The Pyr Blogger
January 16, 2008
On Christmas Eve I asked that you do some little thing to help our Patou's. Luke Robinson is doing a not so little thing to help Patou out and maybe us all. You must go to his web site and find out for yourselves.
http://www.2dogs2000miles.org/Home_Page.html
Luke Robinson, hard at work on behalf of our dogs, makes your heart feel better and you know the love of God is in him. Spread the word, you will be glad you did.
Lord love ya
December 30, 2007
My New Year's resolution for 2008? To follow the principals of Shepherd's Colony in my breeding program going forward. Shepherd's Colony is a program of breeding established to use only specific breeding stock that has passed and reported a broad range of genetic areas in its genotype For example, reporting hip studies would be one prime area of interest of a dog or bitch used in a breeder's Shepherd's Colony breeding. Contemporary breeders are equivalent to modern day shepherds. Those dogs and bitches used in our breeding program are our colony set up to identify and compile information used by breeders to help make better, more informed breeding decisions via use of objective scientifically relevant data.
For more information about this program refer to left side bar for that area or follow the link above. Since the program is just beginning, it may evolve over time as it is utilized, but the lofty goals are development of broad information that is in step with AKC, OFA, and CHIC and utilizes the resources already established by these great organizations.
Happy New Year to you all. Be safe and look after our dogs in 2008. I look forward to 2008. Lord Love Ya.
December 25, 2007
Christmas 2007 in Bethlehem
December 24, 2007
May you all be blessed on this, the eve of the day we Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah baby born in the little village of Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. This is certainly a long time, but in all probability our dogs (Great Pyrenees) had already been in the Pyrenees Mountains for three thousand years when the baby Messiah was born in Bethlehem. The ancestors of our dogs had been guarding the flocks nearby to Bethlehem in the region of the fertile crescent for as many as nine thousand years prior to the birth of the savior child. Adam and Eve's son, Able, was a shepherd. It is likely that he employed those ancestors of our dogs to keep his flock safe.
All of us here wish you each and every one great blessings this holiday season, no matter what you celebrate or observe. May 2008 bring you success and happiness. While about your life, please do something to make the lives of our Patous and Pastoures better. Some little something that will make sure we enjoy these wonderful dogs, as they came to us, for another 5 thousand years.
Joe, Maryann, Gaelen, Graeme, and Gillianne
December 18, 2007
Gosh, its hard to believe its been a full year since I said anything here. I have been pretty busy over the past year, but certainly I could have added something to this meager offering about our wonderful dogs. Our dogs that have served mankind so faithfully and completely over these many millennia. I had such a great response to my A Christmas Story last year that I was inspired and called to write more. It is now a book being edited and looking for a publisher. Still many miles to go though, but I am being led to pursue this now, so I know it's right.
My Christmas present to you all this year is an illustrated version of last years A Christmas Story. My special boy here Nicholas continues to slowly mature and is a wonderful Pyr not only in his body but in his head, but aren't they all? Nicholas is my template for "Roi", my hero in A Christmas Story and now the book Roi, A Christmas Story.
Merry Christmas to you all. May you be blessed this next year as I have been blessed this past year. Love our dogs and keep watch over them as they do you.
December 13, 2006
National Geographic Channel Special about dogs
Recently National Geographic Channel did a program titled "In the Womb, Animals". They did 4D sonograms on the dog, dolphin, and elephant. FYI this program is being repeated on Christmas day and several times the next day. I think most dog lovers would really enjoy the program.
The program started out making the statement that I have made now for couple years, in a little different way but essentially with the same relevance. Understand that National Geographic has a purely secular viewpoint. It likely believes and takes the position that all animals are the result of evolution without any involvement of a creator. That is not important to this discussion.
I will try to paraphrase what they said in the beginning of their program:
"Dogs are one of, if not the most important animal species to mankind. Without dogs, mankind would not have evolved in the manner it did."
I have felt and said for years that the Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD) are responsible for mankind moving from the fertile crescent in Asia Minor to the rest of the world. Without the LGD, mans migration with its domestic animals would not have occurred or would have likely occurred much differently. National Geographic’s point may be, that without dogs association with man this might have resulted in some different changes in mankind. National Geographic takes the position that dogs are descended from the European Grey Wolf. This is a theoretical model that is not worth quibbling about as it fits well enough.
