These dogs take their name from the mountain range in southwestern Europe where they long have been used as guardians of the flocks. In the United States they are called Great Pyrenees. In the United Kingdom and on the continent of Europe, they are known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. In their native France, they are Le Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees or Le Chien des Pyrenees. Whatever the name, it is a beautiful primarily white dog with a "certain elegance" which for centuries has been the working associate of peasant shepherds high on the mountain slopes.

By nature, the Great Pyrenees is nocturnal. It works well in combination with its shepherd owners and companion herding and guarding dogs with the livestock accompanying this group. It can be trusted with small, young, and helpless animals of any kind, but it has to be watched as a young pup with some supervision and occasional correction required as it usually takes a pup 18 months to become an effective livestock guardian dog. It is one of the most interesting qualities of a Great Pyrenees-the absolute intolerance of all predators (including strange dogs, animals, and people), coupled with extraordinary patience and kindness to stock. The breed works in many settings and under many circumstances. This is a dog that can live on a farm, usually in the proximity of the farmyard and ranch house. He is part pet and part guard dog. He takes care of the farm or ranch, the family, and the stock that is usually pastured close to the house. We also find Pyrenees working on large ranches pastured far from the living quarter. The breed performs admirably in any of these situations.

A livestock guardian dog will be more reliable and effective if it is spayed or neutered. This can be done safely as early as seven or eight weeks of age. Most pups go to new homes between seven and twelve weeks and have spent most of that time with their dam and litter mates. A slight advantage is possible from pups being raised with livestock as the breeders can observe their interaction toward the livestock. Many superb and effective working Pyrenees have never seen any type of livestock before their arrival at the ranch. Older Pyrenees with no prior livestock experience have been known to make excellent guardians with training and supervision from their new owner.