As dogs are friendly, sociable creatures who enjoy interacting with others, we decided to research whether or not the Great Pyrenees needs a companion.
Great Pyrenees dogs need a companion to maintain positive energy even when you’re not around. In a bid to reduce stress, minimize boredom, and increase your pup’s happiness, a friend is a great option. However, even with a companion, you should continue to expose your Great Pyrenees to new people and animals.
There are many other factors that impact your Great Pyrenees and their need for companionship. We explore these in detail throughout this article!
Do Great Pyrenees Need a Companion?
Just like humans, even animals understand the value of ‘friendship’. As much as your pup appreciates your time, money, love, and kindness, it will love having a canine friend around.
Great Pyrenees dogs enjoy friendships with other dogs, as having companions increases their overall happiness. Enjoying time with other dogs also helps them to reduce stress and boredom.
Before introducing a companion dog, you must be aware of your pup’s temperament. Great Pyrenees dogs’ temperaments differ from other dogs; while some Great Pyrenees enjoy the company of dogs, others do not.
Can the Great Pyrenees Live Alone?
The Great Pyrenees are able to live alone without the assistance of others. However, this should only be for short periods.
Leaving them alone for an extended amount of time can increase boredom, stress, and even aggression.
In order to ensure they can be left alone without inviting negative consequences, they must be trained and mentally stimulated. If this is provided, the Great Pyrenees can be left alone for around 8 hours before they start becoming restless and disruptive.
You might also be interested in – The Ultimate Great Pyrenees Guide – All Questions Answered!
Do Great Pyrenees Need to be in Pairs?
Great Pyrenees dogs are well-known for their unwavering strong will. They only live peacefully with those they want to live with and stubbornly protest if they don’t want a companion.
In order to prevent such a protest, you should train your pup to live with other Pyrs (or any other potential companion dog) right from puppyhood.
When a Great Pyrenees dog grows with another dog from a younger age, they consider them as family and will be protective and caring over them.
Do Great Pyrenees Get Along with Other Dogs?
Great Pyrenees dogs get along with other dogs quite well. An effective way of encouraging your pup to get along with other others is by introducing them to other dogs in neutral places. This can include local spaces, parks, or even a friend’s house.
Another way to ensure that your pup gets along with other dogs is by training them from puppyhood to always be comfortable around new people and strange dogs.
Can Great Pyrenees Live with Small Dogs?
The Great Pyrenees are better off living with smaller dogs if they have been well-socialized. For centuries, the Great Pyrenees have been known to have an intuitive sense of protection for smaller animals.
They won’t want to harm any small or vulnerable animals and will typically act as guardians due to their protective instincts.
Are the Great Pyrenees Good with Other Animals?
Pyrs only accept other animals they have been convinced are essential parts of the family as members of their ‘flock’. Remember, Great Pyrenees dogs treat their owners, their family, and their property as members of their flock, accountable for their protection.
If animals such as cats, canines, livestock, etc., are considered family members by an owner, the Great Pyrenees will assume the role of a guardian and protect these other animals.
However, if this breed has not been well-socialized and trained, they have a tendency to perceive other animals as rivals. This can result in aggression and dominant behaviors.
Don’t think about getting a companion for your pup if it is not trained to accept new people or animals into the family.
What is the Best Companion for Great Pyrenees?
You are the best companion your Great Pyrenees dog can have. Your pup wants your all – your affection, your attention, your time, and your touch. However, your pup can also make-do with other canines as friends.
You might be wondering about the exact breed of canine companion to suit your Great Pyrenees, besides another Pyr. Here are seven dog breeds that might be good for your pup:
- Pyrenean Shepherd
- Australian Shepherd
- Siberian Husky
- Anatolian Shepherd
- Beagle
- Border Collie
- Tibetan Mastiff
Are Great Pyrenees Loners?
Great Pyrenees dogs have always liked to live independently and do things their way.
They tend to get bored easily as they are smart, willful, and powerful. You might give them a command, and they lazily (but intentionally) delay the execution in protest.
Sometimes, their frequent whines and frustrated barks might be a sign of protest that they are bored and tired of staying alone.
Getting the Great Pyrenees involved in tasks that play into their instincts, especially guard duties, stimulates and excites them mentally.
They typically want ‘flocks’ they can herd or friends to play with. Based on these needs, the Great Pyr certainly isn’t a loner. However there are times they just want to be alone.
Do Great Pyrenees Need a Friend?
Like most breeds, the Great Pyrenees need companionship and interaction with other living beings who enjoy their affection and show them theirs.
They need to know that they are loved and needed. Many believe it’s essential for them to have another pup to play around with.
Do the Great Pyrenees Get Separation Anxiety?
Yes, Great Pyrenees dogs get separation anxiety. Your pup wants your attention at all times, and if it notices that you are about to leave, it might get separation anxiety.
In this case, your pup might try destructive things. It will make several attempts to escape to be with you. It will whine, howl, and bark in sadness and anxiety.
There are several reasons why Great Pyrenees dogs bark. Ensure that you train your pup not to bark unnecessarily.
Pyrs get separation anxiety as a result of several factors. Here are three possible causes of your pup’s separation anxiety:
- You might have poorly socialized your pup. If your pup is only attached to you and is not very familiar with things in the neighborhood, it will be prone to having separation anxiety each time she realizes that you are leaving.
- Aging is also a factor that might contribute to your pup’s separation anxiety. When your pup grows older, health conditions and behavioral changes may increase the possibility of separation anxiety.
- If your pup has been traumatized in the past, there is a high probability of anxiety each time you want to leave (even for a short period). Traumatic experiences your pup has had might come back in your pup’s memories when you are away.
Final Thoughts
Whilst the Great Pyrenees are largely independent, they do have a need for a companion. Through introduction, training, and socialization with other animals from an early age, your Great Pyrenees is likely to embrace other dogs and establish strong social bonds.
This will likely help with loneliness and separation anxiety whilst providing your Great Pyr with a lifelong friend.