What we do know is that our Great Pyrenees are part of that chain of early (maybe the earliest) example of dogs working with man. This association goes back as beyond any records are available and are established via archaeological evidence. We even know from the bible that Able, son of Adam and Eve, was a Shepherd. Be assured he had LGD’s to protect his sheep and livestock. So even the secular history contained in the bible would support this notion completely. I find no problem with National Geographic characterization here. What a great program they present. The information about dogs is so very good and the elephant and dolphin is fascinating. Try to catch it if you can, you will not be disappointed.
Merry Christmas to everyone. Here is my Christmas present to you all:
Luke 2: 8-12 (NLT)
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
November 9, 2006
Happy Birthday
Tip'N Chip Mustang Sally
Two years old today
Great Pyrenees Breeders Guarantee on Puppies?
It is getting close to Christmas and some breeders are advertising Christmas Puppies. There is a lot to be said about choosing a puppy anytime, but this just deals with how a breeder guarantees their puppies.
Pretty simple, all puppies should be guaranteed for the life of the puppy against genetic problems. They should be guaranteed to be healthy at the time they are sold also.
I just noticed that a breeder advertising Christmas Puppies offers a "two year" guarantee. This breeder had previously been offering a lifetime guarantee. People who do not want to be responsible for their puppies but for just a limited time, should not be breeding. More importantly, you the buyer should expect more and should be very worried about someone who cannot follow and stand behind their puppies but just a short period of time. OFA will not even certify hips until two years. Many genetic problems do not show up until later and some problems present all along that go unnoticed are only evident later in life.
This practice should be one of your first huge red flags as you wade through the ton of information available to you on the web. Be careful, this is Buyer Beware to the maximum. Once you place your love into a cute Pyr Puppy you are stuck emotionally and certainly financially. Puppies sometimes need replacing under the best of circumstances. Your breeder is you safety net. You should get at least 5 to 10 references from any breeder anyway for people who have bought their puppies. Buyers who will let you know how it went with their puppies they got from these folks.
November 8, 2006
Things we should look for in a breeding Great Pyrenees
I was just asked to write an answer to the question of "Three things to look for in a Stud dog" for the Bulletin of the Great Pyrenees Club of America. What follows is my answer. It occurred to me this same answer applies to anyone of you who breed or want to breed this ancient unique breed.
The question is three things to consider in picking a stud dog.
1. Genetic health (Genotype)
2. Phenotypical specimen (Phenotype)
3. Breeder selection
Each of the above three one could write pages of information, but lets try to summarize what is important to the breed and a breeding program.
1. Genetic health, what we would classify as Genotype, is in the long run the most important for the welfare of a breed. It is also the hardest to understand and even harder to get good information that is reliable. I have a pedigree data base of fourteen thousand Pyrs. Every Pyr that has attained an AKC Championship and all its known ancestors are in the data base. I can give you Homozygous Percentages, Percentages of Inbreeding and Kinship, and number of times occurring in any pedigree or proposed pedigree (future breeding). What I cannot tell you is what recessive detrimental or other detrimental genes exist in the pedigree without "tagging" the individuals affected. Unless one knows this information, one cannot forecast the Genetic Health of the offspring. What one thinks they know and what is fact many times (most times) is quite different. Once upon a time in this breed there was a breeder and kennel that was guided by a genius on such things that came fairly close to have a breeding colony that was nearly free of genetic disorders. Note I said "nearly free". This same breeding colony also produced the top winning dogs and bitches of their time. I submit to you that the best phenotypical examples of the breed are still steeped in this genepool. But this genepool is now badly infected with a myriad of detrimental genes, both recessive and other. So while this genepool still produces outstanding examples of the breed phenotypically it is rife, as are most if not all the rest, with detrimental genes for many things such as Dwarfism, Luxating Patellas, epilepsy, and many other problems.
In choosing a stud dog it is important to choose one who will contribute no or less problems genetically to the future genepool. Everything we say for Stud dogs will also apply to Brood bitches. The obvious difference is how many more times the stud dog can contribute to the breed genepool than the brood bitch. So for this reason it is much more important to choose a stud dog that does not send the genetic problems to the next generation. Easy said, near impossible to achieve totally from our present genepool. That’s where we start "splitting the baby". You breeders need to take your responsibility very seriously and work hard to eliminate the genetic problems in your breeding stock and that is most true when you select your stud dogs.
