The Great Pyrenees is a lovable pet but it is larger than your average dog.
Some pet owners are fine with keeping their big dogs inside. But if you have a lot of breakables in your home or have allergies you might have other plans.
Really, it’s no wonder that some people want to keep this pet outdoors.
But, is it safe to keep your Great Pyrenees outside in the winter, summer, and other seasons of the year?
In this post, I’ll talk about whether this is the right option for this breed. In most cases, a dog will prefer to live inside with its owner.
If you need to keep your dog outside, I will tell you what this breed can handle though. I’ll answer the question, can Great Pyrenees live outside.
[wpsm_toplist]
Can Great Pyrenees Live Outside?
As Adult
The Great Pyrenees is a durable breed that was bred to withstand extreme weather conditions.
This dog has a very thick coat that can make it easier for them to live outdoors. Great Pyrenees also like to live in large spaces.
So, in some cases, your home might not be a big enough space for your dog. And they might actually prefer to live outdoors so they have all the room they want.
Still, you have to consider the personality of your dog.
Some Great Pyrenees like to be closer to their owners even in a smaller space. Other dogs might prefer to live outside.
As Puppy
However, if your dog is a puppy, make sure that you don’t keep them outside all the time.
In fact, I advise you to limit their time outside as puppies are not prepared to live alone.
Not only can they get into trouble. But these dogs also don’t have a fully developed coat like their adult counterparts.
Puppies need more care and attention. Keep this in mind as you decide whether you want your dog to stay indoors or outdoors.
And while adult dogs can do fine on their own outside you don’t want to keep them locked out of the house all the time.
You need to spend time with your dog so they stay healthy and sociable.
Do Great Pyrenees Like Cold Weather?
Great Pyrenees are actually best suited for cold weather. In fact, they will like to cool off outside during the winter when their fur coat gets really thick.
Cold weather is fine for this furry pet. But you want to exercise caution. The Great Pyrenees can be outdoor pets.
But when extreme weather and cold start to hit your area it is best to keep your dog indoors.
I’ll talk more about the temperatures that your Pyrenees can withstand.
Still, this dog can live in the cold and even like cold weather as they were bread on snowy mountain tops.
Which Winter Temperatures Can Your Great Pyrenees Withstand?
So, what weather is ideal for your pet Pyrenees?
Again, these dogs can handle colder weather, but you don’t want to leave them out in the cold when the weather is really intense or extremely cold!
Your dog has a coat with two layers, but when the temperature reaches below 15°F (-9.4°C) this can be dangerous for your dog.
20°F (-6.6 °C) is a more comfortable range for your pet.
These mountain dogs do love snow and the cold. But don’t let them stay outside in a severe snowstorm or in weather that is below fifteen degrees fahrenheit.
Especially if your dog is a puppy you don’t want to expose them to too much cold. In addition, watch out for rain and other wet weather.
Your dog can withstand colder weather but if they are wet and it gets colder their skin can start to freeze up. This can be extremely dangerous.
What Signs Should You Look For So Your Dog Won’t get Hypothermia?
Still, how exactly can you know if your dog is freezing?
You want to bring your dog inside if it is too cold for them, but you might not know the signs of hypothermia.
Here, I’ll talk about some common signs that you should be on the lookout for with your Pyrenees;
First off, if your dog is visibly shaking and shivering, it might be time to bring your pet indoors.
This means that your dog is uncomfortable and could even be experiencing hypothermia.
Other signs to look out for include lack of movement, wobbling, and lethargic motions. If your dog looks like they can’t stand up or have trouble balancing bring them indoors immediately.
Finally, check your dog’s gums and see if their pupils are dilated.
If you see these signs, your dog needs to go indoors right away. I recommend using a blanket and turning up your heat.
Give them some water too!
Can Great Pyrenees Live in Hot Weather?
Great Pyrenees are suited to living in cold weather but what about warm weather. Do Great Pyrenees like to live in hot weather?
To answer this question, yes, the great pyrenees does like warmer weather.
They won’t want to be outside when it is extremely hot, especially if it is humid. But they do shed during summer and can handle climates that are quite warm.
You just have to be careful and watch out for signs of heatstroke and hyperthermia. This way your dog is safe.
Overall, in the summer months, you should be more mindful. As these pets can overheat quite a lot.
Like with cold weather always check to make sure the temperature is right for your Great Pyrenees.
I’ll tell you specific temperature ranges in the next section of this post.
How Hot Can A Great Pyrenees Get?
So, how much hot weather can your Great Pyrenees withstand exactly.
If you are considering leaving your dog outside in the heat, you never want them to be in weather warmer than 70°F (21.1°C) .
