Great Pyrenees Characteristics
Life expectancy: 10 – 12 years
Adult weight: 100 – 120 lbs.
Adult height: 85 – 110 in.
Origin – France
You can get confused between a Great Pyrenees and a Pyrenean Mountain dog and that’s okay because they are the same. A livestock guardian breed from France, where it is also called ‘Patau,’ this breed comes from the mountains of Pyrenees and is a close relative of its Spanish counterpart, the Pyrenees Mastiff.
The parent breed of Leonberger, these Pyrenean dogs were once referred to as the ‘Royal Dog of France.’ It was the 1930s when the Pyrenean Mountain dog became the Great Pyrenees and also changed its guarding occupation to that of a show dog.
These are intelligent, independent, and protective dogs. The independent nature can come with a little stubbornness here. They might be used as show dogs, but even today, they are very much capable of guarding large properties.
What is the price of a Great Pyrenees?
This mountain dog can be difficult to find, which usually means the initial buying cost is on the higher side. We will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, grooming, and miscellaneous expenses.
Buying: $1200 – $2200
There are various ways to bring a Great Pyrenees home. You can contact a private breeder, visit a puppy farm, or adopt one from a local rescue shelter. Great Pyrenee's prices can be in the range of $1200-$2000 if you buy one from a reputed breeder. The cost can vary depending on many factors like age, health, gender, and coat color of the pup. Reputable breeders typically take good care of the pup before handing it over. Great Pyrenees puppy prices can be a little higher around $2200, compared to adult ones.
A Pyrenean Mountain dog’s price can be much lower if you opt for adoption. There are several adoption shelters that can help you find a dog to adopt, but finding a Pyrenean at one can be a bit challenging given the rarity of these dogs. There are some specialized groups dedicated to this breed like the National Great Pyrenees Rescue, from where you might find a Great Pyrenees dog for adoption. The cost to adopt a dog, on average, is about $100-$300. Sometimes, the cost can even be waived! Research shelters near you and contact them for more information.
Monthly costs for a Great Pyrenees
Diets: $100-$150
You know what they say: The bigger the size, the bigger the appetite. This holds true for this breed. A Great Pyrenees will require more food compared to smaller breeds like a Pug or a Shih Tzu. The monthly food costs can be in the range of $100-$150, but make sure you don’t compromise on the quality of the food. A couple of bucks saved now can potentially turn into big medical costs later on. One thing to note here is that this dog breed may experience certain gastric problems. It is recommended to get them elevated food bowls and that the daily food requirement is broken down into 2-3 small meals instead of 1 big one.
Grooming: $60-$80
This breed has a thick double coat on the outside with long and flat hair that tends to shed, especially in the shedding season. You can save some money if you groom your dog at home, but you will have to invest your time. Great Pyrenees need proper brushing 2-3 times a week, regular nail trimming, teeth and ear cleaning, and occasional baths. If you decide to groom at home, the cost of shampoo, brushes, dental kit and nail clippers could be around $60-$80. Teeth cleaning from a professional may cost around $250-$350. And professional grooming could cost around $100-$150 per session due to their large size.
Medical Costs: $900-$1200
During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300 and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests, among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.
Like all breeds, the Great Pyrenees are at risk for developing health conditions over their lifetime. The most common health condition for this breed is GDV or gastric dilation volvulus. Some other common health problems this breed may experience include elbow and hip dysplasia and neurological disorders. The treatment costs for these could be:
GDV - $500-$1500 (depending on the urgency) plus, post-surgery care may also be needed
Hip/ Elbow dysplasia - $2000-$3000
Neurological disorders - $1000-$1500 (Alternative therapies can cost more)
One-time costs for a Great Pyrenees
Initial Costs: $500-$600
Big boys need big toys. And this big breed will need big toys, among other big things like big beds, crates, food and water bowls, and even gates to help prevent the dog from falling down stairs, especially young puppies! Setting up the house for their welcome with all the necessary things they may need can cost you around $500-$600.
Microchipping: $50-$70
The average cost of microchipping is around $50, but may vary from state to state. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks. Spot pet insurance highly recommends every pet parent get all their pets microchipped, as it can increase the chances of finding a lost pet.
Vaccinations: $280-$300
There are certain core vaccinations that a Great Pyrenees would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.
There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Great Pyrenees. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.
Miscellaneous $100-$300
Dog walking, boarding, sitting, park passes, etc. are all additional expenses that can come up over the course of your dog’s life. These costs can range from around $100-$300 annually.
Lifetime Great Pyrenees Cost
The Pyrenees dog's annual price can be expected to be around $5000, including the initial cost of buying (lower for adoption). The costs may be lower after the first year at around $2000 per year. If we calculate the lifetime cost with an average life span of 10 years, the Great Pyrenees price range could cost around $25,000-$30,000 over its lifetime.
How can Spot Pet Insurance help?
Spot accident & illness pet insurance plans offer a wide variety of coverages from microchip implantation to surgeries and prescription food and supplements prescribed to treat your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. (Prescription food and supplements used for general health or weight maintenance are not covered). For an extra cost, Spot plans offer preventive care coverage add-ons to help cover the costs of certain routine vaccinations, annual wellness exams and other preventive care treatments. You can view the add-on preventive care coverage options. Get in touch with us to know more!
Conclusion
This intelligent breed from the mountains of Pyrenees can be a beautiful companion but also a big weight to your pockets, as maintaining a dog of this size can come at its own cost. Having pet insurance can surely help here. Spot plans can help cover up to 90% of eligible vet bills for covered conditions so that you can worry less about the costs. So go ahead if you’ve fallen in love with the breed already, take one home!
Happy Parenting to you and Lots of Love to your Pup!
