The Ultimate Guide to Pyredoodles: Great Pyrenees and Poodle Mix

Last Updated on October 27, 2023

Are you a fan of large dog breeds? If so, you’ll definitely want to learn more about the Pyredoodle!

These adorable pups are a mix between a Great Pyranese and a Standard Poodle, resulting in a breed that’s both fluffy and intelligent.

Pyredoodles are known for their loving and loyal personalities, making them the perfect addition to any family.

In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Pyredoodles so special and why they’re becoming increasingly popular among dog lovers.

We’ll also discuss why you shouldn’t get a Pyredoodle, despite all their amazing qualities.

Pyredoodle breed characteristics
Height	22 to 32 inches
Weight	85 to 100 pounds
Temperament	Affectionate, protective, social, stubborn

What is a Pyredoodle?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pax the Pyredoodle (@paxthepyredoodle)

A Pyredoodle, also known by names like Pyreneesdoodle, Pyreneespoo, and Pyrepoo, is a Doodle breed dog. It’s a cross between Standard Poodle and Great Pyrenees, i.e., the Pyrenean Mountain Dog.

The history of the Pyredoodle is a bit muddied, but people typically think they came into existence in the 2000s when breeders starting to combine Great Pyranees’ and Poodles to get a Pyrenees-like dog with a low-shedding coat.

As a designer breed, Pyredoodle is not allowed to become a member of the American Kennel Club, but they are recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.

Appearance

Pyredoodle dogs come in different colors, and their coat may be wavy, curly, or straight, depending on which traits they inherit from each parent dog.

However, one thing is certain: Pyredoodles are incredibly charming and adorable no matter how they look!

Let’s go over some of the common physical traits among this mixed breed.

Coat

Poodles have a single coat of dense, curly hair, while Great Pyrenees dogs have a thick double coat consisting of a woolly undercoat and a long, coarse outer coat. Pyredoodlescan inherit traits from both parent breeds and have a coat that is a blend of both.

Typically, Pyredoodles have wavy coats but some might also have a non-shedding curly coat while others have a shedding straight coat (but this is uncommon).

Colors

The most popular color of a Pyredoodle dog is cream or white.

However, these dogs also come in other shades like gray, apricot, and black.

Usually, Pyredoodle dogs have coats with a solid color. However, a mix of two shades on their coat is also not uncommon.

Height and weight

The average height of a male Pyredoodle dog in its adult stage is about 28 to 32 inches, and that of a female Pyredoodle is 22 to 26 inches.

Male Pyredoodles weigh around 90 to 100 pounds, and female Pyredoodles weigh 85 to 95 pounds.

In general, they are similar to Bloodhound, Bucovina Shepherd, Euro Mountain Sheparnese, and Golden Mountain Dog breeds in size.

Personality and temperament

Pyredoodles make great family pets, and one of the reasons is their temperament. They inherit the intelligence and warmth from both of their parent breeds, making them an excellent companion for any family.

To understand what you can expect from a Pyredoodle, let’s take a closer look at each of their parent breeds individually.

Great Pyrenees

A Great Pyrenees dog has a calm and gentle nature that makes it perfect for kids. These dogs have a docile nature and can grow into shy dogs if they do not get early socialization while they are still puppies. However, with proper training, a Great Pyrenees puppy will grow into a well-mannered adult dog.

Great Pyrenees dogs are known for their quiet and serious demeanor. They possess a brave spirit and have an unwavering loyalty to their family members, making them the ultimate best friend for humans. In fact, their comforting nature makes them ideal therapy dogs, and their intelligence makes them a breeze to train.

Due to their independent nature, Great Pyrenees dogs prefer to work by themselves and figure things out on their own. However, their stubbornness can sometimes get in the way of training.

Nonetheless, their independent streak is what makes them such unique and admirable dogs!

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles are fantastic family dogs, known for their loyal and friendly nature. They have an innate watchdog tendency and will bark to alert their owners of any strange noises or visitors. When encountering new faces, they can be a bit reserved or shy, but they quickly warm up to people with time.

These intelligent and active dogs are also easy to train. Their athleticism, high energy levels, and eagerness to learn make them responsive to training.

Standard Poodles are personable and love to interact with humans. They are highly perceptive and can easily read their owners’ body language and expressions, making them very sensitive to their owners’ emotions.

