What temperature can the great Pyrenees withstand?


The great Pyrenees are purebred dogs having a history of several years back. They were originally bred for guarding purposes. Since for their work requirement, their body is so built that they can tolerate extremes of temperatures. 

The great Pyrenees are gigantic dogs having the potential to withstand extremes of temperatures. The extreme temperature doesn’t mean any freezing temperature. They are living creatures also. They also feel cold and hot. There is also some limit of extreme temperature in this breed.  

With their double coat, the Pyrenees dogs are known to withstand very cold temperatures. But we cannot ignore the cases where Pyrenees dogs got frostbite and die of excessive cold. Though they were developed to guard outside in extreme temperatures, they are also living beings. Some temperature range is also extreme for them.   

Here in this guide, we will discuss what temperature is too hot for the Pyrenees and what temperature is too cold for the Pyrenees. 

What temperature is too hot for the Pyrenees?

The great Pyrenees are mountain dogs, and they were developed to serve in cold mountain areas. They are not meant for hot regions. In hot summer temperatures, the great Pyrenees shed off their double coat allowing their skin to breathe. 

Since they are more compatible with cold temperatures, they cannot withstand very high temperatures. When the temperature of above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, they will start showing hyperthermia symptoms. At this temperature, you should provide your Pyrenees with sufficient water to drink, shade, and some cooling source in order to provide them with opportunities to cool themselves. 

The great Pyrenees loves hiking in snow and colder regions, but they cannot do well in hot areas. They are more prone to hot temperatures. The temperature above 70 degrees Fahrenheit is hot for them. When the temperature goes above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it is an alarming situation for the great Pyrenees. A temperature above 90 degrees Fahrenheit might result in heat stroke in the great Pyrenees. 

What are the symptoms of hyperthermia in the great Pyrenees?

After 70 to 80 degree Fahrenheit, the Pyrenees dog will start showing the following symptoms:

  • Excessive/ heavy panting
  • Warm to the touch
  • Dark red gums
  • Red flushed skin
  • Excessive high drooling
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Black tarry stool (Sometimes)
  • Bloody Diarrhea (Sometimes)
  • When the temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the dog may go to a coma and die of heatstroke and collapse.

How to prevent hyperthermia and heatstroke in the Pyrenees in high-temperature areas?

In the case when you are residing in a hotter region and having the great Pyrenees as your companion dog, remember it’s your duty to protect your canine buddy from hot temperature. 

The Great Pyrenees dog is meant for colder areas. If you have it in a hotter region, it’s your responsibility to prevent hyperthermia in your dog and prevent him from heatstroke and the hot temperature outside. 

Given below are some tips you should take care of in hot summertime for your Great Pyrenees:

  • In a temperature above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, offer your dog lots of water, a shady area, and some cooling source to help them withstand the high temperature outside. 
  • Though your Pyrenees dog prefers to stay outside, we recommend not to allow your four-legged friend to go outside in the hot summer daytime. 
  • Don’t allow your dog to exercise in the daytime. Take your Pyrenees outside for a walk in the evening and morning when the temperature is not that high. 
  • Keep your Pyrenees in a cool area when the temperature is very hot outside. 
  • You can allow your Pyrenees to relax in the dogs’ pool on hot summer days. 
  • Provide your fido with lots of water and prevent as much dehydration as you can. 

What to do in the case when your Pyrenees dog faces heat stroke?

It is not rare for the great Pyrenees to get heatstroke in a hot region. In the case when your Pyrenees meets the same, follow the instruction given below”:

  • Bathe your Pyrenees dog with cold water. Note: Use of ice is not recommended as it may insulate the dog’s skin prevent the loss of heat from the body. 
  • In case of consciousness, let your dog drink a lot of cold water. In the case when the dog is faint, administer cold Normal saline solution or RL solution intravenously. Administration of dextrose is not recommended. 
  • Take them in some cold shady area. Cooling sources like a fan, desert coolers, and air conditions are preferred.          
  • In the case when your fury baby still does not respond, don’t delay in visiting your veterinarian. 

What temperature is too cold for the Pyrenees?

The Pyrenees dogs are meant for the colder region. They have double coats, making them strong enough to withstand the low temperature. According to the kennel club, the Pyrenees breed is considered a mountain dog that has the potential to handle the minimum temperature. 

But we cannot ignore the case where the great Pyrenees dog diet of frostbite in extreme freezing temperature season. Though they have a double coat, there is still some limit of extreme cold temperature for them. They are creatures, and the freezing temperature is extreme for them as well. 

The Pyrenees dog can be comfortable at 20 degrees Fahrenheit temperature also. But it is not recommended to allow them to stay outside for the entire day in this chilling temperature. Allowing them for the entire day at 20 degrees Fahrenheit may lead to hypothermia in the Pyrenees also. The temperature below 15 degrees Fahrenheit is extremely cold for the great Pyrenees dogs. 

Yes, you can allow your Pyrenees dog to go outside for some time to play in the snow when it is 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside. But if it is raining, never allow your fid to go outside even in a bit higher temperature. It would be very difficult for your fury baby to regulate the body temperature with wet skin, and he will catch a cold. 

What are the symptoms of hypothermia in the great Pyrenees?

In the case when your pyrenee is showing the following symptoms, it means they are facing a hypothermia condition. In such a case, wrap them in a warm blanket, and bring them inside a home in some warmer area, preferably near some heat source. 

  • Shivering
  • Stiff muscle
  • Lethargy
  • Gray pale gums
  • Lack of coordination
  • Fixed and dilated pupils
  • In extreme conditions, the dog may die and collapse. 

Precautions for the great Pyrenees in extremely cold temperature:

When it is freezing cold outside, don’t allow your fido to play out. Though you can allow them to play for some time but never for the entire day. 

After playtime, offer them some warm milk or any other high-energy source. 

With a high-calorie diet, proper exercise in the daytime is also essential.   

What to do when a great pyrenees dog is showing the symptoms of hypothermia?

  • First, wrap them in a warm blanket and bring them inside the house.
  • Place them near some heat source like fire or heater. 
  • Offer them warm milk. 
  • In the case when they are not in a condition to drink milk, administer warm dextrose or DNS intravenously. 
  • Still, your dog is not responding, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

The bottom line

So this was a complete guide on the extreme temperature range that the great Pyrenees can withstand. You can allow your Pyrenees to play outside but never allow them to stay out in extreme conditions.  

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