Pyrenean Shepherd

Pyrenean Shepherd

Smooth-faced Pyrenean Shepherd
Other names	Berger des Pyrénées Pastor de los Pirineos Petit Berger Pyrenees Sheepdog
Common nicknames	Pyr Shep
Origin	France/Spain
Classification / standards FCI Group 1, Section 1 Sheepdogs #141 (Long-haired); 138 (Smooth-faced) standard AKC Herding standard CKC Group 7 (Herding) standard KC (UK) Pastoral standard UKC Herding Dog standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Pyrenean Shepherd (known in France originally, and also in non-AKC registries such as the UKC, as the Berger des Pyrénées, and in Spain as the Pastor de los Pirineos) is a medium-small breed of dog native to the Pyrenees mountains in southern France and northern Spain, bred since at least medieval times for herding livestock, especially sheep. It worked as an active herder together with the Great Pyrenees, another mountain dog, which acted as the flock's guardian.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is the smallest of the French and Spanish herding dogs. The breed comes in two varieties: Rough-faced and smooth-Faced. Rough-faced males are 15 ¹⁄₂ to 18 ¹⁄₂ inches (39 to 47 cm) at the withers, and rough-faced females are 15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm). Smooth-faced males are 15 ¹⁄₂ to 21 inches (39 to 53 cm) at the withers, and smooth-faced females are 15 ¹⁄₂ to 20 ¹⁄₂ inches (39 to 52 cm) inches at the withers. The weight is between 15–32 pounds (7–15 kg), aiming for lithe and muscular, never fat.

The head is of small proportions in comparison to the dog, with a rather flat skull, and a somewhat short, triangular muzzle. The face is expressive and intelligent, with dark eyes, except in the case of merles or slate grey coat colour. Traditionally the dog's ears are cropped. If natural, the Pyrenean Shepherd should have semi-prick or rose ears. Naturally prick ears are not correct for the breed, and may indicate an outcross.

The body is long and lean, and should reflect the natural energetic athleticism of the dog. The legs are well proportioned, with lean, well-angulated, well-let-down hocks typical of a sure-footed mountain breed. The tail can be docked short, a natural bob-tail, or naturally long with a crook in the end, so long as its carried below the topline at rest and in motion.

The coat has two basic varieties, smooth-faced and rough-faced (demi-long or long-haired). The smooth-faced variety has short, fine hairs on the muzzle, with a modest ruff around the face and neck, and some feathering along the legs, tail, and belly. In contrast, the rough-faced has longer hair on the muzzle and face, though never enough to cover or obscure the eyes or create a bearded effect, and demi-long or long, coarse hair over the rest of the body. The rough-faced dog can also form cords over his hindquarters and front legs.