Pyrenean Mastiff: Your Complete Guide

The Pyrenean mastiff is a large Spanish dog breed that you may also know as the Mastín del Pinero. These dogs were bred to protect flocks of sheep from potential threats, which is where their large size comes from.

While these dogs used to be found exclusively on farms or for herding purposes, this isn’t the case today and the Pyrenean mastiff is becoming a popular household dog.

More and more people seek out the Pyrenean mastiff each day because of their loyalty, intelligence, and calm temperament. It makes them a perfect family dog that you can play with, snuggle up to, and take with you on adventures.

While Pyrenean mastiffs are sought-after dogs, that doesn’t mean they’re a good fit for everyone. It’s important to learn more about this breed before adopting it to ensure that you and your companion can live their best life.

Read on to learn everything you need to know below.

Quick Look at the Pyrenean Mastiff

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Pyrenean Mastiffs?

Pyrenean mastiffs have been around since the Middle Ages. While their exact origins aren’t known, they come from the mountains that border Spain and France. This was known as the Kingdom of Aragon, which is where some of the first Pyrenean mastiffs came around.

From there, the breed came and went during times when sheep and other types of cattle needed protection from wolves and other types of animals. It wasn’t until 1977 that a breed club was created for this breed, which is the Club del Mastín del Pirineo.

Back in the day, Pyrenean mastiffs were used to protect cattle from predators. What’s more, they were loyal farm dogs that used to protect crops from smaller predators that wanted to get at the land.

Today, the Pyrenean Mastiff Club of America (PMCA) represents the breed in the United States and it was formed in 1996. Still, these dogs have become more popular and you can find the breed from many breeders in the United States.

What Do Pyrenean Mastiffs Look Like?

Pyrenean mastiffs have a distinct appearance that resembles a Saint Bernard and a great Pyrenees. In fact, they look like a mix of these two breeds, so it’s not uncommon for them to be massive dogs.

They’re one of the largest breeds around and sport a thick double coat that makes them look even larger. Their coats can be a wide range of colors including blue, black, brown, golden, red, or even shades of gray. Ultimately, it depends on the dog’s parents.

Pyrenean mastiffs have muscular bodies and strong-looking heads that complement their massive build. On the sides of their face, they have loose jowls that give them a droopy-like appearance below the snout.

Additionally, their ears are floppy and their faces have some wrinkles, so their face looks pretty droopy overall. However, one unique trait is that their ears will lift up at times to listen for noises or potential threats.

What Size Is a Pyrenean Mastiff?

Pyrenean mastiffs are large dogs, larger than most breeds that you’ll find. They’re comparable in size to Saint Bernards and have a similar height and weight. The average Pyrenean mastiff weighs between 130 and 200 pounds and they can reach up to 31 inches in height.

There is a large variation in weight because female Pyrenean mastiffs are smaller. They’re closer to the 130-pound range, whereas males are closer to 200 pounds.

What Is a Pyrenean Mastiff’s Coat Type and Length?

Pyrenean mastiffs have a dense coat that’s medium in length. It’s also a double coat that consists of a soft undercoat and a rough topcoat. Most people refer to their texture as bristly and it’s important to note that their hair might be longer around their neck and legs. Longer hair on their tails and underbelly is also possible depending on the dog.

Pyrenean mastiffs have wavy or wiry coats, but it may look straight from a distance.

What Is a Pyrenean Mastiff’s Temperament?

Pyrenean mastiffs have a mild temperament and like to keep things mellow when they’re sitting around the house. They rarely get aggressive and the Pyrenean Mastiff Club of America notes that these dogs are often silent and intelligent. Still, there might be some variation depending on the dog and its parents.

That said, when you bring them into your home and give them the proper training, Pyrenean mastiffs become gentle giants.

They’ll get along with other animals, snuggle with your children, and keep your family safe. In fact, these dogs have been tied over the years to watch over their owners and any other animals while they sleep to keep them safe. Therefore, if anything goes wrong you can count on a Pyrenean mastiff to alert you to danger.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Good With Kids?

