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Great Pyrenees Statements I Don’t Know How To Respond To

June 20, 2016 43 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. You won't pay a penny more, but you'll help keep It's Dog or Nothing running (websites are expensive!) and the floofs fed (they're even more expensive - as you well know) ;)

 

It’s inevitable that people are going to want to talk to me about Mauja and Atka when we’re out and about, and I absolutely love it. However, sometimes people make comments that I really don’t know how to respond to. Sometimes, the comments are obvious, and other times, they’re slightly offensive.

Fair warning: After rereading the post, I realized I was feeling slightly sarcastic when I wrote it.

 

“Those are some big dogs!”

Yes, yes they are quite large; no, they’re not “white Newfoundlands;” and no, they’re not polar bears.

 

“They’re SO FLUFFY!”

Yes, they’re fluffy; yes, they require a lot of brushing; and no, I don’t shave them.

 

“Those dogs are bigger than you!”

No, they don’t drag me down the street; no, I don’t need help with them; and yes, they outweigh me.

 

Related: Great Pyrenees Tips (from people who know the breed)

 

“They’re so white!”

Yes, they are; and no, I don’t have to bathe them all the time.

 

“My aunt’s friend’s sister had one of those.”

Cool! I love meeting other pyr lovers, but calling them “one of those” means you’re probably not one of them. Can I meet your aunt’s friend’s sister?

 

“Put a saddle on that thing and you could ride it!”

First, please don’t refer to my dog as “that thing”. Second, that’s a terrible idea. I know sometimes people are joking, but children don’t typically recognize that. Then we end up with kids sitting on dog’s backs, injuring the dog, and sometimes getting themselves injured.

 

“How can you afford to feed them?”

I really don’t even know where to go with this one. Do I look like I don’t have money to care for my dog or do you assume I’m making a lot of money because I have giant breed dogs? What are you insinuating here?

 

Related: 5 Must-Have Tools for Grooming Great Pyrenees

 

“How much did they cost?”

Maybe it’s just me, but I really don’t feel like this is an appropriate question to ask anyone. Usually, I respond with a range that I’ve seen for Great Pyrenees from rescues and breeders. This question always makes me uncomfortable.

 

“Oh, I had a *insert random breed here* growing up too!”

That’s really awesome, but these are actually Great Pyrenees. Often followed by, “Oh, yeah! Great Pyrenees. That’s what I had.”

 

“Will you be having puppies soon?”

This question usually arises shortly after I tell people what breed Mauja and Atka are. They know nothing about the breed (except that they are stunning) and now want their own. I have to gently calm people down so we can discuss breed traits before they impulsively buy a Great Pyrenees. Also, no – they are both fixed.

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I absolutely love talking about Great Pyrenees, but sometimes people make comments I really don't know how to respond to.

Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: breed information, great pyrenees

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vicky Z says

    June 20, 2016 at 11:09 am

    Haahaaa….yep, I hear that same stuff and more. I have a new Nissan Murano, white leather interior, sunroof. People are horrified that I put my dogs in there….then I explain they are the reason I bought that car!

    Reply
    • adrian Morris says

      September 24, 2018 at 3:26 pm

      I have 3 Pyrs one is 12 1/2 years old fighting her second battle with cancer(one she will “NOT” win). I also have 1965 Mustang coupe coming out of the shop after getting off- frame restoration being done to it. I promised Greta she would be the first living creature to ride in it, My wife heard this and I am getting used to eating at Mickey D’s and sleeping on the couch. it will be worth it.

      Reply
      • anne says

        March 26, 2019 at 12:34 pm

        They let you sleep on the couch??? lucky you!

        Reply
      • Lisa Welch says

        May 13, 2019 at 9:09 pm

        What a great story and I do hope your Greta has been able to take that ride with you.
        Prayers she is still with you and doing better.

        Reply
  2. Beverly says

    June 20, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Me too!
    I had two of these wonderful dogs ( not at the same time) when my children were growing up . They were just perfect for the little ones, so gentle . I now have a huge 225 lb Newfie and get the same questions. Someone seeing him from a distance asked if he was a gorilla .
    True!
    Enjoy your Gentlemen in white fur as Louis the XIV called them.

    Reply
  3. Valerie says

    June 20, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Haha, this post just made my day!! This is really funny!! Hahaha!

    Reply
  4. HAPPYCANYON says

    June 20, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    I just tell folks they are miniature polar bears, and it shortens the questioning. When people first call her a polar bear I get to correct them and call her a “miniature”.

