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Breed profile

Pyrenean Shepherd

A small, wiry French mountain herder with a big engine. Quick, sensitive and attached to one person, wary of strangers.

A shaggy grey long-haired Pyrenean Shepherd stands in a snowy field
The rough-coated Pyrenean Shepherd, built for mountain work.Photo: Caronna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
7–14 kg15–31 lb
Height
38–52 cm15–20 in
Lifespan
15–17 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
France
Popularity
#191 US#200 UK · 2025

Known for: Running partnersWorking dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Energetic, Quick, Sensitive, Wary of strangers.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
  • Patellar luxation
  • Progressive retinal atrophy

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Vigorous exercise every day plus training, agility or herding to keep that quick mind busy. Brush weekly, about twice a week for the rough-faced coat. Plenty of early socialisation.

A good fit for

Very active owners and dog-sport people who want a small, fast, responsive partner.

Probably not ideal for

Sedentary homes, people out all day, close neighbours, households wanting a dog that greets everyone.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Pyrenean Sheepdog (Long Haired)
  2. VCA Animal Hospitals: Pyrenean Shepherd
  3. Vetstreet: Pyrenean Shepherd
  4. American Kennel Club: Pyrenean Shepherd

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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Mudi

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