I often hear people say something like, “I saw a dog that looked like a Great Pyrenees the other day, but it wasn’t pure white. It must have been a mix.” They are then surprised when I tell them that all Great Pyrenees aren’t pure white! Some pyrs have colorations called “badger marks”.
Badger marks come in several variations of badger, gray, or shades of tan. They are most commonly seen on the head and base of the tail. Per the breed standard, badger marks may cover no more than 1/3 of the dog’s body. That means a pyr can have a significant amount of coloration!
The most interesting thing about badger marks is that they change throughout the dog’s life. Dark badger marks on a puppy will gradually lighten over time; tan marks typically fade to white.
What some people don’t realize is that badger marks can lighten and darken. Mauja had light tan badger marks that seemingly disappeared only to reappear just recently.
Why do their badger marks change? Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s been hypothesized that the dark marks helped to disguise them among the rocks when they were born in the mountains long ago. The puppies were then less susceptible to predators.
However, that’s only a guess!
Since Mauja’s badger marks are extremely faint and Atka doesn’t have any at all, I polled the pyr community to get some pictures. I received so many amazing pictures and it was hard narrowing them down, but here are some great examples of the changes (or lack of changes) in badger marks.
Good luck handling the cuteness! 😉
As you can see, Great Pyrenees are very unique in not only their markings, but how their markings change over time. Many, many thanks to everyone who submitted photos for me to use! The pyr community is truly wonderful 🙂
Do you have or have you seen a pyr with badger marks?
Pamela says
September 1, 2015 at 11:52 amWow, that’s a whole lotta Pyr beauty.
I’m not surprised to think of puppies having markings that fade. But I’m surprised to hear about them reappearing in an adult dog.
Any speculations on why that could be? And do any other Pyr people you know have dogs who have regained their badger spots?
Kelsie says
September 1, 2015 at 11:59 amMauja’s badger marks are showing up again recently. She had light tan ears that faded to white by about 4 months of age. In the past few months I’ve noticed them reappearing. They’re much lighter than the ones she was born with, but darker than a year ago!
I’ve met a couple people with marks to fade and then reappear in adulthood. I have absolutely no idea why! Definitely an interesting topic though.
Jules says
April 8, 2017 at 12:50 pmWe adopted our 3-year-old Great Pyr gal on 1/1/17. She is pretty much pure white, a little bit of pale gray and tan on her ears. We’ve noticed lately that she is starting to show more very faint color: tan on her rump above her tail, more tan on her head between her ears, and even a big, very light tan spot on her side! She has been starting to blow her coat – wondering if that’s making the color show more.
Whatever colors she decides to wear, we adore our sweet girl. 🙂
Kim says
March 21, 2019 at 12:46 pmI have noticed this to be true, as well. In my experience the badger marks can fade or darken when coat is renewing.
Bonnie says
July 10, 2017 at 5:15 pmIf both mom and dad are all white will the puppy’s have markings?
Lillian Friedman says
December 24, 2018 at 3:02 amMy aunt and uncle have 3 pyrs. I don’t know this for fact but my speculation is that pyrs have two coats, so I wonder if the under coat is more like their skin and baby coat (this includes the badger markings). I wonder if it has to do with shedding and what coat is showing through. Perhaps that’s why it changes over time. Any other ideas?
Leslie Topf says
September 1, 2015 at 12:11 pmOfficially the Blair markings are referred to as “Blaireau” in French meaning wolf or badger markings. I happen to be partial to the masks of Blairs and find them quite beautiful.
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Suzannah Rodriguez says
September 14, 2017 at 12:36 pmYou just saved me the time of typing the same explanation – thanks, Leslie!
Jody Miller-Young says
September 2, 2015 at 10:31 amReally interesting, Kelsie! And so much cuteness, yes! I had no idea Great Pyrenees were anything but white and you can see from the first set of pics, that sometimes those puppy badger marks do get darker with age. Wow!
April says
September 2, 2015 at 3:26 pmI’ve never met a Pyr yet, but I did see a Leonberger recently. I’ve never seen such a tall dog.
Dogo’s can have interesting markings and pigmentation as well. I love all of the Pyr pictures, such a gorgeous, loving breed.
MyDogLikes says
September 2, 2015 at 6:28 pmThese pictures are ridiculously cute. I didn’t know that Great Pyrenees can have these markings or that they are called badger marks! It reminds me of our kitten Lucas who was nearly all white when he came home with us and later developed various markings of tan and brown.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
September 2, 2015 at 10:16 pmI thought they were all white too. A little bit like Yorkies, they’re super dark as puppies and get lighter.
Kama says
September 3, 2015 at 7:59 amWow, that’s so interesting! I never knew Pyrs had coloration called Badger Marks. I would have been that person assuming the dog was a mix. I love to learn new things. Thanks for sharing!
Paula says
September 11, 2015 at 7:33 amMy Sheena stayed all white until she passed at 14. I love the Badger marked babies. Sorta reminds me of the Corgi breed. You can pick a puppy for color, but that doesn’t mean that they will still be the same color when they are 2 years old. My son picked a corgi that was basically black and tan. Pippa is basically white and tan with one small black spot now at 2 years.
