Origins and Standard

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Jake

Growing Up

Jake's Pedigree

Ricaud

For centuries, perhaps millennia, the Pyrenean Shepherd has been the constant companion of itinerant shepherds engaged in transhumance herding of sheep and goats in what is now known as Southern France and Northern Spain. Although the breed was known to the French naturalist Buffon in the 18th century, the breed was not officially recognized in France until 1926 when Bernard Senac-Lagrange and the RACP (parent club) succeeded in gaining full recognition, due in part to the little dog's renown as a courier, and search & rescue dog in WWI. Since the 1960s, the breed has grown in popularity and is now among the 20 most popular breeds in France. In the early 20th century, unregistered Pyrenean sheepdogs of the Smooth-Faced variety formed part of the foundation for the Australian Shepherd breed. The first serious attempt at breeding in the USA commenced in the 1970s when Linda Weisser of Washington state imported a breeding pair from the famous Estaube bloodline in France.

The Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America was chartered in 1987. A major influence on the breed in North America has been Patricia Princehouse of La Brise kennels. In Canada, where the breed received full recognition in 1992, Susan Buttivant's Chaparral kennel has been highly influential. AKC plans to allow Pyrenean Shepherds to compete in Agility, Obedience and Tracking beginning in 2001.

The origins of the Pyrenean Shepherd are lost in the mists of time. It appears the breed has been present in the Pyrenees Mountains of what is now Southern France since at least the Bronze Age.

The Pyrenean Shepherd excels at all performance events, especially agility, fly ball, obedience, tracking, and herding. He is dominated by his love for his work. In his traditional role as a herding dog, he is not merely a header or a drover. Such a division of labor is unknown to him. He is a versatile herder to his very soul and has the intelligent initiative to adapt to all manner of changing circumstances. Letting him watch an older dog at work best brings out his natural herding instinct. In all matters of training, he requires firm, consistently enforced ground rules.

Standard

General appearance Energetic, small sheepdog. Medium or long coated with windswept appearance. Alert, lean and racy outline. Mischievous, inquiring.

Characteristics Highly intelligent, strong herding instinct. Tremendous energy and stamina for size.

Temperament Alert, lively, wary of strangers.

Head and Skull Head almost triangular when viewed from above, length of skull equal to its widest point, flat on top with central furrow, showing slight occipit, side of skull slightly rounded. Muzzle slightly shorter in length than skull; tapering evenly to nose with no apparent stop; well filled below eyes. Top lines of nose and skull parallel. Nostrils well open. Well pigmented on nose, lips and in roof of mouth.

Eyes Expressive, almond, wide open, not bulging nor sunken. Dark brown, but one or both may be blue or flecked with blue in merle or slate coloured animals. Eye rims black. Never obscured by head coat.

Ears Fairly short, moderately wide at base, placed on top of head but neither too close nor wide apart. Bottom part of ear erect and mobile, with top ideally hanging forward or to the side when alert, but laid back in repose.

Mouth Strong teeth, scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws.

Neck Rather long, muscular, and set well into shoulder.

Forequarters Forelegs lean, sinewy and straight when seen from front, with single dewclaws. From side, pasterns slope gently and are flexible. Shoulder fairly long and well angulated, with upper arm joining shoulder blade at right angles. Withers prominently visible.

Body Lean, strong. Ribs slightly rounded and extending well back. Brisket reaching to elbow. Loins strong and slightly arched.

Hindquarters Short, sloping croup; fairly low set tail. Strong, well muscled thigh, second thigh well developed and long. Well angulated stifle. Hocks lean, low set and well angulated. Single or double dewclaws on rear.

Feet Lean, rather flat, oval shape. Dark pads and nails, well furred between pads.

Gait / Movement Walks with fairly short strides, trots freely with vigour. Smooth gait, feet never raised very high. Head carried high with slow action, tending to drop with faster action. Good angulations ensure effortless gait. Pacing should not be penalized.

Tail Set low, not too long, reaching to hock joint with upward hook at end. Well covered with hair. Never carried higher than top line. May be docked. Sometimes born with short or stump tail.

Coat Long or semi-long. Fairly harsh; dense, almost flat or slightly wavy; denser and more woolly on rump and thighs. Hair on muzzle short. Longer on face and cheeks, where it grows away from the nose and eyes.

Semi-long coats Short hair with fringing on forelegs and short hair below hocks.

Long coats Long hair on legs to cover toes.

Colour Various shades of fawn, with or without black hairs, there may be a little white on chest and feet. Light to dark grey, often with white on head, chest and legs. Blue merle, slate blue or brindle. Black or black and white. Unmixed colours preferred. Large areas of white, predominance of white, or black and tan undesirable.

Size Height, Dogs: 40 - 48 cms ( 16 - 19 ins ). Bitches 38 - 46 cms ( 15 - 18 ins ).

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.