2. Phenotypical Specimen (Phenotype) is the style or type dog you believe meets the standard of the breed. I personally believe the stud dog is a bit less important in this regard than the brood bitch in a single breeding. This is not supported by science, but I am not by myself in this regard. Many of us feel that because the brood bitch carries and nurtures the get, she has a bit more influence on its result. Some say 60/40 or 55/45 brood bitch to stud dog in its importance. Again because the stud dog produces many more get, it magnifies his importance on the universe of get in the breed and thus the "the popular stud dog syndrome" described by many. In my opinion I would look for structure and soundness i.e. movement, construction, etc. as the first priority. One should not neglect at all the "look" of the dog though. Heavy loose eyed, sloppy mouths with short legs that are heavily boned simply is not what this breed is about. I tell folks the breed should look much more like a Kuvasz than a St. Bernard and that goes for your stud dog. The most important part of structure in todays genepool is fronts, followed by length of leg, top lines and rear assemblies in that order. So if I could order a stud dog with great front, good length of leg, level top line, and a nice moderate angulated rear that matches the front angulation and it is reasonably nice in type, he would be my stud dog. You can use him with a lot of bitches (not that a "lot" is a goal, but he should not be excluded by his structure from many potential matings) and hopefully get those qualities in the next generation. The single worst thing in a stud dog is poor fronts as it is near impossible to defeat with one breeding and then you are into several generations trying to correct this problem with the stud dog. Find another stud dog!
3. Breeder selection may be the most important part of these three things given reasonable decisions made in the two above. How is it that Champion Tip’n Chip Sonny’s Reflection, Champion Whitehope Pneuma, Champion Dieudonne Impyrial Acclaim, Champion Rivergroves For Your Eyes Only, and Champion Kaskadians Idyll Gossip all have the same ancestor as the top or near top contributing ancestor genetically (Lorvaso de la Colina). This primary stud dog at Quibbletown is the essence of what we should look for in a stud dog. Breeder selection proves his worth. I can promise you that none of the breeders of the dogs identified above would have know this particular dog was such an important contributor to their breeding when they choose their stud dog. What they did know is they picked the best puppies to keep and use in their breeding program and it all happened, not by chance, but by the discriminating eye of the breeder/owner. Good breeders choosing good breeding stock and most importantly making good breeder selections insures good future generations. The opposite is certainly true. How many of us have said years later, "Man I wish I had that dog/bitch back to use now. I would do it much differently." I sure have and I suspect many of the rest of you have as well.
There are many stud dogs, but few good stud dogs and very few great stud dogs. Good produces good and great produces great. The trick is to first recognize what is what and then choose that dog to use or employ as your stud dog. Good luck!
July 10, 2006
Gods Special Creature
Gods Special Grace
For Fathers day this year I gave myself Ruth Graham's new book A Legacy of Faith; Things I Learned from My Father. What a wonderful, very candid book from the eyes of one who grew up with one of our greatest spiritual leaders and in a family that is very special in many respects. Many wonderful examples to study and follow in this book. The statement that impressed me the greatest were words from Billy Graham to Ruth Graham at a very low point in her life. A point when she was embarrassed and ashamed of the recent events in her life. The words from a loving father to his struggling daughter were " We all live under Grace and do the best we can". In Christian theology, Grace is described as the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God; "God's grace is manifested in the salvation of sinners"; "there but for the grace of God go I". Ironically in her book there is a picture of a dog, not identified in the book, but clearly a Great Pyrenees. I have produced it here with Ruth Graham's permission.
Ruth Graham as a little girl, running to meet her father,
Billy Graham, followed closely by Belshazzer.
I emailed her and asked about the picture from her book. Ms Graham was quick and gracious in her reply: "Yes, indeed, he was our beloved Great Pyrenees, "Belshazzer". He died of cancer when I was about 11. It broke our hearts and we have never had such a beloved dog since."
Would God grace the lives of one of his special servants with one of his special creatures?