Olga says
September 21, 2015 at 8:56 amAround one year ago happened very interesting story. I has two Great Pyrs almost white, but anyway they have some light brown marks. During our walking with my husband and our dogs we met one grand mistress with two
teenagers. And she asked us – what kind of breed this dogs…. Our conversation:
– they are great pyr dogs
– ok! I know this breed, my friend has the same, only his dog is black and without tail…
Another without comment
glenncottage says
November 9, 2015 at 7:20 amGreat article! Cherokee had badger markings. At one year old they are much lighter now. I do hope he keep his dark grey ear tips. The tan near his eyes and at the base of his tail get lighter and lighter as time goes by.
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says
November 17, 2015 at 7:52 amI had never heard that about badger marks before!!! Interesting!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
David Duarte says
November 20, 2015 at 8:11 amThe badger marks on Snowy’s head are very faint and easy to miss unless you look closely. He also has a big brown spot on his back close to his tail.
Clowie says
December 23, 2015 at 9:37 amMy markings covered most of my face when I was small, but they ended up looking like I’m wearing some eye shadow.
Liz says
February 9, 2016 at 5:04 amOur Huey was born brown with black on his face and on most of his tail. He will be 1 in a few days and he’s more of a cream color with no black rather than the usual bright white.
R Watson says
February 21, 2016 at 6:29 pmJust had our first (and most likely only) litter. 4 white/4 badger. Absolutely GORGEOUS markings.
Kylie says
April 26, 2016 at 9:10 amLove the pictures of the pups! So adorable, thanks for the post!
Karma says
May 25, 2016 at 9:42 pmI hear this all the time. My girl, Maggie May, is a badger marked gal with brown tipped ears and a brown patch over one eye. Most people will ask me if what she is, or if she is a Great Pyrenees mix. But she is pure GP. And beautiful. I try to briefly and kindly educate them that, no, she is full great pyr and it is called badger markings. Some of them just look at me with skepticism. But, oh well.
Glen says
June 9, 2016 at 12:15 pmMy Bella has the badger markings and people are always asking what she is mixed with. She has a blond spot on her tail and freckles on her back. Her ears are smokey blond. And her nose has a blond bridge.
Sommer says
September 22, 2016 at 10:10 pmI adopted a 4mo old pup from a shelter that looks 100% Pyr except one thing; coat. He does have coloring on his head and tail which is normal. BUT his whole body appears to be a cream color and you can faintly see pure white socks. Can this be normal or does it suggest a mix?
Kelsie says
September 23, 2016 at 8:14 amCan you send me a picture of him? That would be really helpful 🙂 [email protected]
Yvonne says
May 25, 2018 at 11:01 amI just adopted a 4 month old with much the same markings. Both parents are pure white. The breeder assured me she will turn pure white but I have my doubts now after reading this article. While I hope she does, I love her just the same!
Kim says
October 19, 2016 at 9:42 amSo adorable, thanks for the share! Love this breed of dog!
shelby mcdonald says
December 12, 2016 at 7:22 pmI just had a coworker tell me that the local vet said that if a pyr dog had any color on it that it was not a pure breed.
Jazzy says
August 28, 2017 at 9:10 pmTurn around and run from that vet!!! They do not know your dog…
Cathy Armato says
March 30, 2017 at 11:40 amI always thought Prys were pure white too. These photos are so adorable! I love these puppies with their cute little badger marks. Thanks for sharing.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Katie says
July 7, 2018 at 12:18 amOur sweet girl had tan ears and a dark spot on her bum, but now – almost 9 years old – she is virtually all white. Her bum spot still peaks out a little in the right light, but my how she is changed!
Her siblings had lots more badger spots and they have faded/lightened with age too – though my sweet girl is the most “white” of them all. I often wondered why the siblings looked so different from one another and why their spots faded so much. Now I know! 🙂
Jamie Jackson says
January 13, 2019 at 11:06 amOh my goodness! Such beautiful puppies! I’m so glad I have found these articles, as they have helped us understand our Pyr puppy, Mika, so much more. Everytime we take her anywhere, we’re always asked what she is mixed with. Everyone is always suprised to find out that she is full Pyranese! She has tan on top of her head, and her ears are gray, tan and black, with a good mix of those colors right at her back hips.
She is currently only 7 months old, but she definitely has her own way of doing things, her own schedule, and is a GREAT protector on our little hilltop!
Tom King says
February 21, 2019 at 3:08 pmOur boy is a 4-year-old rescue, and he has been in our family for a year, now (from Feb to Feb). We could swear he was all white to start, but now has striking (very obvious) tan spots on his sides (his “saddle bags”), at the base of his tail, his ears and head. His coat seems quite full at this point, so its not shedding that brought it out. I assumed that he is just so happy to have a happy home, that he is finally expressing his “true colors”!
Jerry says
February 23, 2019 at 2:40 pmCan someone tell me where the name “badger” came from for the Pyr coloration?
Jami Bova says
March 21, 2019 at 4:28 pmOur sweet Hattie has gray badger markings. People always ask if she’s mixed with anatolian, but she is all Great Pyr.
https://www.facebook.com/HappyWifeFarm/photos/a.848682858634572/993658210803702/?type=3&theater