The Great Pyrenees is a magnificent dog who makes a loyal, affectionate family member. It takes quite a while for one of these guys to reach his ultimate size. During his growth period, you'll be busy, making sure he's well-trained and getting the proper nutrition he needs to be a healthy, well-behaved family member.
Growing Dog
Your little ball of white fluff will get big -- real big. On the smaller side, a great Pyrenees female will stand a bit over 2 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 85 pounds. A small male may be 27 inches tall and 100 pounds. It takes two years for a great Pyrenees puppy to complete his growth. If he’s a big guy, he may get to 100 pounds his first year and add another 40 before he’s reached his full potential. The Great Pyrenees is bearlike in stature.
Feeding Your Pup
The prospect of adding such a large mouth to feed to the family may seem daunting. It’s important to feed a Great Pyrenees puppy properly, particularly while he’s developing; however, you don’t have to break the bank to do it. The breed has a lower metabolism and doesn’t require large amounts of dog food. Feed a high-quality food four times a day to a Pyrenees puppy up to 3 months old. Between 3 and 6 months, feed three times a day; at 6 to 12 months, your pup can eat puppy food twice a day. After 12 months, you can cut his meals to one per day and he can switch to adult food or continue on his puppy food until he’s 18 months old. By the time he’s 2, his hindquarters should be proportionate with his front quarters and he’ll approach his full height and weight. Like all dogs, your pal should always have access to fresh, clean water.
Training
Since your guy’s going to be a big fellow, he’ll need to understand though he’s large, he’s not in charge. Though he’s obedient and loyal, the great Pyrenees also has an independent streak. In his first 6 months, you can work with him on basic commands, such as Sit, Come, Stay, Leave It and so on. If you feel you and he would benefit from formal dog training class, the Great Pyrenees Club of America recommends waiting until after a pup has reached the 6-month mark to enroll him in a formal program.
Housebreaking
You’ll want to housebreak him early, which is fairly easy with a Great Pyrenees. Take him out the same door each time he gets a bathroom break, and be regular about the time you take him out. A good rule of thumb is a potty session first thing in the morning, and after each meal and nap, and right before bed. If your dog seems restless between these intervals, respond to his cue and give him a break. It will probably be several months before he can go through the night without a bathroom break.