The combination of the Great Pyrenees and the Siberian Husky results in one of the most affordable and dependable companions out there.
Whether you’re curious about the Great Pyrenees Husky mix or you’re planning to welcome one of their pups into your family, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in today’s article.
Keep on reading as we walk you through a Great Pyrenees Husky mix guide with all the necessary information about their characteristics, requirements, temperament, and more!
History and Where the Great Pyrenees Husky Mix Comes from
One of the best ways to learn more about the Great Pyrenees Husky mix history is to meet its parents, so let’s check them out to learn about their similarities and differences:
Great Pyrenees History
As the name suggests, the Great Pyrenees hails from the Pyrenees mountain range between Spain and France, especially the French side.
Outside the United States, the breed is also known as the “Pyrenees Mountain Dog”. In France, the dog is also called “Patou”.
The dog breed is said to have evolved from another mountain dog breed from Asia Minor around 1,800 and 1,000 B.C.
Great Pyrenees dogs were initially bred as work/herding dogs for protecting sheep from wolves and predators, working independently from the owner.
This is why the dog is known for being relatively calm but serious and trustworthy. The average size and weight of the dog are 47 inches and 100 lbs respectively.
Husky History
The Husky is a very old dog breed that was first raised by the Chukchi people of Siberia. The medium to large size dog was bred as a sled dog to transfer light goods and people across the ice.
For that reason, the dog is known for its energetic and highly athletic build. The dogs bear a striking resemblance to Arctic wolves, especially their bright blue eyes.
In fact, besides intelligence, the unique eye coloration of the husky is one of the main reasons they’re cross-bred with so many species.
In terms of average size and weight, the Husky is smaller and much lighter than the Pyrenees, with an average length of around 32 inches and an average weight of around 55 lbs.
Mix History
There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the Great Pyrenees Husky dogs, as we don’t have solid records of the first hybrid that resulted from mating the two breeds together.
However, we know that the Great Pyrenees arrived in North America through Newfoundland in 1824 along with a French military officer.
Meanwhile, Huskies were brought to Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush in the early 1900s, so it’s likely that the two dogs were first cross-bred around or after that time.
Like most hybrid breeds, the dog shares a lot of similarities with its two parents, although the results of the mating process vary significantly from one dog to another.
Great Pyrenees Husky Mix Quick Facts
As a descendant of two popular work dogs, the Great Pyrenees Husky is an active dog who likes exercise and going on adventures. Despite the popularity of the two parents, they’re rarely combined together.
The hybrid dog greatly tolerates mountainous environments and enjoys going on camping and hiking trips in the woods.
Since both of its parents have thick hair coats, the Great Pyrenees Husky mix prefers living in cooler regions with plenty of ventilation.
A well-socialized Pyrenees Husky will be quite friendly to strangers, although this may also vary depending on the dog’s individual personality.
Great Pyrenees Husky Mix Size and Weight
The Pyrenees Husky can be anything from medium to a large-sized dog. The average height of the dog is around 18 to 22 inches at its shoulder, with the males being slightly larger on average.
The Husky Pyrenees is typically on the heavier side for its size, as it can weigh up to 100 lbs. However, the dog can be as light as 75 lbs.
You should expect it to reach its full height at around 12 to 18 months old. However, the dog will reach its full-grown weight at around 2 years old.
Great Pyrenees Husky Mix Appearance
Although the Great Pyrenees will always have a thick fur coat, its coloration will vary significantly.
The dog can be all white like its Pyrenees parent, or white with black markings similar to its Husky parent. Additionally, you can notice some cream coloration depending on the parents’ markings.
The same possibilities also go for the dog’s eyes. The eyes could be bright blue, amber, hazel, brown, or one of each, which is a phenomenon known as “Heterochromia”.
Great Pyrenees Husky Mix Behavior and Temperament
The Great Pyrenees Husky mix usually yields a highly energetic, gentle, and affectionate dog. Dogs of this hybrid breed are usually quite reliable, although they still need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to stay engaged and happy.
Is the Pyrenees Husky Intelligent?
Like its parents, the Pyrenees Husky mix is known for its intelligence. While this implies that they’re quite clever, it also means that they get bored easily and need new forms of mental stimulation every now and then.
The dog still needs proper training to become obedient and socialize with other dogs and strangers.
Is the Pyrenees Husky Aggressive?
The Pyrenees Husky is a friendly dog breed that is rarely aggressive. So, unless it feels threatened or the dog wasn’t trained to socialize from an early age, you shouldn’t worry about that.
After all, the Pyrenees is a fairly docile breed and Huskies are quite welcoming by nature.
With that being said, the hybrid breed can be destructive when he or she gets bored, so make sure that you buy plenty of quality chew toys to avoid damaging your carpets and furniture.
Does the Pyrenees Husky Make a Good Family Dog?
In general, the friendly and affectionate nature of the Pyrenees husky makes it an excellent family dog, especially since the dog is good with children too (you still need to monitor them during interactions).
The Great Pyrenees Husky can be an exceptional dog for a family with a knack for adventures and enjoying quality time outdoors. This is because the Pyrenees Husky is great at sports and staying active for long times.
