Great Pyrenees?

[UnlabeledMama]

So, my friends rental house is being foreclosed on and they have to be out in 45 days. She has a 4 month old Great Pyreneese puppy that she is trying to find a home for. We are thinking about taking him, but I'm not sure. We have a 7 yo, 4 yo and 6 month old baby and this would be my first dog (my husband had dogs his whole life until he moved out of the house). Any thoughts?

 

[farmchick897]

GP are excellent with kids.
They bark all night because that's what they do to keep predators away and they like to wander. So you need good fences.

 

[lmccall728]

If you aren't going to take him I would give him a wonderful home on our 8 acres. We lost ours on April 1st of this year and are heartbroken.

 

[hollymh]

I got my Pyr at 3mos he is now 7mos and the most wonderful dog I have ever owned, they are fabulous with my kids

 

[animallover505]

my friend has 2 great Pyrenees they are soo sweet but huge.

 

[UnlabeledMama]

My husband is debating. I am very interested, but I worry since we live in town in a smaller house on 2/3 of an acre. And our yard is not fenced in ....

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I wouldn't get one as a pet.

They need lots of room, and tend to shed a LOT

They should be OUTDOOR working LIVESTOCK dogs

"but I worry since we live in town in a smaller house on 2/3 of an acre. And our yard is not fenced in ."

PLEASE DO NOT GET THAT DOG.
It will be a disaster for everyone

 

[UnlabeledMama]

I wouldn't get one as a pet. They need lots of room, and tend to shed a LOT They should be OUTDOOR working LIVESTOCK dogs "but I worry since we live in town in a smaller house on 2/3 of an acre. And our yard is not fenced in ." PLEASE DO NOT GET THAT DOG. It will be a disaster for everyone

That is exactly why I hesitate. If we had more room I would jump at it because I have heard wonderful things about the Great Pyrenees and he would be there to guard our chickens and rabbit. I think we are ready for a dog and this one is trying to fall in our laps. And I think my friend is trying to get us to take him because she knows we would give him a lot of attention (I stay at home and homeschool, so we are always here). And her yard is actually smaller then ours and also unfenced so I don't think she considers that an issue.

 

[res]

....And her yard is actually smaller then ours and also unfenced so I don't think she considers that an issue.

The thing is, this GP is only 4 MONTHS old - he hasn't yet matured and grown into his "guarding" potential. He probably isn't pushing the limits of her yard at his current age, though I do hope she isn't leaving him outside unattended. That is an absolute recipe for disaster for any puppy, and even many adult dogs. His age is somewhat in your favor, though, because he hasn't yet matured enough to be 100% dedicated to a flock/herd. He is still "moldable" into what you want him to be.

Does you friend have any history on him? Is he from working parents or from a house-dog? If he's from working lines, I would not attempt to keep him as a house dog in town. If he's from "pet" lines, you might have a good shot at him being a house dog, but you'll need to know what you are doing. I've met lots of "pet" LGD's at the clinic, none of which came from working backgrounds. But you also have to realize if you keep him as a pet, you may never be able to transition him to being a livestock protector that is out with a herd 24/7.

Pyr's are great dogs, and they are great with kids. I have fostered a momma Pyr and 10 pups before, and she was amazing with all my kids and animals. I currently have an Anatolian LGD, and she is an amazing guardian. But I am certain she would not be happy on any less property than I have right now, and any neighbors I had if I lived in town would not be happy, either.

 

[UnlabeledMama]

She told me that she might have to take him back to the breeder who has the parents and she didn't want to because they are purely outside work dogs and get minimal affection and her puppy is already used to being inside and getting lots of love. So it sounds like working lines to me.