Pyrenean mastiffs are great with children of all ages. While they’re big dogs, they’re not aggressive and love to snuggle up with the whole family. Plus, they won’t mind having kids lay on them or tussle with them. For these reasons, they’re okay with kids of all ages.

That said, they are big dogs and can harm your child by accident if you’re not paying attention, so keep an eye on them around children under the age of five.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Good With Other Animals?

Pyrenean mastiffs are good with other animals. They were bred to protect other animals, so it’s no surprise that they’re good with other animals of all sizes. Moreover, they don’t have a prey drive so they’re not bad with smaller dogs either. If you’re worried about Pyrenean mastiffs, it’s important to socialize your Pyrenean mastiff from a young age.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Aggressive?

Pyrenean mastiffs are not aggressive dogs. They’re calm and gentle, so you don’t have to worry about them attacking strangers or acting standoffish. In fact, they’ll openly approach strangers to learn more about them. The only time that they will get aggressive is if they feel like their family is being threatened. Otherwise, Pyrenean mastiffs are calm and mild-tempered dogs.

Do Pyrenean Mastiffs Bark?

Pyrenean mastiffs have a loud and deep bark, so when they bark you’ll know immediately. While their bark is deep and loud, they don’t bark often. The only time they’ll bark is if they need to alert you to danger or any potential problems. Otherwise, they’re a quiet dog breed that prefers to only get vocal when they have to.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Affectionate?

Pyrenean mastiffs are affectionate dogs and they love to cuddle and hang out with their owners. While they’re too large to be a lapdog, they will sit on the couch next to you or climb into bed with you if there’s any room. Additionally, Pyrenean mastiffs show love through loyalty. They’ll follow you around outdoors, inside, and walk without a leash as long as they trust you.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Intelligent?

Pyrenean mastiffs are known for being quiet and smart. They like to observe behaviors and focus on exploring their surroundings. Most Pyrenean mastiffs are smart enough to learn dozens of commands and their primary role is to protect animals from potential threats, which means they need to be smart.

Pyrenean mastiffs are also emotionally intelligent. They can tell when people and other animals are uncomfortable in that situation.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Energetic?

Pyrenean mastiffs are low-energy dogs. They don’t need a lot of exercise to keep them happy and they won’t run around your house and keep you up all night.

While Pyrenean mastiffs aren’t the most energetic dogs, that doesn’t mean they don’t need exercise. In fact, avoiding exercise can result in problems with their health like obesity and issues with their legs, knees, and shoulder joints.

Pyrenean mastiffs need about 30-60 minutes of exercise per day, like most dogs. If they don’t feel like playing or running around outdoors, take them for a few walks per day.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Easy to Train?

Pyrenean mastiffs are easy to train. They were bred to take care of other animals and people on large plots of land, so it’s not surprising that they will respond to training. You can teach them many commands and train them for specialized roles like service dog work or watchdog work.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Good Watchdogs?

Pyrenean mastiffs are one of the best breeds you can find for watchdog work. They were bred over centuries for this role, so it’s not surprising that they can watch over a farm, home, or family. Pyrenean mastiffs care also brave dogs that will run into danger to keep you and your family safe, so their bravery should never be in question.

Are Pyrenean Mastiffs Good Service Dogs?

Pyrenean mastiffs make great physical service dogs. As one of the largest and strongest breeds around, they can support people with a wide range of disabilities. They can open doors, serve as a crutch for people, and push wheelchairs out of mud.

Pyrenean mastiffs are also smart enough to apply deep pressure therapy (DPT) when necessary, get help when someone is having a seizure, and guide people through crowds. Plus, they’re easy to train for any task. Overall, this makes Pyrenean mastiffs one of the best service dog options for physical disabilities.

Pyrenean mastiffs are also okay for mental health disabilities. They’re not the best at this job but can be taught to remind someone when it’s time for medication or they can function as a guide through crowds for people who have social anxiety.