What Are the Unwanted Behaviors of the Pyrenees Husky Mix?
The hybrid mix often inherits the alpha instincts from its Siberian-dwelling parent. This makes them a little stubborn and difficult to deal with sometimes, especially during command training.
For that reason, it’s important that you establish a hierarchy in the household so that the dog doesn’t misbehave.
Additionally, both the Pyrenees and the Husky are vocal and loud dogs, so it’s no surprise that their hybrid offspring will also be somewhat loud and unsuitable for apartment living.
Pyrenees Husky Mix Price and Expenses
The Pyrenees Husky mix is rare and highly underrated. While the pure parents are quite expensive, the hybrid breed is surprisingly affordable, with some reputable breeders selling the pup for anywhere between $300 to $600, although some breeders sell them for much more.
Despite its relatively affordable price, finding a reliable breeder who deals in these dogs is the true challenge, and you may have to travel from your local hometown to find one.
You can also find the hybrid dog in your local dog shelter for an adoption fee of $200 to $300.
Since the dog breed is not as popular as its pure-bred parents, there isn’t much of a demand for particular dog features. However, a larger Pyrenees Husky with a larger build may cost you more than a smaller one.
Pyrenees Husky Mix Annual Expenses
The Pyrenees Husky Mix is a medium-maintenance dog. This means that the dog will cost you anywhere between $400 to $500 in annual expenses.
The first year of the Great Pyrenees Husky is usually the most expensive, as it’ll also include the added costs of an initial pet check, vaccination, registration/paperwork, buying essential pet supplies, etc.
These expenses alone can be as high as $500 to $600. You’ll need to groom your Great Pyrenees Husky often, which usually costs between $35 to $75 per session.
Pyrenees Husky Mix Life Expectancy
Both the Great Pyrenees and the Siberian Husky enjoy a relatively long life for their size, which usually extends anywhere between 10 to 14 years.
With proper nutrition, care, and good genetics, the hybrid breed can also live a few years beyond the age of 15.
Pyrenees Husky Mix Health
Like all dogs, the Pyrenees Husky mix is prone to some health problems, despite being a generally healthy dog. Here’s a quick look at some of the most important conditions to look out for:
- Patellar Luxation: A condition where the dog’s kneecaps (patella) pop out of their position, causing temporary but repetitive stints of skipping
- Hip dysplasia: Another Joint related condition that affects the configuration of Pyrenees Husky’s legs and causes inflammation and arthritic pain.
- Eye problems: This mainly includes cataracts, which cause clouding of the dog’s eyes and reduce their ability to see properly.
- Bloating: Also, known as “Gastric Dilatation Volvulus” or “GDV”, which is a condition caused by excessive eating and can quickly develop into a serious and fatal condition if not treated as soon as possible.
- Addison’s Disease: A treatable endocrine disorder in which the dog’s adrenal glands don’t produce enough corticosteroids.
Taking care of these conditions will help you keep your Great Pyrenees Husky Mix healthy and happy for the longest time possible.
Luckily, regular vet physical checkups, along with X-rays and blood analyses can help you detect them early on.
How to Care for Pyrenees Husky Mix
The Great Pyrenees Husky mix needs medium to high level of care in order to keep it happy and in good shape. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the dog’s most essential requirements:
How Much Exercise Does Pyrenees Husky Mix Need?
Pyrenees Huskies are very active dogs that require plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Around 45 minutes of daily activity spread across the day should be ideal.
You’ll need to take your dog on long walks every few days to keep them healthy and happy (a total of 10 miles a week or more is great)
Keeping the dog’s energy level low also prevents them from being over-energetic and excitable at home, which encourages destructive behaviors.
How Much Does Pyrenees Husky Mix Shed?
As a dog with a relatively thick fur coat and medium to long hairs, the dog will typically shed all year round.
Additionally, the dog will blow its coat twice a year, which is usually around changes in weather (spring and fall). For that reason, you should always brush your dog to remove stray hairs and prevent matting.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Pyrenees Husky Mix?
You might need to brush your dog every 4 to 5 days using a reliable de-shedding tool.
Also, you’ll need to bathe your pooch to get rid of dirt and debris in its coat, which is usually every 1 or 2 weeks. Make sure that you use a gentle dog shampoo if your dog’s skin is sensitive.
A professional grooming session is also highly recommended every 1 to 2 months, which is also a good time to clip the dog’s nails.
Pyrenees Husky Mix Training
As previously established, Pyrenees Husky are smart but can misbehave if not trained properly, so make sure that you train them from an early age.
Typically, training your Pyrenees Husky mix should start at around 7 to 10 weeks old. This should include house/crate training as well as very simple commands.
Training can be tricky at first because the dog is somewhat stubborn, not because it’s unintelligent. For that reason, avoid using force while training.
Pyrenees Husky Mix Diet
Pyrenees Husky needs a balanced diet to grow with high-quality proteins to grow. Make sure that the dog’s meals consist of 30% proteins, %20 fats, and 30% complex (fruit and vegetable-based) carbs.
Little Pyrenees Husky puppies need 3 meals a day for healthy growth while adults need only two.
You should also make sure that the meals consist of healthy micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.