Overall, Standard Poodles are intuitive and empathetic pets that get along well with other pets and younger dogs. However, they need early socialization and exposure to new experiences to avoid becoming anxious or startled by touch or sounds.

Pyredoodle

Now that we know about both parents, let’s take a closer look at this gentle giant to uncover what its personality is like.

Affectionate

Pyredoodles have a naturally sweet and affectionate nature that makes them the perfect companion for any dog lover. They interact well with their owners and are incredibly loyal to their families. Due to their loving nature, they make great nanny dogs and therapy dogs, offering comfort and companionship to those in need.

Intelligent

Pyredoodles are highly intelligent dogs, making them easy to train. However, it’s important to start their training at a young age before they develop any negative habits. Proper training and socialization will ensure that your Pyredoodle is confident and well-behaved around other animals and humans.

Active

Pyredoodles are an active breed and require plenty of exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. Outdoor activities like long walks or trips to the dog park are great for burning off excess energy. Indoor activities like puzzles and games can help keep their minds stimulated when they need to stay inside.

Sociable

Pyredoodles are sociable dogs that make friends easily. They get along well with people of all ages, including children, and other pets. However, it’s important to socialize them at a young age to avoid shyness or fear of other animals.

Protective

Pyredoodles have a watchdog temperament and can be quite protective of their families, especially children. They make great guard dogs and are always on the lookout for potential threats. Despite their protective nature, they are gentle and affectionate with their loved ones.

Stubborn

Thanks to their Pyrenees parent, Pyredoodles can be a little stubborn at times, which can make them challenging to train. However, with a little extra patience, you’ll be able to train your Pyredoodle in no time.

Grooming

Grooming Pyredoodles is an exhausting task, but absolutely worth every second. As Pyredoodle tend to have low shedding coats, you need to spend time combing and brushing their hair to get all the tangles and knots out. If you don’t, your dog will get painful mats that could lead to infections and lesions.

Typically, you can expect to spend 30 minutes daily brushing a Pyredoodle with wavy to curly hair (unless you keep them shaved down).

On top of at-home grooming, you’ll need to take a Pyredoodle to the groomers every six to eight weeks on average.

Exercise needs

The Pyredoodle is a fairly active dog that needs around 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Since they are big dogs, they are prone to lethargy and obesity, which can only be kept away with the help of daily exercise and fun activities all the time, besides keeping an eye on the dog’s diet.

Pyredoodle dogs are known for their activity level but can become lazy if not given enough exercise. Taking your Pyredoodle out for a walk, jog, or hike with you is a great way to keep their mind and body healthy. But beware, Pyredoodles can overheat, so make sure to avoid hot weather when planning outdoor activities.

Swimming is another excellent form of exercise that Pyredoodles will enjoy, especially considering Poodles were originally bred as water dogs. It’s also essential to allow your Pyredoodle to socialize with other dogs and people. Puppy classes and visitors are great ways to expose your Pyredoodle to new experiences and improve their social skills.

Just remember not to schedule exercise around your Pyredoodle’s mealtime, and plan for exercise at least 1-2 hours before or after feeding to avoid bloat, which could be fatal.

Pyredoodle price

Pyredoodles can cost upwards of $2,000. Needless to say, this price will vary based on your location. As well, the price of the puppy may vary based on the gender of the dog.

Where to buy Pyredoodle puppies

When considering adding a Pyredoodle to your family, you have two options. You can either adopt one from a rescue or buy from a breeder.

If you’re looking for a puppy with proper health checkups and information about its parents, a breeder can help you with that.

Rescues

If you’re open to adopting an adult Pyredoodle instead of getting a puppy, dog rescues are a great place to start your search. Even if you’re specifically looking for a Poodle mix, non-breed-specific rescues often have plenty of mixed-breed dogs waiting for their forever homes.

The National Great Pyrenees Rescue is a good place to start if you’re interested in a Pyrenees mix. You can also check out our directory of Doodle rescues to find a local shelter. Adopting from a rescue is a great way to give a Pyredoodle a second chance at a happy life.

Additionally, you can reach out to breeders in your area to see if they keep waitlists for adoptions. Oftentimes, breeders will require dogs to be returned back to them if for some reason the family can no longer care for them. When this happens, the breeder will find a suitable family to adopt the dog to.

