Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix: The Complete Guide

Are you looking for a reliable watchdog or a companion for your outdoor adventures?

This designer dog or mixed breed is what you might be looking for!

Get to know more about the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix in this article.

What is a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix?

The Great Pyrenees are big and immensely strong mountain dogs perfectly called “majestic”. Australian Shepherd dogs meanwhile are excellent herders that are loved for being reliable.

When you mix American Kennel Club (AKC)’s 66th most popular dog, the Great Pyrenees also called “Pyr”, and the 7th on the list, which is the Australian Shepherd or affectionately called “Aussie”, this results in one reliable and adorable dog breed.

Yes, that’s the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix!

You can also call it by its other moniker: Great Pyrenees Aussie, Aussie Pyrenees, or even Sheepness.

History of the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix

Just like most of the mixed breed, their history is a bit hazy. The only thing we know is that mixing one purebred to another became a fad in the last twenty years or so.

Don’t worry, despite that lack of reference, both its parents have quite the history.

The Great Pyrenees really has some flair of greatness in its name. They are called “Le Grande Chien Des Montagnes” or as they aptly fit, the great big dog of the mountains. The Pyr, as they are affectionately called, is an antiquated breed. And fossil findings show that the breed’s ancestors lived in 1800 BC.

They originated in the Pyrenees mountains of France and Spain. Originally, the Pyrs were bred to watch sheep and goat flock. They also deter predators like wolves and bears from devouring them. Their innate patience was perfect for the job. They do it even while sitting atop a freezing cold mountain for days.

In the 17th century, the Pyrs became the Royal Dog of France. It is because they were efficient guardians of the chateaux during the reign of King Louis XIV.

The Pyrs were recognized by the AKC in 1933 and it is in its 91st roster.

Now the other parent of the mix did not hail from the land down under though it is called the Australian Shepherd. Just like the Pyrs, they originated somewhere between Spain and France. The Aussies, as they are affectionately called, were Europe’s finest herders in the Basque region.

The people in this part of Spain-France have a century-old reputation of being world-class shepherds. Upon looking for a greener pasture for cattle ranching, they reached Australia.

From the land of Aussies, the Basque people traveled to California where the ranchers became impressed with the herding dogs. They even mistook them as an Australian breed! So that’s the history of its name that is not quite accurate.

In the US, the Aussies became extremely popular at horse shows and rodeos. Some Aussies even landed leading roles in popular movies!

Because of its travel history, Australian Shepherds are touted as “a European breed perfected in California by way of Australia”. Aussies were recognized by the AKC in 1993 and it is the 135th breed in its roster.

How Will a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix Look Like?

That is quite a tough question. It is really hard to tell if it is going to look like the Great Pyrenees with the temperament of an Australian Shepherd dog.

It is also likely to look like an Aussie but with a heart of a Pyr. But, do not also discount that it can be a great combination of both its parents.

One thing is for sure, though. The Aussie Pyrenees or the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix will be a stunner. What with its medium to long double coat and dark, attractive eyes.

It’s perfect for cold weather fur. Plus it also comes in common colors such as white, cream, or a combination of these shades.

Coming from large parents, how big will the Aussie Pyrenees get?

Well, let’s take a look at each parent first.

The Pyr can grow at 32 inches tall and weigh 100 pounds and up. While the Aussie is relatively smaller at 23 inches in height and almost half the Pyr’s weight at 65 pounds.

With this, your Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix can grow from 25 to 32 inches tall. It can weigh from 50 to 110 pounds. Yes, it will be a medium to large breed also.

How to Groom a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix?

With great fur comes great responsibility. And make no mistake, the level of shedding of the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix is high.

Yes, the Aussie Pyrenees is not one of those hypoallergenic dogs perfect for allergy sufferers.

The coat of this mix can shed like crazy especially if not properly groomed.

So how often should you give your mix a brush? Two to three times per week is perfect!

To help you manage its fur, invest in a good pin brush, comb, and deshedder. A vacuum will also definitely come in handy to keep your home spic and span.

If you are wary of grooming your dog, you can always entrust it to a professional groomer also.

Next, how often must Aussie Pyrenees take a bath? It should only be done when necessary like when they are rolled in dirt already. Otherwise, keep it at three to four baths a year. In months when your dog does not have a bath, you can give it deodorizing wipes to keep it clean at all times.

Their nails are also part of their healthy grooming. So you should schedule to trim them regularly. When it grows too long or when it clicks the floor already, then it’s time to trim!

Dental health is also important so take time to brush your pet’s teeth several times a week.

What is the Temperament of the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix?

What will be the general temperament or attitude of the Aussie Pyrenees? It is often advised to look at each of the parents so let’s do just that!

The Great Pyrenees are smart, patient, and calm breeds. Their calmness is even described as Zen! However, they can also tend to be protective and spring into action in the face of a threat.

Because of their sheer size and how they were developed as a herder and protector of flocks, the Pyrs make for great guard dogs.

On the other hand, the Australian Shepherds are smart, work-oriented, and exuberant. While they are a very reliable breed when it comes to working, they are also one of the sweetest breeds you will ever come across!

With good genes from both parents, your Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix will be a loyal, protective and intelligent dog good for guarding.

Yes, they are very protective and loyal and their love for barking also comes in handy for it making them a reliable watchdog.

Even if they have a protective instinct, this breed is very affectionate. They would love to spend and enjoy quality time with you!