Pyrenean mastiffs may also be therapy dogs or emotional support animals. Their efficiency in these areas depends on your needs and housing situation. For example, if you live in a small apartment it’s not wise to get a Pyrenean mastiff as an ESA.

On the other hand, they’re large enough to comfort large groups of people in hospice care, funeral homes, and schools.

How to Care for a Pyrenean Mastiff?

Pyrenean mastiffs have a lot of grooming and health needs that you need to be aware of. While you don’t have to do a lot of maintenance on them, what gets you is how many things you have to do.

Unlike other dogs, for example, you need to clean their ears and trim their dewclaws. This can be labor intensive when you pair it with brushing their coat three days per week in an attempt to keep up with their shedding.

Aside from grooming, it’s important to feed Pyrenean mastiffs a balanced diet and help them exercise. If you’re not seeing enough movement it doesn’t hurt to take them on a walk. The last thing to note is that you need to keep an eye on health problems with regular vet appointments.

Do You Need to Groom a Pyrenean Mastiff?

Pyrenean mastiffs need to be groomed often. Brush that coat at least three times per week and give them a nice warm bath at least once a month. Brushing their coats and bathing them reduces the amount of shedding and matting that develops in their coats.

You also need to keep an eye on their claws and trim them if they’re not grinding down naturally. We recommend taking them to a professional when you need to trim their dewclaws. As for their teeth, brush them about twice per week and check their ears and jowls for infections or irritation.

Do Pyrenean Mastiffs Shed?

Pyrenean mastiffs shed a lot. They shed throughout the year but they also have a double coat that begins to shed frequently during the spring and fall months. If you don’t brush their coat or give them a trim, you’ll have hair all over the place in your home.

What Health Problems Do Pyrenean Mastiffs Have?

Pyrenean mastiffs are healthy dogs but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. As they age, there are a few health risks you have to keep an eye on. These include:

• Hip Dysplasia: A condition that results in the hip joint not forming properly, which causes pain and discomfort
• Panosteitis: Inflammation of the long bones in the leg of the dog, which is common in big breeds like Pyrenean mastiff
• Eye Conditions: Cataracts and other eye degeneration diseases

In addition, you’ll also want to watch out for bloating and problems with the jaw. To avoid these health problems, it’s important to consult with a vet as they get older. Take your Pyrenean mastiff for yearly checkups to stay ahead of these problems.

How Long Do Pyrenean Mastiffs Live?

Pyrenean mastiffs live for a long time compared to some other large dog breeds. On average, expect them to live for 10 to 12 years. To keep them around for a long time, take them to the vet often and feed them a healthy diet.

While they’re not the most energetic dog, make sure they get plenty of exercise to keep them healthy as well. Failing to do so can result in obesity and other health conditions that reduce their lifespan.

What Should a Pyrenean Mastiff Eat?

Pyrenean mastiffs should eat a diet that’s high in protein and clean ingredients. Food needs to be specifically formulated for large dogs and it doesn’t hurt to include some whole foods like chicken, beef, and other types of meat. Still, keep their diet at around 30% protein when possible.

When it comes to the amount of food, they’re big dogs so they need a lot. Feed them about 6-10 cups of dry food per day. You can feed them in two separate meals if you want to split their food intake up. As for young puppies, split their meals into several meals throughout the day to avoid rapid weight gain and gorging.

Pyrenean mastiffs need vitamins too, so include supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin if the food you feed them doesn’t contain them.

Is a Pyrenean Mastiff the Right Dog for Me?

The Pyrenean mastiff is a great fit for many types of people but you need to consider your living situation and the amount of space you have. These dogs are not suitable for small apartments because of their size and they do the best in environments that give them plenty of space to graze and interact with their environment.

That said, as long as you have the space you shouldn’t have to worry about a Pyrenean mastiff. They’re great for children of all ages and won’t bother any other household pets. However, if you hate shedding and drooling you’ll want to opt for a different dog breed. Plus, their grooming can be a lot to keep up with if you fall behind or don’t have the time.

After you consider these factors, make sure you adopt a Pyrenean mastiff from a reputable breeder to avoid potential health and behavior problems.