The Pyrenean Mastiff: A Guardian That’s Willing to Try Anything

The Pyrenean Mastiff: A Guardian That’s Willing to Try Anything

What could someone say about the Pyrenean Mastiff? Well, I have so many things I could say about this incredible breed that I stumbled upon almost 10 years ago! While 10 years may not seem like a long time for some of the well-established breeds, in a rare, vulnerable breed it can feel like a lifetime as the breed passes through phases of ups and downs. I applaud the breeders before me for their efforts since the 1960s and ‘70s. Without them, I would not have had the opportunity to enjoy this breed as much as I do.

The Pyrenean Mastiff started as a landrace of dogs, developed from the descendants of molosser dogs brought from Sumeria and Assyria to Spain by the Phoenicians three to four millennia ago. These guardians were bred and raised alongside herds of sheep with their shepherd in the famed Aragonese Pyrenees Mountains of Aragon, Spain. There is evidence that the modern Pyrenean Mastiff’s ancestors were part of the migration patterns of the sheep in the Aragonese Pyrenees Mountains; guiding them safely along their migratory path, keeping danger from bears and wolves at bay.

The Pyrenean Mastiff encountered a decline in population in the 1930s and ‘40s with the disappearance of the wolf and bear in the region, and the Spanish Civil War followed by World War II. The “Mastiffs of Aragon” almost disappeared due to the scarcity of food, costs of raising such large dogs, and the reduced need to protect sheep from bears and wolves. There was a shift in how the Pyrenean Mastiff was used during this time and they became property/estate guardians, family guardians, and companions. This change was what brought such an easygoing, loveable demeanor to these dogs which could also be fierce guardians when the need arose. When packs of wolves were reintroduced to the Aragon region in the 1970s, a need for the cherished guardian of Aragon returned.

During this time, Rafael Malo Alcrudo and several other dedicated breed enthusiasts worked to recover the Pyrenean Mastiff. They scoured the region, listening to stories of those who worked with this majestic and regal guardian, found dogs that matched the description, and built the breed up again. One hundred dogs were found, and from there, thirty of the most ideal dogs were identified and became the foundation of the modern Pyrenean Mastiff.

The Pyrenean Mastiff made its debut in the United States in 1996 by the late Karin Haywood and began to gain traction and interest in the late 2010s. Today, the Pyrenean Mastiff has a devoted community in the United States that works hard to preserve and protect the breed. There is also a worldwide network of breeders and enthusiasts dedicated to these incredible dogs. In recent years, the breed has been labeled vulnerable again in its country of origin due to birth rates dropping, so breeders are working diligently worldwide to improve numbers while aiming to breed healthy, quality dogs.

Now, what sets the Pyrenean Mastiff apart from the oft-confused Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard? The Pyrenean Mastiff is a cousin to the French-originating Great Pyrenees. Both breeds likely have roots in the same molossers brought from Sumeria and Assyria.

The Spanish wanted to stay rustic and true to the dogs of old that were documented in the texts of excursionists who traveled the region and the shepherds who passed down stories from one generation to the next. The Spanish wanted the Pyrenean Mastiff to remain robust, well-boned, and substantial in size, with a functional build and coat to weather the elements and various terrain.

Some of the features which make the Pyrenean Mastiff distinct from the Great Pyrenees are features similar to the Saint Bernard. This is because the Pyrenean Mastiff is related to mountain breeds like the Saint Bernard, whereas the Great Pyrenees is related to Italian flock guardians. This does not mean the Saint Bernard was used to “create’’ the Pyrenean Mastiff, but simply that they have common ancestors. We feel that this is where the Pyrenean Mastiff has inherited its ability to be more versatile than some other livestock guardian breeds. Some of the most distinct differences between the Saint Bernard and the Pyrenean Mastiff are the skull shape and coat color.

While the Saint Bernard is generally a classic red/brown/sable color with mask and saddle markings, the Pyrenean Mastiff comes in a wide range of patch colors and markings, from primarily white, with only the head markings, to markings predominantly covering the torso. The Pyrenean Mastiff has a mesocephalic skull, with head planes that are slightly diverging and a gentle, sloping stop, while the Saint Bernard has a brachycephalic skull with converging head planes and a steep stop.

The Pyrenean Mastiff has shown an amazing capacity for transitioning roles between various skills and tasks, depending on the needs of their family. Not only can they fiercely protect and discern friend vs. foe, they can also interact in public with wonderful manners and a happy-go-lucky, friendly nature. Throughout the United States and worldwide, the Pyrenean Mastiff continues to do their original job of protecting livestock on homesteads and heritage farms as livestock guardians, as well as protecting their families and estates. To this day, the breed continues to have a natural ability and instinct to do the job of its ancestors and works well with animals ranging from poultry to large livestock. Their “herd” could be as small as family pets and family members in the suburbs, or as large as a horse or cattle ranch spanning hundreds of acres. The only thing they ask for in return is interaction from their people. They are not the type of dog you put out in a pasture and have limited interaction with. They enjoy affection and attention from their humans. This is why the ideal livestock guardian home for many breeders are homestead and heritage farms, where owners are in close daily contact with the animals and the dogs. Generally, males tend to be the muscle and are typically analytical from a distance while evaluating situations that could be a threat, whereas the females are more often go-getters and are active investigators of potential threats.

We have discovered they are also capable of so much more than many other livestock guardian breeds are given credit for. The breed is incredibly intelligent, though like most independent, thinking breeds, a payout is required to make active training worthwhile to them. The strong bond of dog and owner builds a mutual respect in the Pyrenean Mastiff to the point that praise is a sufficient reward as they age, provided training was started while young. Their calm, intuitive nature has served them well as Therapy Dogs working with children, the elderly, and any other person who would love to cuddle a fluffy bear of a dog (if you can get past the drool many of them have, that is). Their silly, fun-loving antics and sweet, discerning nature make them an instant favorite with anyone who encounters them.

Others have found they are able to train their Pyrenean Mastiffs to more advanced levels that make them essential partners working as Service Dogs. They have been able to be trained to assist with a variety of medical conditions, with tasks ranging from Medical Response to Mobility Dogs. Their independent thought process doesn’t make training easy, so it does take the right type of owner to train them to this level. However, that same independent thought process can be beneficial to disabled owners who are known to be hard-headed and not listen to their bodies, because the Pyrenean Mastiff can be persistent when they know how to respond in a medical situation. They are definitely not part of the “fab four” breeds [Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle, Collie —Ed.] but are showing great potential in the right owner’s hands, which is someone who is willing to think outside of the box on training methods and can accept that they occasionally can behave as the “class clown.”

While the Pyrenean Mastiff may not be the most ideal breed to reach high level competitive Rally, Obedience, or Dock Diving titles, they are willing to try out these things for fun and bonding with their owner. Several Pyrenean Mastiffs have titled in Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, Trick Dog, CGCs, etc. Sometimes they bring laughs with their antics to an event like Dock Diving, where their motivation isn’t so much jumping the farthest, but rather, a nice lap around the pool; or in the show ring when they are over the idea of looking pretty and will flop down to get comfortable in the judge’s lineup. Many owners who participate in these events do it to enjoy time with their dog and showcase the breed’s ability to be willing to try anything if it means having a good time with their owner.

The Pyrenean Mastiff breed community is small but mighty. Owners, breeders, and enthusiasts alike have a strong passion and love for the breed, and are always happy to share and teach others about these magnificent, regal dogs that are capable of so many things when given the opportunity. Those who meet these dogs fall in love, and those who love them already have a strong passion and dedication to them. Our community is open and always happy to teach and share.