This can seem low, but remember that your dog is bred for the cold. And even though they shed their fur substantially they still get pretty hot.
In other words, don’t leave your dog outside past seventy degrees fahrenheit if you can.
This breed can withstand up to eighty degrees Fahrenheit (26.7°C). But past this, it can get dangerous for your dog. Humidity can make this even worse for your pet.
What Signs to Look Out For So Your Pyrenees Won’t Get Hyperthermia or Heatstroke?
Again, it is highly important that you look out for signs of heat stroke and hyperthermia. It’s easier for your dog to succumb to heatstroke or overheating than you might think.
In particular, look out for these specific signs I will talk about here:
If your pet is starting to pant a lot and breathe heavily, it could be time to bring them indoors.
The Pyrenees will also be warmer when you touch them or pet them if they are overheated.
Drooling is another sign to be mindful of as your dog may drool a lot and become dehydrated.
More obvious signs include an inability to move or get up. And if your pet is vomiting or having runny poop bring them indoors immediately.
It’s never worth it to endanger your dog so look out for these signs to keep your pet safe and happy.
What Things Should You Consider When Your Great Pyrenees Lives Outside?
What should you consider if you are going to leave your great Pyrenees outside for long stretches of hours?
I went over many different factors here.
But I’ll get into the specifics and outline exactly what you need to think about in this final section of the post.
Consider Your Dogs Age
I talked about this a lot at the beginning of the post. But you want to consider your dog’s age.
Puppies are especially susceptible to overheating and hypothermia. Their fur coats are not fully developed and it is not a great idea to leave them outdoors.
If your dog is a healthy adult it can be fine to let them live outside. But older dogs with health problems should also be considered.
If your dog isn’t in great health keep them inside so they are more comfortable.
Make Sure You Have A Dog House
[amazon box=”B0006L2QF0″]
You shouldn’t leave your dog out in the open if they are going to live outside. Even if your dog is bred for outdoor weather, they need to have some kind of shelter.
Especially if it starts to snow or rain, they need to be kept somewhere safe so they can stay warm.
Alternatively, a dog house can help keep your dog out of the heat. As Pyrenees have a lot of fur they shouldn’t be in direct sunlight for too long. Dogs need shade after all.
Be Mindful Of The Weather
I have talked about this extensively. But you can’t dismiss the weather. Dogs like the Great Pyrenees need to be in the right weather conditions.
Always keep a weather app handy. Check that the weather isn’t too hot or too cold. And bring your dog inside if it if you see a storm on the horizon.
Snow that piles up and extreme heat are what you need to be on the lookout for!
Make Sure To Set Out Water
Water is one of the most important things you need to consider. Without water your dog cannot survive outside.
Make sure your pet has access to plenty of water. Food can be left outside but you don’t want to keep it out at night as animals can get to it.
In addition, change your pets water often. This way they don’t drink dirty contaminated water.
Fence Your Yard
Your dog should not be able to escape your property. So, make sure that you have fencing along you yard.
You can put your dog in your backyard or front yard. Just make sure your fence is sturdy and tall enough. This way your pet won’t wander off.
Dogs can get into all kinds of trouble if you aren’t careful!
Protect Your Dog From Bugs and Parasites
[amazon box=”B00B8CG602″]
Weather isn’t the only danger your dog will face outdoors. It’s important to protect your pet with flea and tick guard.
You can get parasite protection from your local pet shop or the vet. But make sure to not skip over this important step.
If your dog is exposed to parasites and isn’t taking preventative medicine they will get sick. This is something that you can easily stop from happening if you are proactive.
Secure Your Property
Finally, you want to check your property thoroughly. Dogs are accident prone and can get into all kinds of dangerous things if you aren’t careful.
First check to make sure that chemicals and other toxins are put away. This includes weed killer and other lawn chemicals.
Once you put those out of reach, check you tools and other power equipment. You don’t want your dog to hurt themselves.
Sharp tools can be really dangerous for pets. But also check that the plants on your property are not poisonous.
Trash should also be put away and food should be stored for the night so other animals won’t disturb your dog.
Conclusion
If you are wondering do the Great Pyrenees like cold weather and can Great Pyrenees live outside I have answered all your questions here.
The Great Pyrenees love nature and being outdoors. But there are limits to consider with this breed.
While this dog can withstand harsher temperatures, it is important to watch your dog.
You don’t want to leave them outside all the time. Especially when the weather gets extremely hot or cold.
Hot weather can cause your dog to become dehydrated. Cold weather, on the other hand, can cause Great Pyrenees to get hyperthermia and frostbite.
These are not things that you want to happen to your pet. So, pay attention to them when you let them live outside.
Make sure they have the right accommodations and check the weather ahead of time if you choose to leave them outdoors.