    Reply
  5. Nancy Gammons says

    June 20, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    I always get nervous when someone asks me where to “get” a Pyr….we presently are lucky enough to care for two, both Rescues, as they were not well treated before, and became strays. I love our Pyrs so much, and enjoy everything about sharing our home with them.We learned about Pyrs years ago with our Charlie….
    They require a fence, frequent brushing, and lots of hugs, but our kids will never overwhelm you with licks and affection. And make sure you have a big couch and a good vacuum cleaner.

    Reply
  6. Tina Jenkins says

    June 20, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    I bought and wore a T-shirt with all the answers on it! “Do they eat a lot? No.; “Do they shed a lot? Yes.; etc. I sometimes just pointed to the shirt! Didn’t mind the comments…enjoyed talking to children about the breed. They were always very curious, and I heard some pretty funny stories about their own pets!

    Reply
  7. Tina Jenkins says

    June 20, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    I bought a T-shirt that had all the answers printed on it! “Do they eat a lot? No.” “Do they shed a lot? Yes.” Etc. Didn’t mind the comments or questions really. Especially enjoyed talking to children about my dog. They always had funny stories about their pets!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 5, 2019 at 3:52 pm

      I keep hearing that they shed a lot and that makes sense, however my daughter is fostering one right now and we spent the weekend with them and hers barely shed. My daughter thinks she’s probably already lost her spring coat and this could be why… also, we fell in love with her, so we’re adopting her!

      Reply
      • Loen says

        June 11, 2019 at 1:00 pm

        So happy she has you in her life! Thank you for making her part of your family

        Reply
  8. Elaine Hill says

    June 20, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    Absolutely made my day

    Reply
  9. Dachshund Nola says

    June 20, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    This is fantastic, haha! I may have to do a similar post on stupid things people say to dachshund owners, because that list is ENDLESS.

    Reply
  10. Letha says

    June 21, 2016 at 5:44 am

    I’ve dealt with most of these very same questions my entire life with Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Pyrenees… Drives me crazy!

    Two stories: I had a golden and a berner pup at the same time. Of course, they’re always wrong about the breeds but… “What a gorgeous St. Bernard and picture perfect golden lab!!” She had a descent looking lab at the end of her leash…. sigh….

    Second: Walking around at a balloon festival with our Newfie, Berner, and Mini Dachshund when I here a parent say to a child, “Look honey, a daddy doggy, a mama doggy, and the baby doggy.” I grabbed my husband’s arm so I wouldn’t overreact….

    And, then they look at you like you have no idea what you’re talking about when you offer a bit of advice. Sigh…

    Reply
  11. Sylvia says

    June 21, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    We have a great pyr, Odin and we get all those questions plus is he friendly?? My husband’s reply is yes he only eats (describes person such as women/men/kids) on whatever day of the week it is (Sunday etc.) Usually the person has already started petting before they register what he just said…you can tell when the pull back then he laughs and says he is friendly.

    Reply
  12. Suzy says

    June 22, 2016 at 11:01 am

    You guys are breaking my heart…my babes (bro& sis) 7 mos old littermates, have had a difficult time adjusting to our recent move. It is looking like my husband (who got us the pups) will be telling us we will have to let them go to new homes, a rescue or back to their farm. I’m dreading the argument and heartbreak that most likely will ensue, when he comes home, to have the conversation he said: ” You won’t lIke having.”

    Reply
    • Love me love my animals says

      June 25, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      Leave the husband by the side of the road somewhere.

      Reply
  13. Erin McCarthy says

    June 22, 2016 at 11:39 am

    I love the opportunity to inform people about pyrs. The two most common for me are “wow he must shed a lot” and “wow he must get very dirty!”. My responses are “worth it.” and “they’re actually self-cleaning so I don’t have to bathe them as often as you’d think!” respectively.

    Reply
  14. Carol Ann Madle says

    June 25, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    I hear: “Why would you want a dog that weighs more than you do?”

    Reply
  15. Roseanne Armstrong says

    July 5, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    I have a 1 yr old Pyr, Finn. Rescued at 8 weeks. She is the love of my life & sweet as can be. I enjoy any opportunity to talk about her, even if the questions are rediculous.

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    November 13, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    YES! My boy is 1 1/2 and a solid 130lbs! I love when people are interested in him, but they tend to make it sound like having a giant breed is a negative thing, especially when we walk him with our 4 month old daughter. When I explain he is extremely sweet and patient with her, a lot of people “warn me” about the potential of him hurting her. Very frustrating!! Love your blog! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Jules 7ky says

    February 10, 2017 at 9:48 pm

    Polar Bear. Ya, that one!

