Are Great Pyrenees hypoallergenic dogs? The gorgeous Great Pyrenees is a medium-energy dog that’s immensely affectionate, but they aren’t hypoallergenic. This breed is a moderate shedder all year round, plus they’re average droolers. Hence, they wouldn’t be suitable for people with dog allergies.
Great Pyrenees Quick Facts
No matter what breed you’re thinking about, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog.
There may be pooches less prone to triggering allergy symptoms. This is due to the type of coat they have or the fact that they’re low shedding, or low drooling. But even these will not be completely hypoallergenic.
To find out more, check out our article What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
The Great Pyrenees has a beautiful double coat that despite all that fluff, doesn’t need a lot of grooming to keep it looking good. This is because their fur is both dirt and tangle-resistant.
Their double coat is made up of:
- Soft, almost fluffy, dense undercoat that helps to keep them warm.
- Longer outer coat of medium-length fur, that’s thick and coarse.
Given their origins, it’s not surprising the Great Pyrenees is an exclusively white breed.
Every dog sheds, some shed a little, and others shed a lot! But it’s all a natural part of a dog’s fur cycle. In short, there is no way you can stop it from happening completely. However, there are ways to curb the amount of dog fur in your home.
1. Brush Regularly
One of the most effective ways to keep everyday shedding under control is to brush your giant furball regularly.
For the best results, your Great Pyrenees will need to be brushed at least once a week, either with a slicker or pin brush. This will help remove any loose fur and prevent it from spreading all over your home and clothes.
As your Pyr has a beautiful yet dense double coat, their fur is going to shed all year round. So you’re better off doing this outdoors. It will reduce the amount of flying fur in your home.
Regular brushing with a pin or slicker brush will suffice most of the year, except when it comes to blowouts. During these times, you will need to add deshedding tools to your grooming regime — more on that next.
2. Retain Your Sanity With Deshedding Tools
Deshedding tools are brushes and combs specifically designed to remove fur from your Pyr’s undercoat. These kinds of tools will keep you sane during the heavy shedding seasons. Believe me, your Great Pyrenees is going to lose fur like you have never seen before!
A deshedding brush will help to speed up the natural shedding cycle of your Great Pyrenees, but it won’t stop them from shedding completely.
You should use it in conjunction with a regular brush, as the deshedding tools are designed to remove the undercoat and not the top coat.
3. Occasional Baths
The Great Pyrenees isn’t a canine requiring a regular bath, but an occasional dip — whether that be seasonally or just for special occasions — will help to get rid of any loose fur.
Timing tub time for the heaviest shedding period could be a smart decision. But beware, if you choose to bathe your Pyr during this season you run the risk of blocking up your tub!
4. A Healthy Diet Is Key
This is a very large dog that requires a diet high in protein to keep it in tip-top condition. Along with that, your dog is also going to need plenty of fats, vitamins, and minerals. All of these will help to minimize shedding.
Among those essential fats are omega 3 and 6, which are crucial for keeping your dog’s skin hydrated and in good condition. This, in turn, will lower shedding levels, as dogs with dry irritated skin tend to shed more.
5. Keep Your Pyrenees Hydrated
If your dog is dehydrated, their skin will become dry and itchy. This can lead to excessive scratching and increased shedding. Ensure that your Great Pyrenees has access to clean drinking water when they want it.
6. Get a Good Vacuum
While this tip isn’t directly related to your Great Pyrenees, it can help reduce allergens in your environment.
Investing in a good vacuum will help you keep that fur under control. Choose a model that comes with plenty of attachments. Plus, many brands now have animal-specific appliances. Check out our guide on the Best Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair.
Hypoallergenic Great Pyrenee Alternatives
The Great Pyrenees dog is an amazing mellow dog that will be a true guardian of your home. However, if you have allergies, they aren’t going to be the best fit for you.
The following breeds share similar characteristics to the calm, affectionate Great Pyrenees and won’t trigger your allergy symptoms.
While the Airedale Terrier is nowhere near as large as the Great Pyrenees or looks like them, they do share other qualities.
A patient dog with children, the Airedale is also a great protector of their home, in the same way as the Great Pyrenees. They make amazing companions but can also excel at canine sports and agility, as does the Pyr.
These dogs also require very little grooming and are a great option for those with allergies, as their short, wiry coat sheds very little.
A dog from a long-forgotten generation that knows how to work. The Bouvier makes an excellent watchdog and is a big powerful pooch too.
Again, they may not look like the Pyr, but they do have a double coat and shed moderately, just like the Great Pyrenees. Yet, the difference is the loose fur remains in your Bouvier des Flandres’ coat, thus is hypoallergenic. However, they will require weekly grooming to remove it.
The Bouvier is slightly easier to train than the Pyr, but requires the same amount of mental stimulation and are also moderate barkers — the same as the Great Pyrenees. This comes back to the outstanding watchdog nature of both breeds.
You may be thinking that there is no way that this fluffy dog can be hypoallergenic, but they are. Samoyeds are unique because despite having a double coat and shedding heavily twice a year, they don’t produce enough dander to cause an allergic reaction. If you want a large, fluffy dog, the Samoyed may be the breed for you!
Although smaller than the Great Pyrenees, standing a modest 19 to 23 inches tall and weighing an average weight of 50 to 60 pounds. These dogs make amazing family dogs and are great with children. They’re also easy to train, but Samoyeds are more prone to barking than the Great Pyrenees.
If you’re looking for an affectionate pup that’s great with kids, the Portuguese Water Dog may be the one for you. This dog is gentle and playful, and loves children as well as being active with their family.
Although this breed isn’t renowned for being great watchdogs, they’re a little reserved with strangers. Plus, they have a very protective nature when it comes to their humans!
The Portuguese Water Dog is easy to train and is also a high-energy dog, so requires quite a bit of daily exercise to keep them in top condition.
Conclusion
The Great Pyrenees are big bow-wows, born to protect, yet despite their size, they’re lovable and make great family dogs. This breed is the perfect choice for a household that is predictable and loves to cuddle, but, unfortunately, this breed is a big no for people with allergies.
If you’re looking for a dog similar to the Great Pyrenees, minus the shedding issues, the Airedale Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, and Portuguese Water Dog are popular alternatives.
Are Great Pyrenees hypoallergenic? Unfortunately not, they have a dense double coat and are moderate shedders. Great Pyrenees shed all year round and also blow their coats in the spring and fall.
How Hypoallergenic Are Great Pyrenees?
Zero percent.
The Great Pyrenees is a moderate shedder — all year round and blows their double coat twice a year in fall and spring.
Is a Great Pyrenees a Good House Dog?
These dogs love a calm and routine household. They make a great house dog — as long as you have plenty of space, preferably in a suburban or rural area.
Can Great Pyrenees Be Left Alone?
While these big bundles of fluff love their family, they’re ok to be left alone for 5 to 8 hours a day. But, ensure they’re receiving plenty of mental and physical stimulation, otherwise, you can expect negative behavior.
Do Great Pyrenees Bark a Lot?
They bark moderately. This is down to their guardian nature, which means they’re designed to scare away predators and warn their owners.
Do Great Pyrenees Like to Cuddle?
You bet. Don’t be fooled by their size, these dogs will still insist on trying to cuddle up on your lap!
Do Great Pyrenees Shed a Lot?
Great Pyrenees are considered moderate shedders by the AKC. However, they’re also a very large breed, so that will play a factor in how much they shed.
