Smooth-Faced Pyrenean Sheepdog
🧠 Temperament & character
Lively, attentive and courageous, the Smooth-Faced Pyrenean Sheepdog is a work-loving, agile dog that seems somewhat sturdier and more balanced than its long-haired cousin. He bonds closely with his people, is watchful and eager to learn, but reserved towards strangers. His keen temperament and urge to move demand plenty of activity and patient, sensitive guidance. With good socialisation he is a loyal, attentive companion with lots of energy.
📜 Origin & history
Like the long-haired Pyrenean Sheepdog, the smooth-faced variety has for centuries herded the flocks of sheep in the French Pyrenees, working nimbly and agilely in the rugged mountains. Traditionally the task was shared with the large Pyrenean Mountain Dog, which guarded the flock while the small herder kept it together. The two varieties — long-haired and smooth-faced — are regarded as closely related strains of the same old herding breed. The smooth-faced variety, too, was valued in the First World War as a versatile service dog.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The coat of the Smooth-Faced Pyrenean Sheepdog is medium-length on the body and short on the face, which makes grooming straightforward overall; regular brushing is enough. Like its long-haired relative, this variety too needs a great deal of daily exercise and mental stimulation in order to be balanced. Dog sports such as agility, obedience or tracking are ideal for channelling his alert mind and his energy. As a sensitive dog he learns best with calm, motivating and varied guidance.
🩺 Health
The Smooth-Faced Pyrenean Sheepdog is considered a robust and long-lived breed with a life expectancy of around twelve to fifteen years. Occasionally hip dysplasia and patellar luxation occur, and more rarely hereditary eye conditions. Reputable breeders have the parent animals examined for hip dysplasia and patella problems and have the eyes checked. Overall, this variety too is a tough, weatherproof dog with a good constitution.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Smooth-Faced Pyrenean Sheepdog is best suited to active, dog-experienced people who can meet his high need for exercise and occupation. Like his long-haired relative, he is not well suited to a quiet apartment life without a task; dog sports, hiking and a nature-oriented home are ideal. Because of his temperament he is only partly recommended for inexperienced first-time owners. In Switzerland, the sure-footed, weatherproof little herding dog is an ideal companion for mountain hikes and for active dog-sport enthusiasts.