    Our girl qualifies as “petite” for a Great Pyr, at 70-75 pounds… when people remark about how big she is, I love to drop their jaws with that. 😉

    Reply
  18. Kirsten says

    April 27, 2017 at 12:02 am

    Got the same thing with my 160lb. Malamute. The question/statement that always got under my skin was “I want one. What is it?” When asked anything like questions above I usually made it sound like owning one was a negative experience. We have enough dogs in shelters to be adding more just bc they are cute but misunderstood. Ive looked into the Pyr breed myself.

    Reply
  19. Kirsten says

    April 27, 2017 at 12:11 am

    BTW…Decided it was not the right dog for us at this time only bc we have two other dogs where there might be a conflct in the future. Love the breed after having home visits with rescues and meeting with breeders but wont take a chance right now. Hope to have one in the future though. So sweet.

    Reply
  20. Pattie says

    March 8, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    We have the same questions asked on a consistent basis and like you we try to tell the good and bad if there is such a thing about the breed because of fear that people are just going to buy it because they think they are just big white fluffy teddy bears without realizing that they need patience and lots of tender loving care. We can’t imagine our lives with out Dozer so we will take the fur everywhere and the paws in the face and all the love and laughter he gives us!

    Reply
  21. Jeannie says

    September 25, 2018 at 7:58 am

    Bahaha! Thank you for this, laughed so hard! We live in CO and Apollo our 9yr old Pyr goes with us everywhere, hiking, slopes, & festivals. He is stunning, simple farm dog with working parents but we get stopped constantly. We joke about wearing a sign:
    Yes he is a dog, yes he looks like a polar bear, yes he is fluffy and yes he sheds, A Lot!
    Not a Newfie, not a Berner
    Yes we brush him weekly
    No we do not shave him
    He gets one or two baths a year
    Yes he is friendly just don’t try to enter the back of our house when we are not home, and yes he loves to snuggle
    No he does not eat enourmous amounts of food
    He weighs 125-130
    Expensive, well he came from a farm.

    Insta- @big_dog_luv

    Reply
  22. Lisa says

    September 26, 2018 at 8:42 am

    After our first “bear”, Koda, we were adopted by our second Pyr Karma… turned out to be a very good name as, just like life, you get back what give out. Can’t imagine life without the fluffy duo! And you can ask me all the questions you want (stupid or otherwise) I love to trap people with stories and pictures….

    Reply
  23. Nancy Geer says

    October 12, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    I enjoy it when people stop to ask about Ike, though it does mean we never get anywhere very fast. I like to educate kids about dogs and have many times had kids come up to me with their friends and give them the spill about what kind of dog he is, how to approach strange dogs and where he likes to be petted, etc. I recently had a school teacher approach me and ask if we could come to her classroom. I think that will be fun.

    Reply
  24. Dan Urbanski says

    February 11, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    My big boy Geronimo, knows everyone in my neighborhood,. A neighborhood that covers 18 square blocks and he makes sure everyone pets him… I’ve heard Everyone of those examples of yours, but I also know no other dog would make an impact like our Great Pyrenees.

    Reply
  25. Nate says

    June 11, 2019 at 2:29 pm

    I can’t go anywhere with Shantee without a mob. She loves the attention, though. We have been so lucky that she never learned to bark and is just the calmest, happiest, most laid back dog I’ve ever met. She’s now 13 and still in extremely good health outside some arthritis in the back. I will likely never be able to get another Pyr again because there will never be another like her.

    Reply
  26. Penny says

    June 11, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    We called them “Pyrenees adoration moments “… people stopping to meet the big dog and, yes, ask *those* questions. We lost him on April 30th and how I wish I could have all those moments again.

    Reply
  27. Carol Farley says

    June 12, 2019 at 6:51 am

    Love your comments. This is for a laugh. My husband, unfamiliar with the different breeds had trouble remembering that our dog is a Great Pyrenees, so he often couldn’t answer the question when out walking the dog. A friend told him to say “It’s a great pair o’ knees”.

