To understand why the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is as it is and behaves the way it does one must know how the breed was, and still is, used as a livestock guardian.

The PMD was used for centuries by shepherds in the Pyrenees Mountains of SW France to guard their flocks of sheep from the predation of wolves and bears. Each spring the shepherds and their dogs led the flocks up into the high mountain pastures where they stayed until winter approached and they returned to the villages.

Using an efficient pacing gait, the PMD moves slowly and calmly with the flock as it moves to find fresh pasture and when the flock stops to graze, stands guards from a nearby vantage point. Predators are more likely to strike at night, and from dusk till dawn the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is more alert giving an occasional warning bark to would-be predators. Should one approach it is chased off, but not too far so as to leave the flock unguarded (the PMD is thus a thinking dog, having to decide what it has to do without the constant directions of the shepherd as would a herding dog).

Consequently, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a large and strong dog (it needs to be able to fight wolves and bears) with a double “arctic” coat made up of fine under-hair with an overlay of longer, coarser hair (to protect it from all weathers encountered in the mountains). The coat is, thicker around the neck and the back of the hind legs (where a wolf may attempt to bite). The colour of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog coat is white, or mainly white (so that it does not spook the sheep).

There are many ocharacteristics of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog that are likewise a reflection of its original role as a livestock guardian. For most people in Australia today they are struck by its beauty and elegance and, importantly, for those wanting the dog as a family companion it is trustworthy and protective of young children.