Wife wants to get a puppy as we are about to lose our oldest. Right now she's obsessed with a puppy that is a great Pyrenees and Heeler mix. Looking for any input on size, temperament, or anything else I need to know.

We live in an acre and go to the hunting ranch often, so plenty of space for movement. Also have a 5 yr old staffy that is super easy temperament

Pyrenees are super stubborn and very hairy so will shed a forest all the time. They are also super lazy (at least ours was). They are protective though.

Blue heelers are very hyper and need a job to prevent misbehaving behaviors.

Good luck!

Cromagnum said:

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Pyrenees are super stubborn and very hairy so will shed a forest all the time. They are also super lazy (at least ours was). They are protective though.

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GPs must also have strong behavioral genes too. We did the DNA test on our mutt and the only thing they came back with was a trace of GP and collie. He looks much more like a collie but acts just like a GP.

Someone holding the heeler up there to get the job done for this mix breed???

We have 2 (sisters) that are GP and Heeler. Always loud and have mellowed. (9 years old) Also have a pup out of one that is GP sired. He is 40% larger and they are absolutely hair machines

I don't have a GP, but run across them constantly while working. If I ever get another dog, that will be the one. I have yet to come across an aggressive one. They do try to herd me as I walk around, and they are one of the few breeds that I've had "smile" at me.

I thought I was the only one thinking that

Our failed rescue is a Pyrenees/German Shepherd mix. She is about 85 lbs. It seems that these are the two primary breeds in her. At any rate, she seems to think she is a 15lb dog and will crawl up in your lap and sit on you. She sleeps with us in our bed. Super cool. She also sounds like a 200lb dog when she barks, and does not like ANYTHING out of the ordinary. Horse walks in the yard, she lets you know. Chickens on the porch...not cool.

One thing that she does that I have never had in any other dog is that she routinely hunts, locates, and alerts us to scorpions in the house. She will jump off the couch and run across the house an raise hell to let us know she found a scorpion. She does not like them. She knows they are 'bad'. She has done this about 20 times and it's way more than 'luck'. She knows they are there. She can smell them under the furniture. It's crazy.

She is highly protective of family members. We don't have visitors and I've never had her outside the property in public so I do not know how she would behave with an aggressive stranger but my guess is that it would be less than ideal for them.

She's pretty great.

And yes, the wife vacuums the house 4 times a week. Heavy double coated shedder.

I am a Catahoula guy myself and have plenty of them, but the GP something else. She's awesome.

All I know is I have a Pyredoodle, which is great pyrenees mixed with poodle, and he's stupid as ***** You can see the stupid in his eyes. I hear that's the poodle part but not sure so do some research. This guy is full on ******.

Do some research on standard poodles. You'll find they are one of the most intelligent breeds. Last two we had were a testament to this. Sadly, life expectancy is too short.

We have a GP and live on an acre. The first 1.5 years he destroyed everything outside. Took a lot of discipline but hasn't chewed up a thing since. He's incredibly stubborn headed on listening, but is also the sweetest dog to everyone. He sheds a ton. Great family dog though. Unfortunately don't know much about heelers and how that'd play in.

pablof said:

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Do some research on standard poodles. You'll find they are one of the most intelligent breeds. Last two we had were a testament to this. Sadly, life expectancy is too short.

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I'll just believe you. Maybe his daddy was just not very intelligent.

Here is our pup, a Pyrador. She was gonna make a pretty fair duck dog til mama got ahold of her. Super sweet, intelligent, can be stubborn, protective but not aggressive, and sounds like a 400 lb husky when she barks. Loves to smell everything around her, never seen a dog with her sense of smell. She spoiled but lots of fun. A very sleepy girl here:

Awesome!!!

We have a seven month old puppy that is 40% GP, 40% malamute, and 20% heeler. He's 90 lbs (so far). Good dog. Very friendly and loves to play. Always wants to be with people and if people aren't available, with our other dogs.

He is destroying things in the yard, but he is young and we are working on that. Doesn't really destroy anything inside. Has a deep bark that sounds scary, but never seen him be aggressive toward any thing. He's been a great addition to our family.

We have a poodle/heeler mix. Jesus, this is THE smartest dog I have ever had. Verbal commands are immediate. Recall is 100%. She even lets us know when the other dog is out of food or has to go to the bathroom.

Only issue is she gets bored and need stimulation. We have hiking trails near the house. I grab a beer, turn her loose, she chases rabbits/etc. and gets her fill. Then I whistle and she comes back and never gets out of visual range. Best part, she's a rescue.

