Pyredoodle Care

The Pyredoodle--a hybrid of a Great Pyrenees and a Standard Poodle--is a large-sized, intelligent, well-mannered, often protective crossbreed that's beloved by its owners. These big dogs make playful companions to families of any size--and one of their greatest qualities is that Pyredoodle care and maintenance doesn't take a great deal of work.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Pyredoodle, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding/drooling tendencies. For answers to your questions about owning this big, happy crossbreed, keep reading!

Though large and fairly athletic, these dogs tend to be a bit lazy--so Pyredoodle exercise requirements aren't too extensive. Because of their intelligence, owners will need to give their Pyredoodles a variety of exercises that challenge them mentally as well as physically; these dogs are also prone to obesity, so consistent daily activity will help them keep off excess weight. Pyredoodles can also be good jogging companions--but taking these dogs for a run might require a bit of coaxing!

The typical adult Pyredoodle, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need about 45 minutes of proper exercise per day, which you can accomplish with a couple of walks or jogs and a good period of play. You can start exercising your Pyredoodle puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (5- to 7-minute) walks, then you can increase the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

A few things to consider when exercising your Pyredoodle: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running on hard surfaces, or navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And regardless of age, all Pyredoodles will need to be leashed when in public. These dogs can be very protective (a trait they inherit from their Great Pyrenees parents), and might be defensive and confrontational with strange people; they also have high tendencies to wander, and may run off if they have the chance. A leash will help you control your Pyredoodle in these situations. This high wandering tendency means that even when exercising in your own yard, the area will need to be securely fenced to keep the dog from running away. And finally: Pyredoodles are susceptible to bloat, an often-fatal condition caused by a dog's stomach filling with air when it "wolfs" its food; the condition occurs most often when a dog eats just before or after exercising. It's best, then, not to exercise your Pyredoodle an hour before or two hours after eating.

Precautions aside, it's important to exercise your Pyredoodle every single day. These dogs are generally happy, peaceful, and well-mannered--but if they're bored or restless they'll become frustrated, disobedient, and destructive (not to mention overweight!). Consistent exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Swimming: These dogs usually love the water; start swimming with the dog when it's still a puppy
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor, rainy-day activity; use a rope or old towel
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, Pyredoodles enjoy the company of other dogs; be sure to use a leash
• Hiking: Excellent bonding excursion; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

If your Pyredoodle spends a lot of time indoors, it's a good idea to give the dog access to one or more balls or toys that will allow it to burn excess energy (which, odds are, it probably won't have much of). It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs in the morning and evening and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs generally don't need much care. Pyredoodle shedding, depending on the coat the crossbreed inherits, is usually very low; drooling isn't much of issue.

Pyredoodle coats can be either medium-length and wavy like the Standard Poodle's, or longer and thicker like the Great Pyrenees--or most likely, somewhere in between. The good news: in terms of genetics, the genes for the Poodle coat tend to be dominant, so this crossbreed's coat usually doesn't shed much at all (and will be hypoallergenic). Occasionally a Pyredoodle's coat will shed more frequently, but for the most part shedding isn't an issue for these hybrids (especially if they come from a breeder). Little hair cleanup will be necessary, but frequent brushing will be required to keep the coats from tangling or matting.

And a Pyredoodle may occasionally drool a bit in anticipation of food, after drinking water, or when especially excited or nervous, but it won't be a frequent problem. If your Pyredoodle is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is recommended.