As I have studied the breed over the past 10 years, especially while doing the research on my book, I was impressed time after time how the breed was aided and literally saved many times by people. People who in some cases gave all they had to give in life for the benefit of this breed. Some of the most notable being during and just after World War I and World War II. It has become apparent to me that this is God's involvement in our lives and his granting Grace into our lives for the benefit of one of his special creatures. We see it today in people like Sandy White in Houston, Texas who rescued many Pyrs left by the aftermath of Katrina and Rita Hurricanes. Sandy is a special person who has worked many years on behalf of Patou. She takes no donations and does all the work herself. She was recently cited by her city (she was newly annexed into he city) for having over 30 Pyrs on her property. Many of these were from Katrina and Rita that she was working to restore their health. There are those who would like to accuse her of abuse (the city saw no abuse at all), but it is clear to me she was following her heart and was an instrument of God on behalf of one of his special creatures. Sandy is just the latest edition, among many, who are inspired to look after our special dogs. She deserves our support and praise for her diligence and compassion. She enjoys special company with the pyrenean shepherds in the mountains and historical fanciers such as Monsieur Dretzen, a newspaper publisher in Paris in the 1920's and 1930's and Monsieur Senac-Lagrange, arguably the greatest breed expert in the history of the breed from 1920's through 1950's in the Pyrenees Mountains.
In my attempt to understand this better, I go back to my history. What I write now is not agreed upon by all, but is agreed upon by many. When early man domesticated sheep in Asia Minor, in an area we now know as northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and eastern Turkey (loosely referred to by some as Kurdistan) they needed a guardian for themselves and their stock. This area encompasses the region we know as ancient Mesopotamia. This all began about 8000 year BC. Some nomadic people moved in all directions and literally spread domestic animals (sheep and goats primarily initially) to the world. There is archeological evidence of bones of dogs and sheep and goats that let us trace the migration. We know that they arrived in the area of the Pyrenees Mountains about 3000 BC. This 5000 year migration was likely accompanied by large dogs capable of defending the livestock and humans during this initially prehistoric time period. These great dogs (they needed to be large enough to fight off large predators) , included a mostly white mountain dog type that was left in almost every mountain range from Asia Minor to the Pyrenees Mountains as this great migration slowly creped in all directions. Each developed its slightly unique characteristics over the many millenniums since, but as a group are unmistakable in phenotype and function. We know that many of the dogs that resulted from this great migration have not survived. A few have and that includes the Kuvasz, the Akbash Dog, and the Great Pyrenees. There are others but these are the best know to us today. Once in the Pyrenees Mountains the breed existed in virtual isolation for the next 5000 years. Many peoples invaded and traded through the Pyrenees Mountains, but mostly they did not take over or influence the interior mountains themselves, keeping mostly to the travel byways naturally available by the topography. We know our lovely breed developed its unique characteristics there as the peasants dog working with the shepherds during the spring, summer, and early fall and guarding the humble dwellings and settlements during the rest of the year. It's this close association with mankind at a meager subsistence level and at a survival level that contributed to our breeds special characteristics. All this is Gods great plan. There is no doubt in my mind that our ancient Great Pyrenees is one of God's proudest accomplishments. Not only is it extraordinarily beautiful, it has very special character and breed properties that are unique to the world. The most humble dog being among the crown of achievement of so many great achievements.
Why have some breeds survived and others not? No answer really that is anything other than pure speculation can be offered. I know this breed inspires many of us to safeguard it and look after it. I think this inspiration is inspired by God and to some of us it is our mission and duty. I see this same behavior for as far back as written history is offered and available to us relative our "Patou"(1). I have no reason to believe it did not exist prior to recorded history. Not only has our breed survived, it is now world wide and thriving in many settings. We see Patou working with disabled children, mentally ill, old and infirmed people in addition to its many tasks as a guardian. It is also a fine draft animal and the list goes on and on. Wherever mankind is involved, if allowed, Patou will take his place, loving and protecting us and doing whatever else is required to maintain his special relationship with us all. Patou has a very revered connection with humankind, but maybe a more exceptional connection with all the other animals around him that he innately assumes responsibility for as his charges, to nurture and protect. Patou will mold himself into our lifestyle and the specific needs at hand. Patou can work in a group and can be left alone for long periods of time with great success. Remarkable qualities from such an ancient animal. Patou can become fouled up with some urban situations such as neighborhoods, noise sensitive areas, etc, but on the main it is fascinating to see how well Patou does, molding and adapting himself to each situation. Patou can be stubborn and willful, but Patou always loves unconditionally, communicates with, and protects those around him.
It is by the Grace of God that we have Patou and its the Grace of Patou that supports, protects, and nurtures many in our contemporary world. It is Grace that inspires so many of us to give so much on behalf of Patou. May God grant us the continued health and resources to continue to look after his special creature.
