If youre the type that starts sneezing as soon as you come in sight of a dog, dont despair having a pet isnt completely off the table, providing you choose wisely. 20 Things You Didnt Know about the Pyredoodle, Sick, Swollen Stray Dog Faints in Front of a Convenience Store, Dogs Learn How to Sniff Out Cherry Disease, Stabbed Pit Bull Puppy Adopted By Man Who Saved Her Life, Stray Puppy With Crooked Leg Rescued and Is Now Thriving, The 20 Most Popular Big Fluffy Dog Breeds, Pit Bull Tucks Herself Near Porch Hoping To Get A Meal But Then This Happened, Geneticists Explain Why Dogs are So Friendly To Humans, The Common Ingredient that Can Kill Your Dog in an Hour. The Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) have all given the Pyredoodle membership. If youre convinced a Pyredoodle is the pet for you but cant quite stretch to the price tag, adoption could be a very viable option. New pups should be introduced to as many different people (both adults and children) in a wide variety of social situations as early as possible. They also get along pretty well with other pets although they can be a little wary of new faces at first, introduce them in a calm, patient way and theyll soon be getting on famously. Little wonder then, that their offspring cuts such an impressive figure. The Great Pyrenees are big, strong dogs that can grow to around 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 100 pounds. Although sizes can vary, most Pyredoodles measure between 22-32 inches at the shoulder and tip the scales at between 85 and 100 pounds. Their long snouts, meanwhile, are topped with a black nose and their eyes are typically either the darkest shade of brown or a lighter hazel. Providing your children know how to treat a dog with respect, youll find the breed an excellent family pet. Considering the Great Pyrenees were used as guard dogs by the French nobility for years, it comes as little surprise to learn their offspring make similarly great watchdogs. As petguide.com notes, designer cross-breeds are usually bred in such a way as to bypass any of the health concerns that plague either side of the family tree. The amount of grooming required depends to a large extent on the type of coat theyve been blessed with. While most of us know the Poodle/ Great Pyrenees mix by their most common name of Pyredoodle, they also go by the name Pyrepoo, Pyreneespoo, and Pyreneesedoodle. But the breed began to be formally developed at around the turn of the 21st Century when breeders (mainly in North America) decided the hypoallergenic, sweet-natured love child of the Poodle and Great Pyrenees would make a perfect addition to the growing number of designer purebreds that were just starting to gain a foothold. The Pyredoodle might be very intelligent, but theyre by no means the easiest breed to train. As their imposing bulk suggests, the Pyredoodle needs plenty of exercise to keep them trim and healthy. Blessed with a stubborn, independent streak, theyd far rather be left to figure things out on their own than take direction. If you prefer feeding them dry food to wet, look for options that come with large kibble pieces designed for big breeds it can stop the gobbling that leads to over-consumption and bloat. Henry's been writing pet content for over 10 years and will continue to do so as long as dogs and cats are with us! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But its not all bad news for the breed. Find out the answers as we take a look at 20 things you didnt know about the Pyredoodle. Eventually, the breed ventured further afield, and today, these clever, playful creatures are one of the worlds most popular pets. Their big stature can look imposing, but the Pyredoodle is the very definition of a gentle giant. And why are they so very, very big? Protective, loyal, and unfailingly gentle, theyre great around kids. You guessed it a Pyredoodle. If you like choice, youre going to love the Pyredoodle. Large dogs tend to have shorter life spans than smaller ones, and in this, the 100lb Pyredoodle is no exception. A double-coated Pyredoodle needs a little more maintenance and will need a daily brush to keep their coats in good condition. But theres an alternative. A Pyredoodle bought from a dealer can be expensive. Pyredoodles are big by nature, but with too much food and too little exercise, big can quickly become obese. Today, the breeds loyalty and gentleness make them a universally popular family pet. It is, however, worth noting that most animal experts recommend the breed is left to people with experience with dogs newbies might find their belligerent streak a little hard to handle. Or even three? From their Poodle side, this includes hypothyroidism (inadequate levels of thyroid hormone), Addisons Disease, Atrial Septal Defects, Bloat, Chronic Active Hepatitis, Cushings Disease, Epilepsy, Hip Dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Neonatal Encephalopathy (NEwS), Patellar Luxation, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, and Sebaceous Adenitis. What do you get when you cross a Standard Poodle and a Great Pyrenees? Bred to retrieve waterfowl (their tight, curly hair is waterproof for a reason), they were working dogs for many years. But just be aware that while they might seem happy never to leave the couch, they do need plenty of exercise if you cant let them loose in a yard and theres not enough space in the house for them to roam around in, be extra vigilant about ensuring they get their daily walks. With their friendly, sociable personalities and cute-as-a-button good looks, they make great family pets. Getting them to interact with people as pups will help them overcome any natural inclination towards shyness. The standard Poodle is slightly smaller in girth, but no less striking in height. Believed to have originated in Asia Minor around 8-11 thousand years ago, theyre an ancient breed that rose to distinction when they were promoted to the