When socialized well at a young age, the Aussie Pyrenees mix can be friendly and sociable. Since both parents are also good with children, they make great playmates for them. Sometimes, they can get aggressive but this can be tapered off with proper training.

While they can be great with children, they should never be left unsupervised. They are a large breed and they can easily knock off small children. On the other hand, children must also be taught how to properly engage with a dog and never to pull their tail or ears.

If they can be kid-friendly, they can also be pet-friendly! If the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix is made to see that a cat or other pet is a member of the family, it will also protect it like a family.

This mix is also capable of being independent and they can go alone especially when the house gets noisy or full. But even so, this mix should never be left alone for extended periods. Or they can get easily bored and develop destructive or aggressive behavior. While they are big and independent, they still love to be where the “pack” is.

Exercise Needs of the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix

The Pyrs are part of the working group and while they are hardworking, they are not highly active.

The Aussies are industrious members of the herding group, too. And, they are highly energetic and athletic. They love the outdoors and they are not for a sedentary owner. This breed enjoys a big backyard where it can play around.

So, the Aussie Pyrenees are also a great choice for individuals or families looking for a furry companion in their adventures! The exercise needs of this breed are high and a reasonable amount of “sweating” will keep this breed happy and healthy.

An hour of walking or running or even just a play of fetch is already perfect to help burn off the excess energy of this dog.

This dog also needs mental exercise so give it some interactive tasks and puzzles!

As a medium to big breed with high exercise needs, it will thrive well in a home with a big background. So an apartment setting may not be a perfect option for this dog. Not to mention that this dog is a barker, mind you.

Is the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix Highly Trainable?

The Great Pyrenees is on the 64th spot on the ranking of dog intelligence. They are considered to have a fair working intelligence. The Pyrs can understand new commands after about 40 to 80 repetitions.

They can also follow common orders 30% of the time. They are independent thinkers. And they can work and guide their flock without supervision. However, Pyrs will often give obedience training with a shrug of indifference.

The Aussies are in a higher spot at 42nd. These dogs of average working intelligence can muster new commands in 25 to 40 repetitions. For a common command, their score is 50%! Early socialization and obedience training is a must for the Australian Shepherd.

Having a glimpse of how both parents are in the intelligence spectrum, it is safe to say that the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix is somewhat easy to train.

Just be prepared though because the Aussie Pyrenees have a stubborn streak. Positive training techniques, just like in most breeds, are recommended for this mix. Give it lots of praises and even physical affirmations every time it follows a command.

Be generous in your praise but you will need to be a strong, firm, and consistent trainer. If your dog sees otherwise, it will take advantage of it.

It is also best to start training your Aussie Pyrenees while still at puppyhood.

Obedience training, house training, and socialization are all a must for this breed. If you think that it is too much for you, better hire a professional to do it to get the best out of your Aussie Pyrenees mix.

Food and Nutrition Requirements of the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix

Like for any dog breed, its high-quality food should always be in consideration. Take into account its size, age, activity level, weight, and even medical history. It is always best to consult your vet on the proper portioning and dietary needs of the dog. Mind you, there are a lot of obese dogs in the US.

Speaking of obesity, this mix is also prone to overfeeding. Give it a snack and it will devour it and it won’t stop eating unless you stop giving. Obesity will only exacerbate health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia. Not to mention, it decreases its life expectancy.

With this, investing in an auto feeder is a wise choice.

Some blogs also recommend raw feeding due to their wolf background. You can ask your vet about its recommendation.

It is also recommended to give vitamins and supplements. You can go with probiotics, fish oil, chondroitin, and glucosamine as starters.

Always also ensure that your dog has access to freshwater daily.

Lastly, if you are giving treats to your dog, go for those low in calories like fruits and veggies.

What are the Common Health Issues of the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix?

No mix breed or even purebred is spared from health issues and your Aussie Pyrenees can be susceptible to:

• Bloating
• Bone cancer
• Elbow and Hip dysplasia
• Skin conditions

If you see that there is something amiss with your dog, you should reach out to your vet. It also pays to run genetic tests on your dog to check which diseases it is susceptible to especially when it can be prevented.

Regular check-ups will also have their merits.

What is the Average Lifespan of a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix?

The Pyrs have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years while the Aussies between 12 to 15 years. Expect your Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix to have a life span of 10 to 15 years.

Ensure that your Aussie Pyrenees mix will make the most out of life. Proper diet, exercise, grooming, a regular visit to the vet and lots of tender loving care are important ingredients.

How Much is a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix?

Interested in buying a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix? Price range for this rare mix breed can range from USD 800 to a staggering 4,000!

Make sure you do your research before buying. Deal only with a reliable breeder who can provide you all the documents of their purebred parents. Look for those who have also properly tested the breed.

Adoption is also a great idea. The cost for adopting an Aussie Pyrenees mix is just around USD 300. The great thing about adopting is that some shelters allow you to take home the dog for a short period of time.

Not only that, but you also get to save the life of a dear dog!

Interested? You can look for local shelters for Great Pyrenees or Australian Shepherd as they also take in the mixes.

Conclusion: Is the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix the Dog for You?

The question is, do you love the outdoors? Do you have an active lifestyle? Are you committed to taking care of this mix for life? Bringing home a Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix or any dog for that matter is a lifetime commitment. So make sure you are 100% ready for it.

You will never regret homing one for you get yourself a reliable watchdog that will protect and love you fiercely.