(1) The generic name given to the Great Pyrenees by the shepherds in the Pyrenees Mountains.
May 25, 2006
Patou the Therapist
Patou the Healer
One of the things I am just beginning to come to grips with is, in Gods plan, he created each species for specific purposes in his great kingdom. I’ll not even begin to guess what the hierarchy of this kingdom is, but our Bibles teach us that mankind was created in his image. The assumption by many is therefore that mankind is superior in the hierarchy Then all other creatures created by God are beneath us? Is service to mankind and the other animals in Gods kingdom a mark of being inferior? Is superiority marked by a mind capable to doing abstract thinking and planning, plus the natural tendency to control and master all around it, including all of Gods creatures? Does the use by Mankind of these creatures in service to the maintenance and furtherance of the goals and wishes of Mankind denote some superior position? Lets stop here as this is not intended to be a treatise on Mankind’s position in the creature world created by God.
What I can tell you for sure is every creature has its place and has its unique qualities and capabilities, all God given, that make its own contribution to the balance and harmony that is possible in the world God created. One of the many unique characteristics of our Great Pyrenees dog known loving as Patou is an intimate and intense awareness of the nature and degree of the mental and emotional state of those humans it comes into contact. Maybe this innate awareness also extends to all other creatures it comes into contact. I am not intuitive enough to know this, but I would not be surprised, as Patou seems to know everything that goes on around him. This is part of the reason that the dog gained the reputation of being able to determine the intentions of strangers it would meet on the roadways of medieval France. In short they were greatly prized for their ability to distinguish those normal travelers one would pass on the roads from the robbers and thieves in abundance also on the roads. There are many variances to this theme. One of the cutest is the family whose daughter reached the age of dating. All young male suitors had to meet the family Patou and be approved by him prior to being able to take the daughter on a date. Some of these traits are shared by many dogs, but it is fairly well accepted that Patou is extraordinary in these areas.
This awareness, awareness that we humans have very little, extends to the awareness that Patou has of people who are suffering emotional or mental infirmity. Patou knows when this is going on, even with strangers. Patou has gained a reputation as being an extraordinary Therapy Dog and is prized and praised as a therapeutic agent in old age homes, children’s hospitals, and in psychiatric settings. There is something very therapeutic about even Patou’s presence. We know that touching our dog, any dog, can lower our blood pressure and decrease our heart rates. There are many reports that the presence of Patou and other dogs as well, help some unable to communicate to seemingly make some mental and sensory connection not made preciously. What is going on? I think a level of mental and sensory communication not known or appreciated mostly by us humans. There are those, myself included, that believe our dogs "speak" to us silently and in unknown ways. This is getting a bit out there logically, but living closely with dogs and Great Pyrenees specifically, one is able to develop a level of awareness and communication that is not verbal. It is likely visual through body language, etc., and some unknown level of psychic communication. I am getting a little off subject here, but an interesting example is recently one of my sons while visiting Nicole Sharpe in New York, suffered a seizure very unexpectedly near his truck just outside the kennel building housing Nicole’s Great Pyrenees. The report is that as soon as he went down with the effects of the seizure, the dogs (maybe 25 of them) went absolutely quite. They remained quite completely while the ambulance came, examined him, and loaded him for transport to the Hospital. All this had to take 30 or more minutes. When the ambulance left with him for the hospital, the report was all hell broke loose with their barking. Somehow they understood and were quite when appropriate.
Last year my lovely wife Maryann was diagnosed with Primary Peritoneal Cancer. During those times when the spirit was fatigued and very tired, my Patou’s always knew when I needed their extra love and were very eager to offer same. There is no doubt in my mind that they offered constant therapeutic support. I can always take my troubles to my dogs and come away, almost instantly, with a uplifted spirit and psyche.
