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Great Pyrenees * |
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Barreges:
Photo taken in Pyrenees Mountains by Pierre and Ariane
Sittenger, courtesy of Dan and Paula Lane |
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Titled the Royal Dog of
France by Louis XIV in the 17th century, the Pyrenean
Mountain Dog or Great Pyrenees of France, has been
employed for thousands of years as a flock guardian.
Closely related to the Hungarian Kuvasz and the Maremma
Sheepdog of Italy, the Pyrenees is probably the
best-known of the livestock guardian breeds. |
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Snowball @
Photo courtesy of Chad Broyles |
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By the 19th century, the
breed's popularity and usefulness was on the decline due
to the eradication of most of the Pyrenean predators.
Saved by it's stunning beauty, the breed avoided near
extinction and began a long-lived career as the darling
of the show ring. |
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This
great white dog has double-dewclaws
on its hind legs. Also, due to the
Pyrenees ability to travel
mountainous paths impassable to
humans, it was used as a smuggling
dog. Easily avoiding customs
checkpoints, these dogs carried
saddle bags of forbidden goods from
one side of the Pyrenees Mountains
to the other.
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