Pyrenean Mastiff is a livestock guardian breed with a towering size, but don’t let their imposing appearance fool you

This year’s Crufts showcases more than 200 dog breeds at the NEC in Birmingham. Organised by The Kennel Club, the event is not only about dog shows and agility contests, but it also provides an educational platform for visitors to learn about different breeds.

A standout breed catching attention is the Pyrenean Mastiff, a rare and striking livestock guardian whose stature, standing 71–81 cm tall, commands attention yet radiates friendliness. “They’re livestock guardians, so they are protective, but they’re very, very stable in the way that they do it,” says Shane, who brought his Pyrenean Mastiffs, Oxo and Missouri, to Crufts.

“There’s no tendency to aggression when they do defend, it’s about protecting.”

The Pyrenean Mastiff has its origins between Aragon and Navarra in Spain, according to The Kennel Club, belonging to the Molosser family, it has traditionally served as a protector of herds against predators like wolves and bears.

Despite its beautiful appearance and tranquil nature, this breed is incredibly rare. “There’s only 17 of them in the UK, we own nine of them, and the other eight were literally bred two years ago,” Shane told the Express.

However, any dog enthusiast would be fortunate to have one. The Pyrenean Mastiff, despite being a working breed, has a laid-back temperament that would fit a variety of lifestyles.

“Once they stretch, move away, then they’re not interested in chasing down,” Shane says. Unlike other livestock guardian breeds prone to aggression, Pyrenean Mastiffs remain “cool, calm, and collected”.

“They have a really, really low metabolism, so they don’t require a lot of exercise. They spend most of their time just lying around and resting.”

The handler adds: “But they’re obviously huge dogs. The feeding for their size isn’t much, but obviously it’s still substantial.”

A Pyrenean Mastiff can weigh between 54 and 100 kilograms. Males can tip the scales at up to 86 kilograms, while females typically weigh around 59 kilograms.

Those considering adopting a Pyrenean should be ready to provide expensive meals. Depending on their age, Shane feeds each of his dogs approximately 1.5 kilograms of raw food, primarily meat.

Shane, an advocate for Pyrenean Mastiffs, suggests even first-time dog owners could consider the breed, given they’re prepared to understand and implement boundaries. “It depends on the people, so, as long as people understand (that) this is the same funny dog [that needs] boundaries,” Shane says.

He affirms that these dogs aren’t difficult but emphasizes the need for clear limits. “They don’t push boundaries, they’re not difficult. But it’s not just (with) these, it’s with any dogs, you need to set your boundaries, and if you’re not willing to put in boundaries, then it becomes difficult.”

Shane also warns about the physical strength of the breed: “If you’ve never taught to walk on a lead properly, when 100 kilo dog’s trying to pull you around, it will pull you around. It’s important that they understand.”

In addition to their manageable nature, Pyrenean Mastiffs are durable and require little upkeep, boasting a lifespan of up to 12 years when well-cared-for.

They fit well into family settings, as Shane, who has six children, attests: “They’re family oriented, we’ve got six kids,” he says. Their protective instincts make them especially suitable for households with little ones.

“They’re slightly protective nature, they’re really, really good around young children.”

Shane reveals their particular fondness for kids, noting, “They’ve got quite an affinity for them. So even when our kids are playing on the floor, they’ll scooch over and sort of want to play as well.”