Mastin del Pirineo: Conoce el Perro de Familia Originario de las Montañas

The Mastin del Pirineo, a true gem of a breed! This majestic dog has its roots in the mountains of the Pyrenees, where it was bred to be a loyal companion and guardian.

Its origins date back to the 16th century, when it was used to protect sheep and other livestock from predators.

This breed is known for its intelligence, courage, and loyalty, making it an excellent family pet.

With a strong instinct to defend its family, the Mastin del Pirineo is a natural guard dog.

The mastin del pirineo originated in the historic Kingdom of Aragon, where it has been documented since the Middle Ages.

Their primary function was to guard and protect sheep and their owners from predators, such as wolves, bears, and thieves. The dogs were often fitted with a spiked metal wolf collar or carlanca for extra protection.

The breed's numbers began to decline in the latter 1940s, when the wolf disappeared from the Pyrenees, and it wasn't until 1954 that the breed was fully accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Rafael Malo Alcrudo played a crucial role in the breed's recovery in the 1970s, and in 1977, he founded the Club del Mastín del Pirineo de España, along with Daniel Lloréns Guerrero and Jaime Graus Morales, to promote the breed's recovery and recognition.

The breed has since gained international recognition, with clubs existing in numerous countries, including Europe and the United States.

The mastin del pirineo is a very large dog, with a minimum height at the withers of 72 centimeters for females and 77 centimeters for males, and no upper limit. They have a heavy white coat with a mask of a darker color and often with patches of the same color on the body.

Their weight varies between 60 and 90 kilograms, with males being larger than females. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a compact and muscular dog with strong and robust limbs. They have a distinctive appearance, with a large, solid head and a prominent, voluminous nose.

Their eyes are almond-shaped and expressive, with a warm, avellanado color. The ears are triangular and hanging, and the fur is long, dense, and thick, reaching up to 8 centimeters in length.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a very large dog, with a minimum height at the withers of 72 centimeters for bitches and 77 centimeters for dogs, and no upper limit. Their weight can vary between 60 and 90 kilograms.

Their coat is heavy and white, with a mask of a darker color and often patches of the same color on the body. The ears always have darker spots.

This breed is known for its noble and loyal nature, making them especially faithful, brave, and protective. They can be calm and relaxed, but also have a strong instinct to guard and protect.

Their large size means they can be a bit clumsy at times, so we need to be careful not to let them get overexcited. Despite this, they are very confident and will follow their owners.

Their coat is not only white, but also has a distinctive mask of a darker color, and often patches of the same color on the body. The ears always have darker spots, which adds to their striking appearance.

Their body is compact and muscular, with strong and robust limbs that might lead you to think they're slow-moving, but they're actually quite agile and coordinated. Many Pyrenean Mastiffs have espolones, or spurs, on their hind legs.

Their head is large, long, and solid, with a straight and triangular snout that ends in a prominent and voluminous nose. Their eyes are almond-shaped, not too large, but very expressive, and usually a brownish color.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a noble and loyal breed, known for its gentle and calm nature. It's a large dog, with a minimum height of 72 centimeters for females and 77 centimeters for males.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Pyrenean Mastiff is its heavy white coat with a mask of a darker color, often accompanied by patches of the same color on the body. Its ears always have darker spots.

This breed is extremely powerful and musculous, but also surprisingly agile and flexible. It requires daily exercise to maintain its physical tone and satisfy its needs. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a natural-born guardian, but it can be a loving and affectionate companion with proper socialization.

As a natural guardian, the Pyrenean Mastiff has a strong instinct to protect its family and territory. However, it's not naturally aggressive and will only defend when necessary. It's a loyal and faithful companion that will follow its family members closely.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a highly intelligent breed that can be trained with patience, love, and consistency. It's not suitable for every environment, especially urban areas, due to its size and original purpose as a guardian and shepherd. This breed requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of its long coat.

The mastín del Pirineo requires a lot of attention when it comes to grooming, so be prepared to brush their coat daily to prevent matting and tangling.

To keep their coat clean and healthy, it's also recommended to bathe them monthly using dog-specific shampoo.

A balanced and complete diet is essential for the mastín del Pirineo, as they tend to be gluttonous and can easily develop obesity if not monitored.

Their exercise needs are quite high, requiring daily physical activity to maintain their physical tone and satisfy their character needs.

The mastín del Pirineo is a very intelligent and receptive breed, making them easy to train with positive reinforcement techniques.

However, their strong will and stubbornness require patient and gentle handling, especially during the early stages of training.

Socialization is crucial for the mastín del Pirineo, especially during their puppyhood, to ensure they become confident and calm in the presence of people and other animals.

As they grow older, they will need ongoing mental stimulation to prevent boredom and cognitive decline.

A daily routine that includes regular exercise, playtime, and training sessions will help keep your mastín del Pirineo happy and engaged.

It's also essential to provide them with a spacious living environment, ideally with access to natural areas for exercise and exploration.

Their ancestors were originally bred to be independent and self-reliant, but with proper training and socialization, they can thrive in a domestic setting.

A reputable breeder will provide you with guidance on the needs and requirements of the mastín del Pirineo, including their exercise, training, and grooming needs.

The Salud Pirineo of the mastín del Pirineo is a serious concern, as this breed is susceptible to various health issues. The most frequent problem is the displasia de cadera, a condition that causes the fémur to be misplaced in the pelvis, leading to pain and difficulty walking.

This breed is also prone to displasia de codo, which can cause similar symptoms. Additionally, the mastín del Pirineo may suffer from Síndrome de Wobbler, Trastornos de coagulación, Sordera, Ectropión, Entropión, Osteocondrodisplasia, Disfunción plaquetaria, Displasia valvular tricuspide, and Hipoplasia del nervio óptico.

Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to detect these issues early on. It's recommended to visit the veterinarian every 6 or 12 months for a general review, and to follow the recommended vaccination and desparasitization schedule.

Here's a list of some of the health issues that can affect the mastín del Pirineo:

The life expectancy of the mastín del Pirineo is relatively short, ranging from 8 to 12 years.

The mastín del Pirineo is quite the majestic creature, standing tall with a height that can surpass 81 cm, easily reaching its handler's cadera.

Its size is quite impressive, with males measuring no less than 77 cm and females having a minimum height of 72 cm.

The standard FCI describes the mastín del Pirineo as a "perro de gran alzada, hipermétrico", or a dog of great height and hypermetry.

Its body is strong and muscular, with extremely harmonious proportions, giving it a sturdy yet agile appearance.

Despite its size, it never appears heavy or corpulent, instead exuding a sense of effortless power and endurance.

This is due to its origins as a working dog, bred to accompany herds through the rugged terrain of the Pyrenees mountains.

Today, it still possesses a remarkable level of resistance and stamina, making it well-suited for its original purpose.