Reputable Breeder

The next place to find a Pyredoodle puppy is from a reputable breeder.

When looking for a furry friend, it’s essential to find a reputable breeder that can provide you with all the necessary information to ensure that you buy a healthy dog with no potential health problems inherited from its parents. Here are some things to keep in mind when searching for a breeder:

• A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with the necessary health reports for both the puppies and their parents.
• Always check the living conditions of the animals and ask the breeder to take you to their facilities.
• Be wary of shady breeders running puppy mills who prioritize profit over the health and living conditions of the puppies and their parents.
• An ethical breeder will start training and socializing the puppies early, get them vaccinated by a veterinarian, and allow you to meet both the parents and puppies before adoption.
• A reputable breeder should also be transparent and able to answer all your questions about the puppies, their parents, and the conditions in which they are bred and raised.
• Be cautious of breeders you meet online or outside of their facilities, as they may only be interested in making a profit and may not provide healthy conditions or proper treatment to the puppies and their parents.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you bring home a healthy and happy furry friend from a reputable breeder.

Lifespan

Pyredoodles typically live 10 to 12 years. You can ensure your Pyredoodle lives a long and healthy life by feeding them a high-quality dog food, giving them plenty of exercise, and taking them to the vet when necessary.

Health issues

Pyredoodles are generally healthy dogs, but like all other breeds, they may face a few health issues. Here are some of the common health conditions that Pyredoodles may develop:

• Hip Dysplasia: Pyredoodles may develop canine hip dysplasia, a condition inherited from one of the parent dogs. Usually, it only develops when the dog grows old and can cause excruciating pain and discomfort. Additionally, this condition can also lead to arthritis as the dog ages.
• Eye Problems: Since both the parent breeds are known to have eye problems, Pyredoodles may also have them. Eye infections, conjunctivitis, pus, etc., are common eye problems in this dog. It may also develop vision issues or even get cataracts, just like human beings.
• Bloating: Bloat is a life-threatening condition common to both Poodles and Great Pyrenees dogs. Bloating occurs when the dog’s stomach bloats and twists cuts off blood from reaching the heart. Bloat is a medical emergency and is fatal without intervention. You can ask your vet about tacking your Pyredoodle’s stomach down to prevent bloating. Typically, they’ll tack the stomach during spay/neuter sessions.

To keep your Pyredoodle healthy, it’s essential to pay attention to its diet and weight. These dogs have a tendency to gain weight, so it’s crucial to stick to a strict schedule and consult your vet regarding their diet plan.

Why you shouldn’t get a Pyredoodle

Pyredoodles seem like great family dogs, but like all dogs, it’s important to consider why getting this dog isn’t the right choice for you.

First, Pyredoodle’s are large dogs that require plenty of exercise and stimulation. If you can’t provide your dog with the right amount of exercise, you might want to look towards a low-energy breed.

Secondly, Pyredoodles need lots of at-home grooming, bathing, and brushing, as well as frequent trips to the groomers. If you don’t think you’ll have time to spend brushing your pup for 30 minutes per day to avoid mats, reconsider the Pyredoodle.

Lastly, Pyredoodles aren’t 100% hypoallergenic. I like to remind people that just because a dog is crossed with a Poodle, doesn’t mean people with allergies will be able to handle them.

People with dog allergies aren’t allergic to the hair/fur. They’re allergic to the protein found in dead skin cells (dander), urine, and saliva.

When a dog doesn’t shed, they often spread less dander around. Which can help people with allergies.

However, these people are still allergic to other things like the saliva.

So, if you have allergies, you should speak with an allergist to determine if a dog is the right choice for you.

Summary

Pyredoodles can make the perfect pet for anyone, whether you’re a family or a single person. But as with any pet, they do require some attention from their owner. Daily walks are a must, and it’s essential to keep them engaged throughout the day with various physical and mental activities.

One of the important things to keep in mind is daily brushing. This keeps their coat tangle and mat-free, you’ll need to brush them every single day and take them to the groomers often.

If you have the time and energy to give, a Pyredoodle will reward you with the best friendship you could ask for. They’re loyal, loving, and a joy to be around. Just make sure to give them the attention and care they need to thrive!

Do you have a Great Pyrenees Poodle mix? Let us know in the comments below and tell us what they’re like!