We have a GP x Mastiff x German Shepherd mix that we adopted from a shelter 3 years ago. Like others have said, GP are a little headstrong/subborn. We like to use the term "aloof". He sheds like crazy (glad I didn't replace the white tile floors in the house), and is pretty much a couch potato until the boogy man shows up at night. Then his bark is crazy loud. Loves kids (especially when they have been eating powdered donuts). At 130 pounds, he is like a 3rd human but I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Cromagnum said:

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Pyrenees are super stubborn and very hairy so will shed a forest all the time. They are also super lazy (at least ours was). They are protective though.

Blue heelers are very hyper and need a job to prevent misbehaving behaviors.

Good luck!

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Goose is 8 months old. Our commands are suggestions to him. He is super protective of us and the other dogs. He keeps a strict accounting of where each dog is and where we are. He is pretty darn smart and his bark shakes the house.

Funny you say that, I have one, almost too nice of a dog and the only dog I have ever seen "smile" at you.

AgResearch said:

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Someone holding the heeler up there to get the job done for this mix breed???

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Maybe Tandy can explain the mechanics of how it went down.

AgResearch said:

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Someone holding the heeler up there to get the job done for this mix breed???

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GP took a knee

empty said:

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AgResearch said:

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Someone holding the heeler up there to get the job done for this mix breed???

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GP gook a knee

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Flagged for racial insensitivity!

BlueSmoke said:

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We have a poodle/heeler mix. Jesus, this is THE smartest dog I have ever had. Verbal commands are immediate. Recall is 100%. She even lets us know when the other dog is out of food or has to go to the bathroom.

Only issue is she gets bored and need stimulation. We have hiking trails near the house. I grab a beer, turn her loose, she chases rabbits/etc. and gets her fill. Then I whistle and she comes back and never gets out of visual range. Best part, she's a rescue.

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This is my next dog.

I'd be curious about the coat on such a mix. I had heelers as a kid and remember brushing out huge piles of hair from them.

We have a collie that is an avid scorpion hunter. She will track them down in the house and bark at them with a particular bark.

She also tracks and alerts on snakes.

Sister has a Pyrenees/Australian shepherd cross and he's completely awesome. That said, he's very vocal, sheds a ton, is stubborn and protective, and won't load up in the car, ever.

We have a 1/2 Great Pyr, 1/2 Golden Retriever that is nearing 11 years old. Currently weighs about 120 lbs, has been as much as 140 several years ago. I will echo the other comments about shedding, he does it year round. The first time he blew his winter coat, we collected 5 or 6 plastic grocery bags full of hair. Great temperament, very friendly with people, gets along fine with other animals once introduced. Sounds off anytime he sees or hears other critters or people in or near our yard. Can be quite stubborn but is very faithful, he's my shadow around the house.

lol, we have the exact same couch as you

We have a golden Pyrenees. Half golden retriever and half Great Pyrenees. He is just over a year old and sheds like crazy. Very sweet and a scaredy cat but he barks like he's a big scary dog. We wouldn't trade him for anything though.

ShinerBlonde said:

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We have a golden Pyrenees. Half golden retriever and half Great Pyrenees. He is just over a year old and sheds like crazy. Very sweet and a scaredy cat but he barks like he's a big scary dog. We wouldn't trade him for anything though.

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We had this with Goose. He has a tree he like to lay under and a Mocking Bird has a nest in that tree. It would come down and get him. It scared the hell out of him (2-3mos old). He has finally started going back to his tree, but you can see him watching the sky for birds. Really funny to see a big ol dog scared of a bird.

We have a Pyredoodle as well.

1) still sheds a ton
2) is an idiot
3) super nice dog who loves people
4) very laid back

GP have maybe the best personality of any dog you will find.

German Shep + GP

Best dog I've ever had.
+1 on enormous scaredy-cat. Mines right at 90lbs
Plays great with kids, never had an issue meeting new folks.
Huge weasel when it comes to scratches, pets, and belly rubs.

I can rebuild a roomba blindfolded, upside down. Sheds a ton.

Ornithopter said:

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We have a Pyredoodle as well.

1) still sheds a ton
2) is an idiot
3) super nice dog who loves people
4) very laid back

GP have maybe the best personality of any dog you will find.

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Ours doesn't shed much but hard Yes on 2-4. He's a very handsome and friendly moron!