The Great Pyrenees, or Pyrs, are great winter dogs that can tolerate fairly cold temperatures with their thick double coats. While you do have to worry about their seasonal shedding, they are one of the most tolerant dogs of winter you can get.
The Great Pyrenees can tolerate temperatures as low as 0 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for short to medium periods and down to 30 for long periods and stay comfortable. They can handle even colder temperatures, but it can get risky for their paws as the temperature reduces.
Read on to find out how cold the Great Pyrenees can tolerate, along with tips to keep them warm during extremely cold temperatures.
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What temperature can the Great Pyrenees tolerate?
The Pyrenees are a cold-weather dog breed. They have double coats that help them keep warm during extreme colds. They were originally mountain dogs and can handle relatively low temperatures compared with most dogs.
In freezing temperatures, they are still at risk of getting frostbite. They can tolerate temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but it becomes challenging for them when it’s colder than that.
“They are not recommended to stay outside for prolonged periods when the temperature drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.“
It is OK to let them play outside up to about 20 degrees in temperature. Just don’t keep them outside all day at this temperature. Rain is also a significant danger for them, as a wet dog is a very cold dog, and they can catch a cold.
Do the Great Pyrenees need coats in winter?
The Great Pyrenees have tremendous fur coats that don’t require a lot of daily grooming or maintenance. This coat serves as a fantastic insulator for winter.
They have seasonal shedding that changes their coat between the winter and the summer. While it requires a lot of brushing and clean-up, it helps keep them warm throughout the winter.
The Undercoat
The inner layer of the undercoat of a Great Pyrenees is made of very thick, soft fur. It feels similar to a bed comforter or a winter coat. It also serves the same purpose as a winter coat.
However, the insulation isn’t needed in the summer, and they shed their undercoat in the spring. This is crucial to saving the Pyrenees from overheating.
Once the fall comes around again, your dog will start growing that thick undercoat again for extra protection during the winter months.
The Outer Layer
The outer layer of the fur of the Great Pyrenees is an all-purpose coat. It is coarser and looser than the undercoat. It is water-resistant and keeps snow, ice, and dirt away from the skin.
These guarding hairs also help protect the dog from pests and minor injuries. In addition, this coat doesn’t tend to shed as much as the undercoat. Instead, shedding usually occurs all year round.
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Are the Great Pyrenees Indoor or Outdoor Dogs?
Many people keep the Great Pyrenees as outdoor dogs because they can deal with cold weather quite well. However, they don’t mind being indoors either, so your options are pretty open.
Overall, they tend to be outdoor dogs unless raised indoors from birth. However, their heavy coats can get too warm for them indoors in the winter.
Should the Great Pyrenees sleep outside?
There are a lot of dangers when it comes to keeping the Great Pyrenees outside overnight. Although they were bred to withstand the cold, a whole night outdoors is very tough for them, and it can be hard to judge when the temperature drop will be too much.
Frostbite
The Great Pyrenees often get frostbite on their paw pads when it is freezing outside. This area is not protected by its fur coat and stays in constant contact with snow and ice. Frostbite is a severe condition and needs to be treated immediately.
You can tell they have frostbite when they are limping or act lame after coming out from the cold.
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia is the medical term for when the body’s temperature is too low. The Great Pyrenees can get it when the temperature drops too much.
The main problem is that their extremities are not as protected with thick fur as their main body is. So the cold still gets to them through these spots.
Dogs also have a higher resting body temperature, meaning they need to keep themselves warmer than we do.
Their body temperature tends to be anywhere from 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Warning signs of hypothermia include lethargy, shivering, sleepiness, and mental fog.”
If they seem to be generally slowing down or showing these signs after coming in from the cold, this could mean they are in a state of hypothermia.
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How to keep my Great Pyrenees warm in winter?
Periodically warming them up inside is a great start, but you can also make sure they have access to shelters of their own, like the garage or a dog house outside, to give them a layer of extra protection.
Blankets for when they get inside are also a good idea. You may need to heat them again quickly, so they’re always a good thing to have, just in case. Especially if your Pyrenees has just been caught in a snowstorm, drying them off is very helpful.
Are the Great Pyrenees a good cold-weather dog breed?
Yes, they are one of the best cold-weather dogs breeds around. However, that doesn’t make them invincible.
Coat
Their double coat is specially insulated to survive the cold.
We’ve discussed it earlier in the article, but the topcoat is coarser, keeping many things at bay, while the undercoat is used for warmth and is very thick.
Size
Male Pyrenees weigh 100-120 pounds at their adult size and weight, while females weigh 85-105 pounds.
Activity levels
They need about 40 minutes to an hour of exercise per day. For their size, that’s not a lot, so you don’t need to worry about keeping them as active as other large dog breeds.
Signs to watch out for when your Great Pyrenees is in the cold:
Coughing
Coughing is a sign that the cold is getting into their lungs. Look for repeated coughing over time, not just a stray one.
Sneezing
Like with human colds, sneezing is a regular sign that they have the virus in their system.
Runny nose
Combined with sneezing, this is a good sign that your Pyrenees is sick. Usually, a cold isn’t too severe, however, there are several things you can do to help them recover from this.
How to treat the Great Pyrenees with a cold?
First, be sure to separate your dog from other dogs in the house. Otherwise, the virus will spread like a human cold.
The occasional sneeze is normal, and usually nothing to worry about. However, when there is consistent sneezing, runny nose, and coughing, it is likely your Pyrenees has caught a cold.
Otherwise, healthy dogs will recover from a cold within about a week without necessary intervention. However, if their condition seems to be worsening, seek the advice of a vet to see what you can do.
Often, a cold covers up a weakened immune system and hides other problems. Be alert for any unusual symptoms, as this could be a good time to see the vet.
There are serious conditions such as Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Canine Distemper, and Adenovirus Type 2, like a common cold. Vaccines are available for dogs against these diseases.
What’s The Best Way to Treat a Dog With a Cold?
It’s best to get proactive to avoid it progressing to a more severe illness. You can also try a few home remedies to help your canine through the worst of it and build up their immunity.
Invest in a humidifier
A humidifier near where your dog sleeps will loosen up their congestion and impacted phlegm.
Clean your dog’s sleeping area
Keeping your dog’s sleeping area free of allergens or other irritants can also help them out and keep anything from impacting their already compromised immune system.
Ensure your dog gets plenty of rest
Rest is key to getting through any illness.
Give your dog plenty of fluids
Fluids are another thing that is always key to getting through any illness. Fresh water is great for them, and make sure they have plenty of it.
Ensure your dog has enough nutritious food
Their appetite might get low while they are ill, so offering them some chicken soup can be helpful. The sodium and fluids will help them get through the worst of it and restore their energy. The chicken should keep up their strength.
When to consult with a vet?
Consult a vet when strange symptoms become evident from cold weather or if your Pyrenees hasn’t recovered within a week.
While cold weather doesn’t always cause colds, it requires more energy to survive, weakening the immune system. Unfortunately, this means less energy available for fighting viruses and diseases.
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