The Great Pyrenees is descended from the Hungarian kuvasz and the Maremmano-Abruzzese. He conveys the distinct impression of elegance and unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty. The Great Pyrenees is considered the aristocratic relative of the St. Bernard and the Newfoundland.

The Great Pyrenees dog has a white coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or varying shades of tan. The weather resistant double coat consists of a long, flat, thick, outer coat of coarse hair, lying over a dense, fine, woolly undercoat. Markings of varying size may appear on the ears, head (including a full face mask), tail, and as a few body spots. The undercoat may be white or shaded.

Remember this is a large breed and they take up a lot of space. The height at the withers ranges from 27 inches to 32 inches for dogs and from 25 inches to 29 inches for bitches, with a 27 inch dog weighing about 100 pounds and a 25 inch bitch weighing about 85 pounds.

The Great Pyrenees dog possesses a keen intelligence and a kindly, while regal, expression. In nature, the Great Pyrenees is confident, gentle, and affectionate, his general demeanor is one of quiet composure, both patient and tolerant. He is strong willed, independent and somewhat reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal to his charges both human and animal.

The Great Pyrenees moves smoothly and elegantly, with his stride well balanced with good reach and strong drive. His soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred - the strenuous work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.

The Great Pyrenees dogs expression is elegant, intelligent and contemplative, his eyes medium sized, almond shaped and a rich dark brown. The rear feet have a structural tendency to toe out slightly, and this breed characteristic is not to be confused with cow-hocks.