Looking for a giant dog companion but wanting something that is gentle and sweet? Maybe you want a protector for the house or kids but need a dog who's still lovable and friendly? The Pyredoodle might just be the dog for you.
A mix between Great Pyrenees and a standard Poodle, this gentle giant is a beloved hybrid dog breed for being a protector and an incredibly sensitive and careful puppy at heart. Not to mention, it is a low-shedding breed!
So is a Pyredoodle designer dog for you? Let's find out.
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
How easily a dog deals with living in an apartment. Despite the dog's size, you should also consider energy level, calmness, and friendliness.
Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to panic and separation anxiety when left alone. When left alone, they can become very destructive, bark, whine, chew and cause mayhem. These breeds do best in a home with a family member around during the day, can go to work with their owner, or recommend attending doggy day care if the owner is not home during the day.
Low sensitivity dogs are easygoing, tolerant, and resilient. They can handle a noisy and chaotic household, a loud or assertive owner, and tolerate an inconsistent or variable routine.
Short coat and little to no coat breeds are vulnerable to cold climates. These breeds will have a low cold tolerance and need to live inside in a cool climate and should have a jacket or sweater on for chilly walks.
Breeds with a thick and double coat are vulnerable to overheating. Breeds with a short nose and flat face are also vulnerable as they can't pant as well to cool themselves off. If these breeds of dog live in a warm and humid environment, you will need to be extra cautious about taking them outdoor in the heat.
Friendliness
Friendliness towards cats and humans is very different. Some breeds are gentle and accept cats readily as part of the family. Some breeds will chase, fight, or rough play with a cat and cause severe injury. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
Friendliness towards other dogs. Some dogs may try to dominate other dogs and attack and fight, while others would rather play. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members or other people he knows well. Some breeds are independent, some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while others treat everyone they know like it's their best friend.
Breed, however, isn't the only factor affecting affection levels. Proper socialization and training can improve the situation.
Kid-friendly dogs should be gentle with children, be more tolerant of screaming and running children as well as other children's behavior.
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some dogs will greet a stranger with wagging tails, while others are shy, reserved, cautious, or aggressive. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
Health And Grooming
Amount of bathing, brushing, trimming, and professional grooming needs. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm or wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If you've got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine. But if you are a neat freak, dogs that are drool prone may not be the right choice for you.
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. However, this doesn't mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases, and it just means that they're at an increased risk.
If you're adopting or rescuing a puppy, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup's parents and other relatives.
If you are purchasing from a breeder, be sure to do your research. Purchase from a reputable breeder and ask for the parent's health records to understand what potential health issue your pup may have.
Amount and frequency of dog hair shedding.
If you are getting a dog, you'll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some "blow" seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all.
Trainability
Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt, an action, and a reward (such as treats, appraise, or toys). Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training.
Dogs bred for jobs requiring decision-making, intelligence, and concentration, need to exercise their brains. Such as, dogs bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they don't get the mental stimulation they need, they can become destructive and exhibit behaviors such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Common in most breeds during the puppy stage. Mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn't puncture the skin). Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or "herd" their human family members, and they need the training to learn that it's fine to gnaw on chew toys but not on people. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy squeaky toys, as well as a good chew on a toy that's been stuffed with kibble and treats.
Dogs who were bred to hunt have an inborn desire to chase--and sometimes kill. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, or rabbits, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small animals. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase. But you'll probably have difficulty getting their attention when birds fly by.
Some breeds are more vocal than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passing bird, some may use other sounds to express themselves.
Physical And Mental Needs
The amount of physical and mental stimulation a breed needs. High-energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. Low-energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to lay around and sleep.
Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities. Without the brain exercise they need, they can be destructive and have unwanted behavior issues.
A dog's inclination to be protective of his family members, home, yard, or even car.
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window.
Origin
The origin of the Pyredoodle, like many poodle mixes, began in the 1980s with the rise in popularity of partially hypoallergenic designer dogs. Pyredoodles may have existed earlier as natural mutts, but they really began to be purposefully bred by the 2000s, most likely in the United States, as hypoallergenic companion dogs.
Pyredoodles are the hybrid of a Standard Poodle and a Great Pyrenees. They are also known as the Great Pyrenees Poodle, Pyreneespoo, Pyrepoo, and Pyreneesdoodle.
Pyredoodles are not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as there is not yet a standard for the breed regarding appearance and temperament. This does not mean, however, that you won't have any idea of what kind of dog you are getting. Most Pyredoodles will be some variation of their poodle parent and Great Pyrenees parent, though how much of each largely depends on lineage.
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 85-95 lbs
Height: 28-32"
Weight: 90-100 lbs
Life Span: 10-12
Breed Group: Sport
Size
The Pyredoodle is a large breed of dog with adult dogs that can reach heights of 22-32 inches and weigh 85-100 pounds. The more Great Pyrenees in the hybrid's bloodline, the bigger the Pyredoodle will be.
Personality
Pyredoodles have great personalities. Being a mix of two intelligent species that are known for their loyalty and protectiveness, Pyredoodle makes a perfect dog for a family with kids and other pets.
