Pyrenean Sheepdog (Longhaired)

Origin & history

The Pyrenean Sheepdog comes from the Pyrenees Mountains of southern France, where it has worked alongside shepherds for centuries as the nimble droving and herding partner to the larger Pyrenean Mountain Dog, which did the guarding. Small, fast and tireless, it moved and controlled flocks across steep, rough terrain on very little food, prized for stamina and an almost obsessive will to work rather than for looks. It is one of the oldest of the French herding breeds. The breed gained wider recognition after the First World War, in which many were used as messenger and search dogs in the mountains, and the French standard was drawn up in 1926, defining the long-haired and smooth-faced varieties. It remains uncommon in Australia and is very much a working and dog-sport breed rather than a common pet.

Temperament

The Pyrenean Sheepdog is bright, hyper-energetic and deeply devoted, bonding intensely with one or two people and watching them constantly. It is affectionate and lively with its family but characteristically suspicious and reserved with strangers, a wariness built into the working dog, so thorough early socialisation is essential to keep it from becoming timid or sharp. It can be good with children it knows, though its sensitive, reactive nature and strong herding instinct mean it may try to chase and nip at running kids and needs supervision and guidance. With other dogs and pets it varies, and the herding drive can spill over into chasing. It is extremely intelligent and learns at speed, excelling in agility, obedience and herding, but that same quick, sensitive mind means it needs gentle, positive, consistent handling and a real outlet, or the energy curdles into nervous barking, spinning and destructiveness.

Appearance

The Pyrenean Sheepdog is one of the smallest of the herding breeds, standing about 38 to 48 cm at the shoulder in the long-haired variety, with females at the lower end, and weighing roughly 7 to 15 kg. It is light, sinewy and clearly built for agility rather than power, often looking a little tousled and unkempt by design. The long-haired variety has a long to demi-long coat, harsh in texture, that can form natural cords or flat locks, especially over the hindquarters, with a woolly undercoat. Colours include various shades of fawn, grey, brindle, blue merle and harlequin, sometimes with black overlay or white markings. The expression is lively, alert and intensely watchful, framed by hair over the eyes.

Suitability

This is a breed for an active, experienced owner, ideally one involved in dog sports such as agility or with actual stock to work, and it is genuinely happiest with a job. It needs a house with a securely fenced yard and a great deal of daily exercise plus mental stimulation, and it is a poor match for apartment life, sedentary households or anyone out at work all day, since boredom and loneliness quickly produce anxiety and noise. It is not an ideal first dog, as the energy, sensitivity and wariness take some managing. It bonds so closely that it dislikes being left alone for long. On the Australian climate, the harsh long coat offers some protection but the breed copes better with cool mountain conditions than with real heat, so it needs shade, water and exercise in the cooler parts of hot days, along with regular grooming to keep the coat free of mats.

Health

Pyrenean Sheepdogs are typically a hardy, long-lived breed, often reaching 12 to 15 years and sometimes more, helped by being a genuine working breed selected for soundness. The conditions to be aware of are largely the ones common to active herders. Hip dysplasia occurs, so hip scoring of breeding dogs is sensible, and patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, is seen in this small breed. Inherited eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy, are reported, so eye testing matters, and epilepsy turns up in some lines. As a fast, agile dog it can also pick up cruciate and other sporting injuries. Choose a breeder who hip scores, does eye testing, and is open about the health and temperament of their lines, since the highly strung nature of the breed makes sound, well-socialised parents particularly important. Routine vet care and keeping the dog lean and fit complete the picture.