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| Bearsy our new pup |
We have a new addition to Farmer in the Martindale. He is a Pyrenean Mastiff puppy named Bearsey. Bearsey is an appropriate name since he will weigh over 120 pounds in a year. Sweetest big boy and already has taken to the birds. They are bred to protect their flock from bears and wolves. I have found some information regarding this breed at the Pyrenean Mastiff website. Below is a paragraph from that website.
The Pyrenean Mastiff is a large solidly built breed which indicates that size and structure are of great importance. Often there has been confusion between the Pyrenean Mastiff (Mastin del Pirineo) and the Spanish Mastiff (Mastin Espanol). The Spanish Mastiff has a shorter coat, slightly bigger head and a little more skin on the throat. The Pyrenean Mastiff has a longer coat and the base coat color is always white with an obligatory mask around the eyes and on the ears and well defined patches of color on the body. The mastiff has a thick, abundant and coarse coat that is medium long on the body but is slightly longer on the throat and neck. Coat colors most frequently seen are white with markings either golden, any shade of gray, black or badger, sand, red or marbling markings on the sides of the head and ears and the beginning of the neck. Double dew claws on the hind legs are typical but not obligatory in this breed. The double dew claws added support to the mastiffs when ploughing through deep snow much like a "snow shoe" would. In both breeds the head is important, the structure powerful, a wide chest and round ribs.
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| Barred Rock pullet staring at Bearsy |
The Pyrenean Mastiff, is different to the wonderful, Spanish Mastiff in that the Spanish Mastiffs were developed for much less traveling than their cousins. Due to the characteristics of the countryside in the old Kingdom of Aragon the seasonal journeys were much longer and the work routines of the dogs much harder than that of the other breeds.
There are again many who would compare the Pyrenean Mastiff to its French counterpart, the Great Pyrenees or Pyrenean Mountain Dog as it is known in the U.K. Each breed is unique - the Great Pyrenees is more profusely coated and the coat tends to stand out much more from the body and possesses a more graceful head. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a strong and powerful dog of great size. Average height at the withers for males is 32 inches/81 cm and 29 1/2 inches/75 cm for females. Life expectancy is around 12 or more years. The head should be massive, broad and strong, with a wide and deep muzzle. The neck is powerful and surrounded by loose skin and hanging double dewlaps. The face is symmetrical and the eyes are small and dark with the lower eye lid showing when relaxed. The tail is carried low much like a staff - and has a fringe and should have a curl at the tip and although it stands up when active, is never carried over the back. With regard to the feet they will have splayed toes and webbing between. This assisted with movement in the snowy seasons.
The Pyrenean Mastiff is a dog of loyal and honest character and an excellent protector of children and family. For those who would dare challenge the temperament of this breed - watch out! Although always friendly and alert the Pyrenean Mastiff has the ability to defend itself and those in its charge should the need arise! It is a very calm dog and has not inherited the "hair - trigger" or stubborn personality of many other guardian breeds. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a dog happy to please his owner and enjoys his owners company. In comparison to the Great Pyrenees they will not consume food sparingly! The Pyrenean as a breed that is playful and not difficult to train. Our breed upon first glance has also often incorrectly been compared to the Saint Bernard with which there actually is not any relationship. It would be considered a fault for the Pyrenean Mastiff to display a Saint Bernard type head or muzzle and the structure of both breeds is completely different.
