Dogs have a way of showing you that they are bored and in need of another dog for companion. One breed that aces at this are the Great Pyrenees.
This strong-willed and goal-oriented dog will misbehave without any physical exertion, follow you around, chew on anything, or run away and come back(maybe!) after a few days, all in a bid to tell you that it actually bored and its time you get it another dog to play with.
If you are searching for the best companion dog for Great Pyrenees, the chances are that your Pyr finally got to you.
So, if you are wondering what dog companion will best suit your headstrong hound, then don’t fret, as this article has got your back!
I walk you through 12 dog breeds that are sure to bring out the best of your Pyrs if you adopt them as its companion(s).
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Australian Shepherd (Aussie)
This California-bred workaholic and protective hounds have its roots descending from a number of pastoral herding sheepdogs.
Its functional long and wavy double coat comes in varying coloration and patterns, with each dog having its unique coat pattern.
This breed can be born with pups that have either long or short tails.
Its loyal, even-tempered, protective, affectionate, easy to adapt, and tolerant to strong-willed dogs, which makes it a good fit for an equally adventurous Pyrenees.
Anatolian Shepherd
A book dating back to 1800 B.C. by the name’ Book Of Job’ written in the Turkish language has the Anatolian shepherd dog described in it as a workaholic and strong-willed breed.
This canine was so valuable to the Turks to the extent that they never at one time exported any of the hounds out of their country until 1950.
This hound gained popularity in America in the 1970s after it tirelessly worked to protect the Endangered Species In America.
Fun Facts
- They are used in Namibia to protect Cheetahs
- They were first imported to the U.S.A. for a secret government program (the results were not productive to say the least!)
Temperament
Despite putting itself first, this dog breed is known for its nonaggressive, bold, affectionate, friendly, protective, and sharp-witted nature.
Why Adopt This Hound For Your Pyr?
- They are protective and dominant in nature and won’t mind putting a stubborn Great Pyrenees in its place (of course, with love)
- They are not aggressive
Bernese Mountain Dog
With a tendency to bark loudly and a self-confident attitude, the Bernese or Berner dogs are one of the 4 types of Sennehund/ Swiss Mountain dogs.
First bred in Switzerland about 2000 years ago to herd cattle and pull carts.
Physical Features And Lifespan
This highly energetic and pet-friendly dog has a lifespan of 6-8 years.
Its tricolored long coat, black nose, dry and clean lips, slightly oval dark brown eyes, and triangular-shaped ears accentuate the already striking features of these dog breeds.
NOTE; this dog is a heavy shedder; hence it’s not a good fit if you suffer from allergic reactions due to dog dander.
If you adopt this loyal doggie, ensure that you regularly take it for cancer screening, as half of them pass on due to cancer or cancer-related complications.
Temperament
They are known for their gentle and calm disposition, loyalty, eagerness to please, easy to train, and unquestionably obedient nature.
What Makes This Mountain Dog A Good Fit For Your Pyrenees
- It’s even-tempered
- It’s nonaggressive when properly trained
Old English Sheepdog (O.E.S.)
Also known as Shepherd’s dog or the bob-tailed-sheep-dog. Its origins can be traced back to 100 years on the Southwestern side of England.
Unlike most of the dog breeds in this article which were bred to herd livestock, this dog was bred to be a drover that is drive sheep and cattle to the market for sale.
Physical Features And Lifespan
With a bearlike gait and a thick double coat that is water-resistant, these dogs have been known to have a lifespan of 10 -12 years.
Their coats can be blue, gray, blue merle, or grizzle in color.
They can grow to 22 inches and above and weigh around 27-45 kilograms if fed adequately with the proper nutrition.
They can have blue or brown eyes, with some dogs having both eye colors (a relatively common and normal eye condition in canines known as heterochromia).
Temperament
This humorous dog is immensely loved due to its intelligence, highly extroverted, playful, curious, and easy to adopt nature.
What Makes An O.E.S. The Best Companion For Great Pyrenees?
- It’s not reserved when it comes to making new bonds with dogs of different breeds
- It’s evenly playful like Pyrs
Another Great Pyrenees
Filled with an amazing personality and a striking physical appearance, this dog breed is quite a fit for either an experienced or a novice dog owner.
And what a lovely gift to gift your Pyr with a breed that has the same temperament as it has.
Just make sure that you adopt a great Pyrenees of the opposite sex for your Pyrs as the two will get along quite well.
PS; be ready to take care of newborn puppies after 4 months if both of the breeds are mature enough to mate.
Australian Cattle Dog
With the temperament of a 14-year-old and a lifespan of 13-15 years, the Australian Cattle Dog makes a good fit for a well-behaved and energetic Pyr.
It was originally bred in the 19th by Thomas Hall, an Australian rancher (in New South Wales, a state on the east coast of Australia), to herd cattle and drive them to the market.
Its broad skull, oval dark eyes, muscular and powerful muzzle, and double-layered thick coat give this dog breed a keen and sturdy physique.
What Makes This Dog The Best Companion For Your Pyr?
- It rarely engages in physical brawls
- It’s equally energetic and well-mannered like its new play mate
Border Collie
With an easy-to-groom straight double coat that comes in shades of black with or without white markings, red-white, merle, or sable, these energetic dogs make a good fit for families who have other dogs around them.
They can grow to heights of 20-27 inches long and live for 10-14 years as long as they are provided with a healthy diet and enough daily physical exercises that last for not less than 40 minutes.
Their easy-going, friendly, protective, energetic, even-tempered, and nonaggressive traits make them good companions for the well-behaved Pyrenees.
Tibetan Mastiff
‘Do Khyi'(which translates to a tied dog) is the Chinese name for this large-sized hound.