status of royal dog of France. As dogtime.com notes, Pyredoodles tend to fare best in houses that have a fenced-in backyard. Like the Poodle, the Pyredoodle is naturally hypoallergenic, meaning they wont set your sinuses on fire no matter how much time you spend with them. As wagwalking.com notes, Pyredoodles with single coats tend to shed very little, so require little more than a weekly brush to keep them looking pristine. As dogtime.com notes, theres some suggestion that the Pyredoodle may have existed naturally over the years, happening by chance after certain amorous Great Pyrenees made eyes at coquettish Poodles. As dogbreedplus.com writes, it was in France that the Poodle was divided into three branches: the standard continued to be used by hunters, the miniature was used to root out truffles, and the toy became the lapdog de jour of the aristocracy. If you long for a pet but dread the thought of constant grooming, the low maintenance Pyredoodle could be the answer to your prayers but only if you choose your pup wisely. Puppies should be kept well away from the stairs until theyre at least 8 months old (if they do need to climb between stories, be prepared to carry them), while any over-vigorous activities that involve lots of running and jumping should be similarly avoided. But that doesnt mean theyre off-limits if you live in an apartment. If youre not quite sure when its needed, listen out as they walk across a tiled surface if you hear their claws clicking against the floor, its time to get the clippers out). Eventually, they made their way to France, where they quickly became popular for their good looks and personable natures. Regardless of how much brushing their coat needs, other grooming requirements include twice-weekly teeth brushing and bi-weekly claw trimming (if they regularly walk on the kind of hard, rugged surface thatll naturally file their claws down, this can be reduced to every 3 weeks. Why have one name when you can have two? But what exactly are they? Despite starting life as a designer breed, theyve since become increasingly common, with the result that quite a few have now started turning up in dog shelters and rescue groups. Pyredoodles have inherited the gentle, loyal nature of the Great Pyrenees and the happy, playful personality of the Poodle but somewhere along the line, a natural wariness of people has crept into the mix. Available in shades of gray, white, apricot, cream, and black (and sometimes a mix of them all), theyre nothing if not varied. Learn how your comment data is processed. Large breeds like the Pyredoodle are prone to developing joint and mobility issues as they age, something that can be exasperated if their joints and bones are put under unnecessary stress when theyre young. Although Pyredoodles are widely considered a healthy and robust breed, its worth being aware of the conditions they might have inadvertently inherited. Some Pyredoodles have a single layer, short, dense coat, while others have a long, thick, double coat. As one of the latest in the ever-growing line up of designer crossbreeds, the Pyredoodle is becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. Moderately active by nature, they benefit from at least an hour of brisk walking per day (although this can be split over a couple of shorter walks if you prefer), while theyll love you for life if you manage to fit in a few games of frisbee at the park as well. Unlike some dogs that come in just the one shade, the Pyredoodles coat covers a much bigger spectrum of the rainbow. Like the Poodle, the Great Pyrenees was originally bred as a working dog rather than a family pet although whereas the Poodle was tasked with retrieving waterfowl for hunters, the Great Pyrenees was expected to guard sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains. Their floppy ears also warrant regular checkups inspect them weekly and wipe with a damp cloth to avoid any wax build-up and infections. The breed is naturally amenable; providing they have a spot to call their own, theyll settle into most living situations without kicking up a fuss. As 101dogbreeds.com notes, early socialization is therefore a must for anyone who wants a dog that doesnt freak out at the sight of a stranger. Considering how exclusive the American Kennel Club is and how they have a history of extending official recognition only to purebreds, its probably little surprise to learn theyve decided against opening their arms to the Pyredoodle. But with perseverance and patience, most owners will eventually manage to install a little discipline. Avoid free feeding them and keep away from cheap kibble that comes packed with fillers and carbs it wont sate their appetites in the way high quality, high protein options will, leaving them in danger of overfeeding. With their large, imposing stature and loyal, protective natures, theyll make short work of any would-be burglars. Naturally wary around strangers (at least at first), theyll also alert you with their barks if anyone sets foot on your property without your knowledge. Although many people associate the breed with France, the first Poodles actually originated in Germany. Although all dogs are unique, and there can sometimes be as many exceptions to a rule as there are abiders of it, the typical Pyredoodle can expect to live between 10 to 12 years. Pyredoodles are one-half Poodle, a popular family pet with a long history. That said, certain conditions manage to escape the breeders notice and live on in the gene pool. As there is a great deal of variation within the breed, speak to your vet about the optimal calorie and food requirements of your own pooch. If that wasnt enough, they might also be at risk of entropion, osteosarcoma, Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), skin problems, cataract, chondrodysplasia, panosteitis, canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and patellar luxation from their Great Pyrenees side.