Want a very large, fluffy white dog?

Great Pyrenees adult and pup, photo - AKC website

....BREAKING NEWS......

Do you have a spacious yard, know how to handle a large dog, love to groom a dog with lots of hair, and have enough money to feed, vet and house a large dog? You might want to find out more about this breed from experts.

Eight Great Pyrenees pups have recently been orphaned. Their mama died and they are now in foster care, being lovingly bottle fed and socialized in dog-friendly homes in northern Colorado.

I cannot answer your specifc questions, such as whether they are from show stock, how many puppies are girls and boys, how the mother dog died, etc. The non-profit shelter that is coordinating their foster care and will present them to the public in mid-July for adoption is K-9 Bed & Biscuit, at 14253 Hwy 392, Greeley, Colorado. Call them at (970) 352-5330. They can help you with any information you need.

Maybe you now or in the past have had a Great Pyrenees. Then you know what to expect from owning one of these giants. Your home is probably better prepared than the average home to take in one of these dogs of the American Kennel Club working group that descends from a flock herding and guarding heritage in the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe.

If you have not owned one, or any similar large dog in the past, but might be willing to accept the challenges, I want to introduce you to the breed characteristics, potential problems and endearing qualities.

Remains of the Pyrenees breed are found in the fossil deposits of the Bronze Age (1800-1000 BC). - American Kennel Club, "Did You Know?"

They can stand up to 32 inches tall and weigh well over 100 pounds. They have a very thick, double coat that can be  pure white or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown, or varying shades of tan. The breed standard for the Great Pyrenees, recorded at the American Kennel Club states that the breed "...is confident, gentle, and affectionate. While territorial and protective of his flock or family when necessary, his general demeanor is one of quiet composure, both patient and tolerant. He is strong willed, independent and somewhat reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal to his charges both human and animal."

Dog Breed Information Center says that this breed is usually very good with other animals, and that they love cats. Like most large breeds, they take a couple of years to mature. Some things you might find unappealing: they drool and slobber, bark a lot and tend to wander away when they are off leash. It's a good idea to keep them in a fenced yard. They are one of the carting dog breeds.

HEALTH CONCERNS of this breed include hip displaysia and skin problems in hot weather. They have a life expectancy of about ten years. The Mile High Great Pyrenees Club can be a "GREAT" resource for you.

If all of these puppies are spoken for when the time comes for them to be placed in new homes, you can check for a new pet at the Great Pyrenees Rescue in Black Forest, Colorado. There are a lot of benefits from adopting an adult dog.

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