This dog breed is a primitive hound that dates its origins back in the high-altitude mountains of Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateaus.
Originally used by the Tibetan monks and the Tibet nomads as a guardian of the flock, this breed has retained most of its physical features over the years, no wonder the ‘primitive label in its name.
Quick Fun Facts
- The females only ovulate once a year
- The natives of the Tibet plateau believe that these hounds have the souls of the monks and nuns who were not reincarnated into people
- They don’t shed their coats; instead, they ‘blow it’ once a year
Physical Features And Lifespan
Unlike most big-dog breeds coats’ the Tibetan Mastiff is unique as its coats which may be black, brown, red gold, or blue-grey, lacks the characteristic big-dog smell.
It can grow to 21-30 inches long, with most of them weighing around 34-68kgs.
Most of these hypoallergenic breeds can live for 12-15 years if they are not plagued with autoimmune thyroiditis or seizures.
Temperament
Despite their intimidating size, these hounds can be pretty affectionate even to small-sized pets around them when properly trained and socialized.
Their loyal, friendly, independent, and protective nature makes them good dogs to have around.
Why Is This Large-Sized Dog Breed The Best Companion For Great Pyrenees?
- Its independent thus won’t be clingy to your Pyrs once they become socialized
- It’s extremely friendly despite its intimidating demeanor
Siberian Husky
Similar looking to the Alaskan Malamute, this hound is also known as the Chukcha(since the Chukchi tribe bred them), Sibe, or the Husky among the Siberian Husky lovers.
This workaholic and born to run dog breed lived up to its name when it ran for 550 km in a storm with strong winds to deliver diphtheria antitoxins to a diphtheria-struck town.
Physical Features And Lifespan
Coming in coat colors of white, black, gray and white, Sable and White, silver grey, gray, red, and white, these hounds can live up to 12-15 years.
Their erect triangular ears, blue or brown eyes (sometimes they can have eyes with different colors), and a long body that measures 3- 35 inches make this breed revered.
Temperament
This sled pulling dog breed is known for its watchful, outgoing, gentle, intelligent, and willful nature.
What Makes A Sibe The Best Companion For Great Pyrenees?
- It’s a nonaggressive dog that is sure to complement your Pyrs personality
- It’s equally outgoing like the Great Pyrenees
Malamute
The Alaska state dog (since 2010) is a breed that was once used in Arctic expeditions. Its origins date back to 5 centuries ago.
The Alaskan Malamutes were directly involved in the development and industrial revolution of Alaska as they tirelessly worked to deliver mails and transport supplies even before Alaska was known to the world.
They also played an essential role during World War II as they were used to sniff for mines, conduct successful search and rescue drills, and carry weapons to the solders in the isolated mountains.
Physical Features And Life Expectancy
Weighing around 30-45 kgs and growing to a height of 23-25 inches long, this dog has a life expectancy of 10-12 years if it doesn’t have any underlying medical conditions.
Its broad head and dark brown eyes coupled with prick ears give this dog a bold and athletic look.
Its coat color comes in several shades: gray, sable, red, all of which have a big white patch on the belly, feet, and face.
White coat-colored Malamutes are the only solid color in this sturdy bred.
Temperament
Despite their outstanding military workmanship, these dogs are known to be very affectionate and cuddly.
They are also workaholics, willful, extraordinarily outgoing, and loyal.
What Makes This ‘Sassy’ Dog The Best Companion For Great Pyrenees?
- It’s equally a workaholic, just like the Pyrs
- ·It’s an extremely outgoing dog breed that will fairly suit your Pyrenees’ personality
Beagle
Originally bred in England to hunt small animals, this scent hound has since then evolved in both physical features and personality to fit into a family devoted and loving dog.
This dog is not as highly vocal as most people assume but only barks when it feels threatened or picks up a new scent.
It loves living in packs and will adapt to an indoor lifestyle as long as you provide it daily with 30 minutes to 1-hour of physical stimulation in the outdoors.
Physical Features And Lifespan
Measuring 12-16 inches, these canines can live for 12-15 years.
Most of these hounds are multicolored, with the lemon-white, red-white, orange-white, and tricolor being the most predominant coat shades.
Their brown eyes, floppy ears, and broadhead make this dog breed adopt a more adorable face that is hard not to love.
Temperament
This cordial, set-on dog is known for its high-spirited, even-tempered, sharp-witted, and outgoing nature.
What Makes This Hound A Fit For Your Pyrenees?
- It’s equally active like a Pyrs
- It’s even-tempered, making it able to tolerate a Pyrenees personality
Pyrenean Shepherd
Measuring around 12-20 inches long, this dog breed holds the smallest French herding dog breeds title.
Despite its miniature physique, this hound aces at its tasks and can be pretty stubborn if not properly trained at a young age.
Sometimes referred to as a ‘ball of fire’ due to its dynamic nature it can have a blue, brindle, fawn, merle, white, black, or white coat.
This bossy hound can live for 15-17 years as long as it doesn’t have any underlying medical conditions such as patent ductus arteriosus (P.D.A. a persistent opening between the 2 major blood vessels in the dog’s heart) and epilepsy.
What Makes It The Best Companion For Great Pyrenees?
- It’s equally outgoing and playful like a Pyrs
- It’s a nonaggressive dog that takes friendship bonds quite seriously
Is Great Pyrenees Good With Small Companion Dogs?
Yes, the Great Pyrs are good with small companion dogs.
You only need to make sure that the small-sized dog is well socialized and trained before introducing it to these well-mannered hounds.
Suppose your Pyr seems not to get along with its new canine companion.
In that case, it’s recommended that you enroll both hounds in socialization classes or have a specialist animal behavior professionally socialize the two.
