Dog breeds :
Berger des Pyrenees a poil long / Longhaired Pyrenean Sheepdog / Pyrenean Shepherd (longhaired)
CH Urrugne de l'Estaube (Blythe)
General
A lean, lively dog of minimal height and weight, and a sinewy build; with a great deal of energy and an intelligent, cunning, mischievous attitude and expression; always on alert, suspicious, ready for action. This vigilant attitude and great vivacity of movement gives this little dog a highly singular gait and appearance, characteristic of no other breed. Note that there are 2 varieties of Pyrenean Shepherd, Rough-Faced & Smooth-Faced
Characteristics
A rustic, shaggy appearance is called for, not the extreme show grooming common in many breeds. The head is triangular, with the muzzle shorter than most herding breeds. The expression is striking & intelligent. The eyes must not be obscured by hair. In proportion, the breed is long of body with a slight rise over the loin, and excellent length of gaskin/ let-down of hock. The gait is effortless, covering remarkable ground for such a small dog.
Temperament
The Pyrenean Shepherd has the tendency to become passionately attached to his owner to the complete exclusion of all others and is astonishingly sensitive to his owner's moods. As a companion, he is very active and enthusiastic and insists upon being involved in the day's activities whatever they may be. He is very affectionate with the members of his immediate family but is distrustful of strangers. Thus, shyness in the showring is not to be penalized unless it interferes with the judging procedure. Only through considerable effort at socialization does this dog become friendly with strangers.
History
For centuries, perhaps millenia, 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 courrier, 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 Pyr Sheps 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.
Origin
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.
Utilization
The Pyrenean Shepherd excels at all performance events, especially agility, flyball, 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. His natural herding instinct is best brought out by letting him watch an older dog at work. In all matters of training, he requires firm, consistently-enforced ground rules.
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