Looking for a mixed breed that will bring lots of love into your life? The Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever Mix may just be the perfect dog for you!
This article will provide 16 key facts about this amazing crossbreed, from their temperament, diet, and exercise needs, to whether they are child friendly.
We’ll also examine some of the key benefits of owning this unique mixed breed.
Breeding Background
The Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever Mix is a relatively new hybrid breed that combines the best qualities of the Great Pyrenees and the Golden Retriever.
The Golden Retriever is another very old breed that originated in England during the 15th century. This popular dog breed is also considered one of the oldest purebred dogs today.
The origins of the Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix are somewhat murky, while it is known that the breed was developed in the United States in the 1990s.
This mixed breed is a large, muscular dog with a thick coat of fur that can be either white, cream, or gold in color. They are intelligent, friendly, and outgoing dogs that are great in the family home.
Appearance
The Golden Pyrenees is a large and impressive dog with a strong body and a noble bearing. The head is fairly large and rectangular, with a wide muzzle and soft, floppy ears.
The eyes are brown or hazel. The coat is thick and dense, with a moderate to heavy amount of shedding. This mix does well in colder climates, as the thick coat provides insulation against the cold.
The Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees is a large dog that stands between that stands about 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh anywhere from 70-120 pounds, depending on their size and age.
They are a handsome and dignified dog breed. The other double coat colors can be yellow, brindle, tricolor, white, red, cream, sable, grey, Golden, and black.
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What’s their Temperament like?
The temperament of the Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix is comparable to that of both parent breeds. They are highly energetic, playful, and affectionate.
They love to play fetch, chase balls, and run around. However, they do not tolerate being left alone for extended periods of time. They need daily exercise and mental stimulation.
The Golden Pyrenees’ temperament is similar to that of the Golden Retriever because they are both friendly, gentle, and easygoing. On the other hand, the Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix is more individualistic and calm than the Golden Retriever breed.
What are their training Needs?
Training your Golden Pyrenees is very easy. Start training when they are puppies. Puppies learn quickly and respond well to positive reinforcement. You can reward them with treats, toys, praise, or even just attention.
- Start teaching commands such as sit, stay, down, come, and heel. When they understand the command, teach them how to perform the behavior. Once they master the command, add another one.
- Teaching commands like “sit” and “stay” is important as these simple commands can often prevent accidents. Sit simply means stop doing whatever you are doing. Stay means stop moving. Teaching your dog to obey these commands is best done through rewards and praise.
- To train your dog to walk nicely on a leash, start by taking them outside and walking around the block.
- To train your dog to go potty outside, take them outside and let them do their business. Then, pick up any waste and throw it away. Repeat this process until your dog understands where to go when they need to relieve itself.
- Once your dog has mastered these basic commands, you can move on to more advanced ones. Commands like “come,” “down,” “wait,” and “leave it” are all great ways to reinforce good behavior.
Are they Aggressive?
No, the Golden Pyrenees are typically not aggressive. They are naturally protective of their family members and will protect them if necessary. This is why they make excellent guard dogs.
“They are also very loving and loyal. If you treat them right, they will be happy to give you lots of love and companionship.”
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What’s their Exercise Needs?
The Golden Pyrenees are large dogs with a reputation for being lazy. They are one of the larger breeds, sometimes weighing up to 220 pounds! But that doesn’t mean you can get away with no exercise! They need about one hour of exercise per day to stay fit and healthy.
They spend most of their time sleeping, leading to them being overweight, but it can easily be fixed with regular exercise, such as taking your pup on long walks or running in an area outside your life!
It’s important to take care of your pet’s health status by ensuring they are active.
Sixty to ninety (60-90) minutes of walking each day can help reduce weight gain for pets, especially those with a tendency towards gaining more pounds than necessary.
Mental Stimulation
Mental Stimulation is essential for most dog breeds. It helps them think clearly, remember things, and keep their minds sharp. It also keeps them from getting bored and restless.
The best way to stimulate your dog mentally is through play. Playtime should be fun and engaging. Your dog needs enough mental stimulation, so they don’t become bored and destructive.
