Pyrador

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Pyrador is a mix of the Labrador Retriever and the Great Pyrenees breeds. The result is a large, graceful dog with a double-coat that can be solid white, yellow, black or brown.

The Great Pyrenees is a livestock guard dog, bred for its sturdiness, attentiveness and fierce protective instinct over its ward, whether human or animal. The breed originated in the mountainous Pyrenees region between France and Spain, and is known to be nocturnal, an ideal guard dog. It is one of the older extant dog breeds.

The Labrador Retriever is descended from mastiffs and water dogs, first used by fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrador as service dogs and hunters around bodies of water. Its intelligence, friendliness and tractability has led to its popularity among dog owners.

Color

A Great Pyrenees parent will contribute a predominantly white coat, with markings of tan, gray, or red. A Labrador, on the other hand, could turn out different solid colors (usually black, brown or yellow), with occasional white marking on the chest.

Coat

A double coat offers protection from dirt and cold. The top coat is usually coarse and longer in length than the undercoat, which is softer and denser, often woolly in texture. A ruff or mane could be present around the neck area, and there may be feathering along the legs.

Personality

A Pyrador will show great family sense, in that it enjoys constantly being in the company of its family, while being protective of them and what it considers its territory. Smaller animals will usually appeal to its guarding instinct, and so will not be a problem. The Pyrador has a deep bark for raising the alarm whenever strangers approach. Bred of independent-minded parents that are often given their head in tasks, the Pyrador might not easily take to obedience training. This should therefore be started as soon as possible, when the dog is young and tractable. Firm but positive reinforcement will work best. Raised around a family, the Pyrador can be a good, loyal companion and patient with older children. Small children need to be watched, as this is a large dog that can unintentionally knock them down.

Care

Care for a double coat should include daily brushing with a curry groomer or a hound glove to get rid of shed hairs and thin out the natural oil. Dry shampoo is best, so as not to strip the natural protective oils of the coat.

Training

Crate training will work to delimit chewing and potty-train the Pyrador. Obedience training from puppyhood is recommended, as a large, misbehaving dog will be a handful later on. Experienced handlers will emphasize respect for people as well, so Pyradors learn not to jump up on people or strain at the leash.

Activity

Daily outdoor activity is best for dogs of the Pyrador's size. Leashed walks of up to an hour, scheduled away from mealtimes, will satisfy the dog's need for wide, open spaces, as well as tire him out for the night.