They are friendly, loving, calm, and loyal dogs while also being protective. This makes them great family dogs, watchdogs, and protectors of small childcare or households. They are even-tempered dogs and are the very definition of a gentle giant.
Some Pyredoodles tend to be shy dogs, with proper socialization, they can gain the confidence to guard your home.
Appearance/Colors
A Pyredoodle's color and coat type will vary depending on the parentage they inherit from their parents. They could have coats colored black, white, grey, cream, or apricot. Their coats will be shorter and wavy if they lean more towards their poodle parent. A Pyredoodle leaning more towards its Great Pyrenees genes will have a straighter, thick double coat.
Temperament
Pyredoodles have very even temperaments and make great family dogs. Their protective nature makes them natural guardians of small children and other small pets. Very gentle and careful with small children and wary of strangers and make ideal watchdogs. Non-aggressive with family and are generally quiet unless they sense danger. They make good companions for moderately active families and individuals, though their size may not make them appropriate for everyone.
Diet/Nutritional Needs
As a big breed dog, a Pyredoodle needs a lot of food. However, this breed is also prone to weight gain, so it is important to measure your dog's daily food and keep treats to a minimum. You will need high-quality food designed for large dog breeds high in calcium and phosphorus to ensure your dog's bones develop well. This is particularly true for your Pyredoodle puppy.
This breed is only a medium-energy dog so if you are unsure about the current amount, always consult with your vet about the correct amount given your dog's particular size, age, and activity levels.
With this breed, you should also be careful to ensure that your Pyredoodle doesn't eat too fast, as this can easily lead to bloat. Use a slow feeder or provide smaller portions of meals.
Activity/Exercise Needs
The Pyredoodle is a smart dog and can get bored very easily. It is a fairly active dog that will not only need regular daily exercise but plenty of puzzle toys and interactive games or trick training. However, due to this breed's large size, you should be careful not to over-exercise your Pyredoodle either since this can lead to joint issues.
Plan on getting your dog out for at least thirty minutes every day, walking, jogging, or swimming. An off-leash dog park is not ideal for this dog breed since they are prone to wandering and can be aggressive towards strangers.
Additionally, be careful not to exercise your Pyredoodle dog too soon after or before feeding since this can lead to bloat. Wait an hour or two before or after feeding to exercise your Pyredoodle.
This is a breed of dog prone to weight gain and who will be lazy if not regularly engaged in an activity, so while it does not have high exercise needs, you will need to commit to a daily routine.
Grooming Needs
Like its parent breeds, the Pyredoodles have a dense coat that requires medium to low grooming needs. If your Pyredoodle inherits more Great Pyrenees traits, it may have a thick double coat. If it inherits more Poodle gene pools, it may have a dense single coat that is low shed and easier to keep neat.
Despite being a low shedding dog, you should still aim to regularly brush your Pyredoodle to prevent mats and tangles and plan to take it to the groomers every two months.
Bathing your Pyredoodle is not recommended as this can make angels and mats much worse and lead to skin issues. Regularly check your dog's nails and trim as needed. Examine ears routinely as well, checking for any signs of debris or irritation.
Adaptability
The Pyredoodle mixed breed dog is relatively adaptable and does well with children and other dogs, making it suitable for families. They can also thrive in apartment settings since they have lower exercise needs and are not overly hyper. These dogs do not tolerate the heat well, so plan ahead for hotter seasons. They thrive in cold weather, thanks to that thick Great Pyrenees coat.
Trainability of a Pyredoodle Puppy
Pyredoodles are smart, brilliant dogs that are relatively easy to train. They can be a bit stubborn, so consistency and patience are key, along with positive reinforcement. You should start training at an early age to keep any bad habits from taking root and maintain good practices throughout your dog's life. Early socialization will ensure that your puppy grows into a gentle, well-mannered dog despite their large size and tendency towards suspicion of strangers.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for a relatively healthy Pyredoodle is 10-12 years.
Potential Health Issues
Like most hybrid breeds, the Pyredoodle is less prone to disease than either of its purebred parents. However, the issues could be related to its parents' common illnesses and conditions, and ensuring that Pyredoodle puppies' parents are health screened can go a long way to reducing caches of hereditary conditions.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is the malformation of a puppy or dog's joints due primarily to genetics. While it may not bother younger dogs, it can be excruciating. Early health screenings may be able to help you assess the likelihood of hip dysplasia in your puppy.
Eye Problems
Common eyes issues Pyredoodles could suffer from include—
- Conjunctivitis
- Cataracts
- Corneal ulcers
- Glaucoma
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Bloat
Bloat is a dangerous condition that results when a dog's stomach fills with gas, extending and twisting, preventing food from entering or exiting the stomach.
Cancer
Common cancer types seen in Pyredoodles include—
- Mast cell tumors
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Bone cancer
- Hemangiosarcoma
Patellar Luxation
This is a condition that is a result of a dog's kneecap moving out of place. It is a genetic condition that can lead to limb or joint pain or even eventual lameness.
Cushing's Disease
This disease occurs when the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. This excess of cortisol puts the dog at risk of other conditions that can lead to kidney damage, diabetes, and even death.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism in canines affects the thyroid's ability to produce or regulate certain metabolism-related hormones.
