices and screening for frequent ailments.

Black Great Pyrenees Diet and Nutrition

One can not go by the size of Black Great Pyrenees when it comes to diet requirements that are needed daily. They need two to four cups of high-quality diet divided into two meals per day. This diet is based on the standard weight and exercise levels.  

Black Great Pyrenees Living Condition

Black Great Pyrenees are not suitable for apartment living. Since they are brilliant, they are ideal for experienced pet owners only. They require high grooming needs. They should be left to play where there are tall and secured fence yards as they have high prey drives and are prone to potential wanderlust. They are not suitable for hot climatic conditions. 

Adding a Black Great Pyrenees to Your Family

 Things to Remember Before Adding Black Great Pyrenees to Your Family

• Black Great Pyrenees need to be physically and mentally stimulated. They have a high tendency to bark and howl.
• It would be best not to leave Black Great Pyrenees alone, for they are great escape artists.
• They may seem energetic but may not have great stamina.
• They are large dogs and are unsuitable for small families and houses.
• It is essential to get a mixed breed pup from a reputed breeder who guarantees the health of the canine and their purebred parents. 
• You must inquire about their health clearance documents and gene testing reports.
• Before getting Black great Pyrenees puppies, make sure they have been vaccinated.

Cost of a Black Great Pyrenees Puppy

The cost of a Black Great Pyrenees Puppy is $300 to $1500

Black Great Pyrenees Videos 

Black Great Pyrenees on the lawn

Black Great Pyrenees Images