Pyrenean Sheepdog (Long Haired)

Breed characteristics

Size: Medium
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
Size of home: Small house
Grooming: More than once a week
Coat length: Medium
Sheds: Yes
Lifespan: Under 10 years
Vulnerable native breed: No
Town or country: Either
Size of garden: Small/ medium garden

The first Breed Standard was published in 1926 but the Pyrenean Sheepdog goes back much further than that and almost every valley in the Pyrenees had its own 'type' with small variations but with a basic resemblance. They are quite lightly built, energetic but a little wary of strangers. The coat can form cords on some parts of the body. Many see the breed as a smaller version of the Catalan Sheepdog and geographical proximity suggests some common blood. The herding skills of the Pyrenean Sheepdog were often used alongside the Pyrenean Mountain Dog who guarded the flock.

There is also a short-haired, smooth-faced variety which is not yet recognised in the UK.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Pastoral breed group

The Pastoral Group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds who have been herding reindeer for centuries are but a few included in this group.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black
Black & White
Blue Merle
Brindle
Cream
Fawn
Grey
Slate Blue

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
Check inbreeding calculators
Breed club – heart testing (puppies) for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Health (The Kennel Club)

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.