PYRENEES MASTIFF

This Spanish breed is different from the French Pyrenees mountain dog and from any other Spanish mastiff. This dog, also called the lioness mastiff and Navarre’s mastiff, was bred in the Pyrenean areas of Navarra and Aragon for centuries, the same centuries that it has walked by the shepherds and being essential when defending the herds, facing wolves with notable courage.

The Pyrenean mastiff must not be confused with the Pyrenean mountain dog, which is a French breed.

The tail, with a long and silky fur crest, is flexible, thick at the implantation and thinner towards the end.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the PYRENEES MASTIFF
It is a compact animal, tall and powerful looking. It has a large head, long muzzle and black nose, droopy ears with tipped edges and small dark eyes with an intelligent gaze. The male is 77 cm, high, 5 cm shorter in the females, and a minimum weight of 55 kg. The fur is hard and medium, uniform in color with a usually white base, spots and light brown mask.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the PYRENEES MASTIFF
It doesn’t know fear and can be very aggressive with strangers, especially if it feels its masters are being threatened, who he protects and loves with an extreme fidelity. It is tame, noble and affectionate, occasionally a little stubborn, for which its training should begin when it’s still a puppy, a training it accepts meekly and obediently and prepares it for good adaptation to any environment, except to life in an apartment.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a PYRENEES MASTIFF
We should pay special attention to possible ear infections, common in dogs with droopy ears. It is necessary that the dog is provided with the vitamins it needs to strengthen the leg muscles. It requires a careful diet and to exercise to avoid obesity. The brushing should be daily, more prolonged during shedding season.