    Reply
  28. Gary says

    June 12, 2019 at 9:54 am

    Love it. Yogi (aka Bear Dog) and Gracie were our first two working LGDs. When we travelled to the vet, people were shocked I could walk both of them by myself at the same time and they would just find a corner and watch the world. And of course “where can I get one” always came up. Answer: “Is it a big deal if they bark ALL NIGHT LONG at absolutely nothing?” Changed their minds almost instantly

    Reply
  29. adrian morris says

    October 16, 2019 at 7:48 am

    sadly Greta lost her second battle with cancer and when we thought things could not get worse we lost her brother George to liver failure 2 weeks later. we now have Jasper who we got as a foster when he was 3 months old he is now 3 years old 110 pounds. almost a year ago I rescued a 12 month old pure bred Newfi out of a kill shelter. at that time he tipped the scales at 115 pounds he is now 23 months old and a few weeks ago he broke the scales at the vet he is a slim and trim 152 pounds the boy can eat . Jasper and Rocky walk very well together and you can imagine all the comments I get Jasper is pure white Rocky pure black . almost every time to tell people their names are not Ebony and Ivory

    Reply
  30. Holly says

    November 4, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    My favorite question ever was “are you afraid he’s going to eat you?” Talk about not knowing how to respond!!! Our Pry is 120 lbs, named Cooper:)

    Reply
  31. Michelle says

    February 18, 2020 at 6:01 am

    I have 2 beautiful Pyre girls, Ruby and Hazel and it breaks my heart to see how many of these fluff angels get surrendered because people don’t research! Almost everything you read about these dogs are true..but if you have love, patience and a lot of space then these babies are a must!

    Reply
  32. Jeff says

    May 27, 2020 at 10:45 pm

    I have a Great pyr and black German shepherd half breed named Storm. She is still growing little over a year old. She still eats plenty still growing at 125lbs and not overweight. She is a true gentle giant if she knows you. Barks more than some dogs usually with a reason. Wary of strangers. Loves kids and is protective. Loves pulling sled and wagons. Requires lots of brushing and loves water. Whats not to like nothing. She looks like a black Great pyr.

    Reply
  33. Virginia Kennelly says

    June 24, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    I got my first Pyr a few months ago. He was a rescue but he did attend one of CA. State Prisons Dog training programs. He will be 3 years old in a couple of months. He had been abandoned and left in a Merced County desert to starve to death. His 2 litter mates didn’t make it. He weighed less then 80 lbs. when I got him, now weighs in at 100 lbs.. The fourth of July is around the corner. He cowers and shakes and bolts for our home! Two theories are people took pot shots at him in the desert situation or while at the prison, the corrections officers firing range echoed through the facility! What can I do to help him? All other aspects of this breed, of this PTSD Service Dog are exemplary! I couldn’t have found a better partner, team mate, companion! My Gentle Giant is the best!

    Reply
  34. Kathleen says

    February 9, 2021 at 1:09 pm

    So we have 3 Great Pys
    They work our sheep behind a fenced in pasture. Each day we have people that walk our hill for exercise. Our dogs have trained the walkers so well. Each time they are walking by, they are “required” to pay the toll, yep a dog bone. If they have forgotten their toll, they get quite a chorus of barks. One day the walkers invited a new person to join them. I believe they set him up. They hadn’t told him about the required toll. Well the barking began and the new walker actually changed the side of the road he was walking on. The other walkers started to laugh, walked right up to the fence (to where each of the dogs were now on their hind legs) and started petting each one of them. and then proceeded to give the bones to them. The new walker couldn’t get over how friendly the LGD’s were.
    They are a wonderful breed.

    Reply
  35. Wendy says

    June 11, 2021 at 1:59 am

    We have gotten all those comments about our Cokie. We named her that after the Coca cola bear. We rescued her in 2010. Vet said she was about 1 and a half then. She is the sweetest girl to come into our lives. She is at least 12 now and suffers from GOLPP. Don’t know how much longer we will have her.☹ We plan on continuing to give her the best life we can as long as we can.

    Reply
  36. Mike says

    December 27, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    We sometimes get questions when out for a walk (Kai..Pyr/Maremma just turned 1 he’s 120lbs and his “sister” Stella who is a Sarplaninac/Kangal cross 8.5 months and closing in on 80 lbs) but most times ppl pick up their younger kid or little dog and cross the street to avoid us. Labs German Shepherds Goldens all go wide around us. Shame because they both love meeting ppl and other pets. Both sweethearts just very large sweethearts.

    Reply
  37. Bettie says

    February 6, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    We have fostered many pyrs for our local rescue club and owned three, two who are now snoozing comfortably wherever they please. Hugo is 12 and declining from spinal degeneration : ( and Gracie is a spry 7 year old. The questions are all familiar and then some…..the woonkiest statement we have fielded while out walking with the pyrs: “Oh from afar I thought they were sheep!” Uh….?! Clearly someone unfamiliar with barnyard animals!!

    Reply

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