The Golden Pyrenees is no exception and likes to engage and enjoy several brain activities, including:
- Playing fetch
- Jumping rope
- Tug of war
- Frisbee tossing
- Running
- Swimming
- Digging holes
- Chewing bones
- Wrestling
- Hide and seek
- Chasing balls
- Fetching sticks
- Climbing stairs
- Jumping over obstacles
- Playing tug games
- Playing hide and seek
How to Groom them?
- Grooming requirements for your Golden Pyrenees will depend on their coat type. You will want to brush out their hair regularly if they have a double coat. You can use a slicker brush or comb to remove dead hair.
- Make sure to brush out the ears and tail too. Single-coated dogs don’t require grooming due to their white/golden coat being naturally clean.
- If you have a Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever Mix puppy, you will want to start brushing them when they are 6 weeks old. Brush them every day until they reach 1 year of age. After that, you will only need to brush them once a week.
- You can bathe your Golden Pyrenees using shampoo specifically for dogs. Use lukewarm water and apply it gently to the skin. Rinse off thoroughly after 5 minutes. Do not leave the bathtub while bathing your dog.
Are they Dog Friendly?
The Golden Pyrenees is a large, majestic dog with an easy-going personality. They get along well enough to be around other pets and animals in your household–including strange ones!
“This intelligent breed has been known as the “King of Dogs” because they’re so gentle towards everyone. They are known to get along well with most other dogs and cats.”
Are they Child Friendly?
The Golden Pyrenees is a well-rounded breed that can easily integrate into an active household. These gentle giants have been known to be playful, affectionate, and protective of their family’s home, but they have been properly trained.
“This clever hound will entertain you with games of fetch or protect your home from intruders with its powerful guardian instincts!”
Drooling levels
The Golden Pyrenees’ drooling level is moderate to heavy. Drooling is normal for this breed.
If your pet drools excessively, there may be something wrong with their teeth. The best way to stop drooling is by keeping your pet’s mouth moistened with water.
Barking Levels
The Golden Pyrenees is likely to bark excessively at strangers and unfamiliar people. They may bark at sounds such as thunder, fireworks, and sirens. They bark at night a lot, especially when left alone.
They only bark like that during the day if there’s someone outside of their house. Or, If they see something suspicious, they might bark loudly at it.
Adaptability to Weather
These dogs are very adaptable to different climates. It’s important that you do not expose them to heat. Wild animal shelters recommend giving these creatures lots of water and shade whenever possible.
The bottom line is, that they need to stay indoors during extreme heat to avoid major health issues.
In extremely cold temperatures, they may become lethargic and lose some of their excess energy level. They may even develop frostbite on their paws.
How long do they live?
The average life expectancy of this mix is 10-14 years. While this is considered a good lifespan for a dog, the Golden Pyrenees mix should always receive regular checkups from a veterinarian to prolong its longevity.
Consulting with a veterinarian is the best way to identify if there are any health issues to be concerned by.
Some common health conditions include:
- Eye Problems
- Heart Disease
- Hip Dysplasia
- Kidney Disease
- Obesity
- Allergies
- Bone Cancer
Some of these conditions may be hereditary, so you should discuss them with your veterinarian before breeding your pet.
AKC Recognition
The Golden Retriever was recognized by its AKC membership after its initial recognition back in 1925, which makes this furry friend an old favorite among many people.
The Great Pyrenees was one of the first mixed breeds recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1885.
Pyrenees Golden Retriever Mix not recognized by AKC yet, despite parent breeds are.
Cost to Purchase
Depending on this designer breed’s quality and health conditions, they can cost anywhere between $450-$5K. If you can afford it, get one, they will be a great addition to your family!
As a buyer, you can expect to pay more for show-quality pups than pet store ones. The price depends on the document type and age of parents at the time of sale.
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think? Are Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix dogs for you? Do you have the time and patience to train a big dog that may be prone to guarding his territory and possessions?
If so, this could be the perfect canine companion for your family. With a lot of love and some training, these loyal dogs can make great additions to any family. Enjoy having this popular breed!
