Pyrenean Shepherd
History
The Pyrenean Shepherd is an ancient dog whose home is the Pyrenees Mountains in Southern France. The skeletons of small boned dogs are plentiful in the Neolithic sub-fossil deposits of this area. Herding of sheep and goats was already well developed by 6000 B.C., which had modified the local ecology.
Herding has been part of this region for a long time and even is today the Pyrenean Shepherd is on the scene working. This breed is mentioned in Medieval writings. Nineteenth century lithographs and paintings picture the Pyrenean Shepherd. Some better known examples are Chein de Berger de Petite Race by Buffon and Le Retour du Berger by Decamps.
Some other names for this breed are: Pyrenees Sheepdog, Berger des Pyrenees, and Petit Berger. During World War I, they worked as rescue dogs, watchdogs, and couriers in France. A Pyrenean Shepherd gained the World Agility Championship in 2003 in the mid-sized dog category.
General Looks
This breed is the most petite amongst the French herding canines. The dog's head is small compared to the body proportion. The skull is flat and the muzzle is short and triangular shaped. The almond shaped eyes are gray or dark. The ears are usually cropped, have a wide base, and set on the head's top. The Pyrenean Shepherd has a long, svelte body. The hocks have the characteristics of a foot-sure mountain breed: the legs are proportioned well, the hocks are angulated well, and are lean.
Is This Your Breed?
He flourishes with active people. His work reigns him. He is a wonderful, ardent, and active companion that wants to be included in your activities. His coat requires scant upkeep; it needs to be brushed once each week. Also, look for matting or burrs stuck in fur.
Coat
The coat comes in two types: rough-faced and smooth-faced. The rough-faced may be long or demi-long fur. The rough-faced has longer fur upon the muzzle and face. There isn't a beard look and the face isn't obscured. The smooth-faced grows shorter, fine fur on its muzzle with a moderate ruff surrounding the face and neck.
Color
The colors are fawn, tan, copper, black, gray, and brindle.
Personality
The Pyrenean Shepherd is very energetic. He needs work. He is clever and excellent at agility, showmanship, herding, and tracking events, competitive obedience, and fly-ball. He tends to be more attached to one person and likes to help his master. He can sense his master's mood very well. But he is affectionate towards his family. He is leery of strangers
He is very trainable due to his watchfulness. He needs socialization early and often to stop shyness or aggressive tendencies. It is his nature to be wary, which is a good herding dog trait for protecting the flock and master, couple that with his bossing trait and the need for socialization comes about.
Pyrenean Shepherd video:
Tags: petit berger, sheep and goats, berger des pyrenees, Pyrenean, Berger, muzzle
American Shepherd breed of dogs
You must log in to post a comment.