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Are you looking to adopt a large dog that’s great with the entire family? If so, you may want to consider the Great Pyredane! Don’t worry if you’ve not heard of this dog breed before. It’s also a new one for us. However, we wanted to be sure to share information about these wonderful dogs!
So, read on to learn everything you need to learn more about the breed and how to care for these dogs! Let’s get started!
What is a Great Pyredane?
That Great Pyredane is a hybrid dog breed that is a cross between two purebred dog breeds, the Great Pyrenees and the Great Dane. These are very large dogs! However, they’re very laid back and friendly canines. They’re great family companions and may even scare off intruders. So, these dogs make good guard dogs.
Because these are hybrid dogs, it’s not always certain what they’ll look like or their temperament. All hybrid dogs inherit genes from both parents. Most people believe that hybrid dogs are a 50/50 combination of the parents. However, that’s not how genetics work.
Each puppy in a litter is a unique individual that has slightly different genes than their siblings. So, some puppies may look more like their Great Dane parent, while the others look more like their Great Pyrenes parent. Their temperament is also determined by the genes inherited from the parents.
So, we have to look at the parents to better understand how the puppy may grow up. If the parents are even-tempered, then there’s a good chance the puppies will be, too. As for their looks, this will vary between puppies. But one thing we know for sure is that Great Pyredane puppies are adorable!
Let’s start with the Great Dane. The Great Dane dog breed was developed about 400 years ago. The dogs were bred to hunt boar in Europe and the Great Pyrenees. The dogs were extremely popular in Germany during the 1500s on.
The Great Pyredane’s other parent is the Great Pyrenees, also referred to as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. This is a very ancient dog breed that comes from the Pyrenees Mountains. These dogs were bred to guard sheep and cattle in the mountains. During the 1600s, the dogs were even named the Royal Dog fo France by Dauphin Louis XIV.
The Great Pyredane usually stands between 27-33 inches and weighs about 80 to 120 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
With parents like this, you know the Great Pyredane is a great dog hybrid dog breed!
Temperament of the Great Pyredane
The Great Pyredane is somewhat aloof and independent. They’re also sensitive to their pet parents and eager to please. What’s more, they’re also good with kids, even small children. In addition, the Great Pyredane also gets along with other pets. However, they can be very protective of the kids and other pets in their homes. They may also be aggressive towards strangers on occasion.
The dogs are highly intelligent and easily become bored. So, it’s important not to leave them alone for too long. And be sure to provide plenty of interactive toys to keep the dogs from making up their own fun! We warn you that what the dog considers fun is not the same as a pet parent’s fun idea. Don’t be surprised if your large dog becomes bored and chews up about anything and everything in sight!
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Ask a Vet Live NowAre Great Pyredanes Good for Families?
Yes, Great Pyredanes are excellent family companions. They’re very friendly and even-tempered. In addition, they can also deal well with treatment from young kids. However, they may hurt kids by accident.
Remember that these are large dogs, and they may not realize their size and strength when playing with young children. So, be sure to always supervise your fur baby and kids when they’re playing. (This is true for all dog breeds, too).
Great Pyredane Appearance
As noted earlier, the Great Pyredane is a hybrid dog, and it’s difficult to predict what the puppies will look like. However, we can provide you with general information about this hybrid dog breed.
Great Pyredanes usually have a rectangular head that’s not heavy, like a bulldog’s. They have almond-shaped eyes that are usually brown. However, these dogs can also have eyes of a lighter color, including blue. The dogs’ ears are set high on the head and fold forward. And Great Pyredanes have a long, straight tail like the Great Dane. However, some may also have a “shepherd’s crook” in their tails. This is a genetic mutation that comes from the Great Pyrenees dog breed.
When it comes to their coat, the Great Pyredane may have a short, shiny coat like the Great Dane, or they may also have the dense undercoat from their Great Pyrenees parent. The coat of the Great Pyredane may come in several different colors, including white, blue, brindle, black, and fawn.
Great Pyredane Health
Great Pyredanes are usually pretty healthy dogs; however, they can develop certain health issues, including the following:
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Heart issues
- Hypothyroidism
- Deafness
- Osteochondrodysplasia
- Osteosarcoma
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Wobbler’s syndrome
Caring for a Great Pyredane
Fortunately, these dogs are easy to maintain, in spite of their size! They usually require a bath about once a month (or less) unless they get into something really dirty and gross! Great Pyredanes shed quite a bit, so regular brushing is needed to control shed hair.
These dogs require about 40 to 60 minutes of exercise a day; however, these should be kept short. They love to play fetch, walk, and more. They don’t make good running partners.
The Great Pyredane needs high-quality dog food to support his size. The best dog food includes real meat (as the first ingredient on the label) and real vegetables. Avoid dog foods that contain preservatives, additives, and more. These are not good for any dog breed. The Great Pyredane needs to eat 4-6 cups of food every day!
Summing It Up
The Great Pyredane is an easy dog to care for, and they do well with kids and other pets! For these reasons, this hybrid dog breed makes a great family companion.
So, if you’re looking for a large dog that makes a wonderful family companion, then the Great Pyredane might be a great choice for you and your family!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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