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Unquestionable it is a dog of very ancient origin. For centuries it has been confined to the Pyrenean mountains, where it was kept by the Spanish Shepherds to protect their flocks from the ravages of bear and wolf. ... The Pyrenees was accustomed to mount sentry ... and was ever alert to warn his master, or himself to hasten to the attack, and the wolf or bear would have to deal with an exceedingly formidable foe, whose quickness of decision and adroitness in combat might be compared to trained (skills). ... So trusty was this canine guardian of the fold, that the shepherd could with confidence leave him at intervals for two or three days at a time, knowing that during his absents the dog would guard the sheep, unaided, never deserting his post of duty. His watchfulness was incessant. At nightfall he was accustomed to take up a position commanding his woolly charge, and there remain sleepless and vigilant until dawn. ... These were his duties.

Their (Pyrenees) disposition and intelligence endear them and recommend them to all who know them. For the Pyrenees are very discriminating, snobbish and aristocratic in their taste. They can readily distinguish between friend and foe. They protect whatever belongs to their home, but not in such a way as to plunge their master into lawsuits over bites and attacks! The Great Pyrenees gets on admirably with other breeds and is not a fighter. ... Neither are they roamers as a rule. They merely ... widen the circle a bit. I will never forget taking a young puppy bitch on a camping trip, waking up at night to find her ever on the alert and in the morning following a well warn path made in the dew laden grass to discover that it encircled the camp at a distance of about 500 feet and apparently had been covered regularly all night long! Such is their natural instinct for protection.

Perhaps no other breed is so ideally fitted for the role of a child's companion and protector as is the Great Pyrenees. In the company of children he always seems sublimely happy whether enjoying a romp, a tussle, ... pulling some kind of conveyance, or merely doing nothing. Ever conscience of his own strength he seems more gentle then the smallest lap dog, yet, should danger appear in the form of a molesting stranger, thief or trespasser his deep warning bark is usually enough to handle the situation. If not, his size, strength , and fury most certainly will.

Most important of all is the provision of a wired-in yard for your puppy. Wherever you live, it is unkind and unfair to the dog to-day to give him his freedom to run about the neighborhood and to risk encountering automobiles ... Any puppy is better off and happier, too, if kept in the house, and taken out with the family for his walks and pleasure. ... At all time, when out-of-doors and not accompanied by his owner, put him loose to roam about at will in an enclosed yard. ... It should be constructed thus:-- Lay one narrow width of chicken mesh wire flat on the ground. Bury this piece of wire about two inches in the ground. Fasten the edge of it to the upright wire that you will stretch between post to a recommended height of six feet. Make sure that the wires are well woven together so that the dog cannot push his way out between them. The purpose of the wire on the ground is to keep the dog from digging out.

In the summer time give your puppy a cool shady place to lie and be sure that his supply of fresh water is always available. ... And above all, don't clip him. In all probability he will shed out his woolly undercoat when the warm weather comes, and a bath at this time, followed by a good grooming, will take most of it out at once and reduce the shedding nuisance in the home. What he has left will serve as insulation to protect him in nature's way from the strong burning rays of the sun. If you try to help him by clipping him you will only be exposing sensitive skin which is unused to exposure, and you will, in all probability, cause a very severe and serious case of sun-burn which will be most painful and can cause illness and even death, ...

They try so hard to please that they will never do anything, that they can help, to displease their master. They are naturally extremely intelligent, understanding, and sympathetic in their actions and sensitive to a marked degree. A Pyrenees should always be handled with kindness, not force. They should never be allowed to get away with something which may be wrong or develop into an undesirable or dangerous habit later on, for they are often very willful and a dog's memory seldom forgets. In this respect, obedience school training is to be highly recommend for both the dog and owner. It makes for a better working basis of understanding between the two and ... every house pet should know and obey the commands to sit, to lie down, and to come when called.