I have come to realize that they are God’s special creatures. So much different than us humans and more capable in so many areas that we are either deficient or defunct. Their sensory awareness and intuitive powers are remarkable. People laugh that Patou will bark at nothing or silly things like leaves falling. I don’t believe any of this for a moment. What they should say is, "Patou is barking at something I am not aware". I don’t believe our dogs waste this energy. The most remarkable and mysterious area of this sensory awareness is this psychic awareness. I believe one of the reasons this is so strong in our Patou is because these traits have developed so long in the isolation of the peasants Shepard dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains. This period believed to be at least 5000 years and maybe another 6000 years prior as Patou’s ancestors slowly migrated across Asia and Europe to land in the Pyrenees Mountains. There were many Patou that proceeded our special Patou. Some of these still exist today and I suspect these Patou’s are very similar. Still, we are told that our special Patou seems the most human tuned of the lot and are preferred by many. I can not find fault with that position, but would only say I do not know the rest of the group as I know Patou. Patou was a family dog and a shepherd dog essentially at the same time traditionally. They guarded the flock in the high mountain pastures in summer and the humble peasant’s abode at other times. They also are very versatile, working in many settings and surroundings, but always working. Guarding is the most overt thing we see, but they know all that is about them and watch carefully all the nuances and rhythms of the world they inhabit. Since they moved frequently with the sheep and likely, even in more modern times, (the last couple thousand years), they would work different groups or shepherd groups in the ancient practice to transhumance, used in France since medieval times, they developed a remarkable degree of versatility. Their sensitivity is remarkable always bringing their superior sensory and intuitive senses to the task and molding themselves and their work to the area and task at hand.
If you are worried or troubled, go take Patou for a walk or just talk and pet Patou. Patou will love it and you will receive therapy and healing from Patou. Patou always gives more than he takes, always.
December 15, 2005
The idea that on very short notice you can find a Great Pyrenees puppy between 8-12 weeks of age available at Christmas is quite naive. If you are looking for one now on this late date, you likely are not going to be a successful Great Pyrenees owner. If you are lucky enough to find one of the right age still available, it probably is a breeding done without much study and preparation. The fact is, all quality puppies are likely sold many months before they are ready to go to anyone. There are a few very rare exceptions. Your changes are about as good as hitting the Big Lotto number.
Buying a puppy, especially a Great Pyrenees, is an important decision for both the owner and the dog. Probably more important to the dog as he or she has no choices. You do!! Like anything else in life, success comes with study and preparation. That's true of the breeder who you will get you puppy from and its true of you as an owner. If you have just decided to get a Pyr and must have it by Christmas, you probably should not buy one at all. You likely will fall into the category of whim purchase and will just as quickly discard it. Most reputable breeders know this and will be very leery of you. You should be prepared to work hard to convince this breeder that you are not like that. Why? If this breeder puts the welfare of his puppies first, this is likely where you want to get you puppy. So do not be insulted by this breeders hard questions. They have been there before and know that the last minute buyer is fraught with problems, mostly for their puppies. Your breeder likely planned this breeding years in advance, incurred much work and expense in getting the stud and brood bitch in a position to produce healthy puppies. Your breeder has already stayed up many hours around the clock with the brood bitch and puppies. So now you breeder wants to make sure these very precious puppies get into good homes.
Again, if a breeder has Christmas puppies, they where likely sold out long before this late date. I would be concerned any other way and would, as a buyer, like to know why a puppy is available this late date?
What should you do now? Don't buy your Christmas puppy. Carefully research and find you a breeder who will guarantee their puppies for the life of the dog. One that screens and publishes the results of that screening for genetic problems. One that has a background with the breed past just owning a couple dogs and having bred a few litters. It is amusing to me to see people buy show quality dogs from people who do not show the dogs. How would they know? This is not a genetic trait, but one we developed with study and years of work and experience.
Once you have found your breeder, get on the waiting list and be prepared to wait however long. Again if you need instant gratification, you are probably not going to make a very good owner. Experienced breeders do not want to waste much time with you. Your Pyr will live and be a very important part of your life for as much as 12 (or more) years. A few months delay is insignificant for such an important decision.
Maybe your goal is to find your breeder by Christmas and put down that deposit to reserve what you want from a future litter. This may give you time to save your money as a good puppy is not cheap. So Merry Christmas to you all and happy hunting for that special Great Pyrenees Puppy.
Hit your back button to return to the prior page
Copyright 2005 by Your Pet Place Inn, Inc. DBA Aneto Great Pyrenees. No image, writing, or work product of this web page and related pages on Toppooch.com can be copied or reproduced in any manner without written permission from Your Pet Place Inn, Inc. "The Pyr Blogger" or "Pyr Blogger" is a product of the above. For more information contact Your Pet Place Inn, Inc, 29 Galilee Church Road, Jefferson, GA 30549-phone 706-367-2399.