The Great Pyrenees is a majestic breed with a unique coat pattern that's often mistaken for badger markings. Their distinctive coat is made up of a double layer of fur, with a thick undercoat and a coarser outer coat.
The Great Pyrenees' coat can change color as they mature, with some dogs developing a more pronounced black mask or markings on their face. This color change can occur between 6-18 months of age.
Their badger markings, also known as "badger stripes", are actually a result of the way their fur grows in. The unique pattern is created by the interaction of the undercoat and the outer coat, resulting in a distinctive M-shaped marking on their forehead.
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Great Pyrenees Color Change
As your Great Pyrenees grow older, their coat color may change, with black and white coats potentially becoming darker with age and developing more black patches.
Conversely, badger marks typically vanish when puppies are 7 months old.
Badger marks can lighten and darken, and it's not uncommon for them to seemingly disappear only to reappear later, as Mauja's owner experienced.
The most interesting thing about badger marks is that they change throughout the dog's life, with dark badger marks on a puppy gradually lightening over time.
Tan marks typically fade to white, which is why you might see a Great Pyrenees with a significant amount of coloration as a puppy that's mostly white as an adult.
It's worth noting that badger marks can cover no more than 1/3 of the dog's body, according to the breed standard.
Great Pyrenees Marks
Badger marks are a rare and beautiful feature of the Great Pyrenees breed, typically found on their backs and faces.
They often lighten or turn white as the dog ages, making this coat even more rare.
The Great Pyrenees' coat renews as it sheds, which is likely what happens when and if the patterns reappear.
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As your Great Pyrenees grow older, their coat color may change, with black and white coats occasionally becoming darker with age.
Dark badger markings on adult Pyrenees are uncommon.
Badger marks come in several variations of badger, gray, or shades of tan, and may cover no more than 1/3 of the dog's body.
They are most commonly seen on the head and base of the tail.
Dark badger marks on a puppy will gradually lighten over time.
Tan marks typically fade to white.
Badger marks can lighten and darken, and some people have reported that they can reappear after fading.
It's been hypothesized that the dark marks helped to disguise them among the rocks when they were born in the mountains long ago.
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