How Much Do Great Pyrenees Cost?

Last Updated on July 17, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The Great Pyrenees is a large, majestic breed known for being gentle, loyal guardians. However, bringing one of these special dogs home requires careful financial consideration.

Both the upfront and ongoing expenses of Great Pyrenees ownership should be thoroughly researched before making the commitment. This article outlines the diverse costs involved with properly caring for these magnificent mountain dogs over their lifetime.

How Much Do Great Pyrenees Cost?

The initial cost of a Great Pyrenees puppy or adult dog may range from just $500 for adoption up to $5,000+ from a premier breeder. Prospective owners must also thoroughly account for this breed’s considerable expenses that depending on source, are approximately $2,000 to $4,000 in annual costs, and lifetime expenses usually exceed $15,000 or more to properly care for them over their decade+ lifespan.

The starting price to purchase or adopt a Great Pyrenees puppy or adult dog can vary tremendously based on source, age, pedigree, location and multiple other factors.

Purchasing a Puppy from a Reputable Breeder

• Average Cost Range: $1,500 to $5,000+
• Price depends heavily on breeder’s reputation, dog’s pedigree, parents’ health testing and show titles, location, current demand, litter availability and more.
• Highest prices are commanded by show prospect puppies from champion show-winning parentage.

Adopting a Great Pyrenees from a Rescue/Shelter

• Adoption Fee Range: $150 to $500
• Often includes initial vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchip identification, vet exam, flea/tick/heartworm preventatives and more.
• Puppies are rare but possible. Most adopted dogs are young adults.

Additional Upfront Expenses for a New Puppy or Dog

• Essential Supplies – $500 to $1,500+ for crate, leash, collar, bowls, toys, puppy-proofing, grooming tools, enrollment in training classes, etc.
• Initial Vet costs – $200 to $500+ for first vet visit, stool sample, deworming, heartworm test, core vaccines.

Greenfield Puppies lists Great Pyrenees puppies ranging from $600 to $1,500 depending on pedigree and breeder reputation. Their site details each puppy’s characteristics and background, helping prospective buyers make informed decisions about their purchase.

Additionally, AKC Marketplace provides listings from AKC-registered breeders across the US. Prices for Great Pyrenees puppies on this platform often start around $1,000 and can go up to $3,000 or more for show-quality or champion bloodline puppies. The AKC Marketplace ensures that all listed breeders adhere to strict guidelines, promoting responsible breeding practices.

It’s also worthwhile to consider adoption options through platforms like Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet, where Great Pyrenees dogs are available for adoption at significantly lower costs compared to purchasing from breeders. Adoption fees typically range from $100 to $500, covering vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and sometimes microchipping.

Overview of the Great Pyrenees Breed

Originally bred as livestock guardian dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain, the Great Pyrenees is a large, sturdy mountain dog averaging 100-160 lbs. as an adult. Their thick, beautiful white coats protected them from the harsh winter climate of their homeland.

Despite their imposing size, Great Pyrenees are incredibly affectionate and docile by nature, especially with their own families. They require moderate exercise and make wonderful pets when properly trained. As protectors by breeding, they do exhibit wariness of strangers. Early socialization is key for a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

Recurring Ownership Expenses

Providing consistent, high-quality care for a Great Pyrenees requires dedication along with thorough budgeting to cover their considerable ongoing costs:

High-Quality Dog Food and Treats

• Dry Kibble – $80-150+ per month for premium diet. Larger dogs require more calories.
• Freeze-Dried – $200+ monthly for exclusive limited-ingredient formulas.
• Fresh Food – $150-300+ monthly for customized home-delivered meals.
• Treats – $20-50 per month on training treats.

Medical Care – Exams, Vaccines, Preventatives

• Annual Exam & Vaccines – $250-$500+ per year
• Preventatives – Heartworm, flea & tick, deworming medication runs $200-$400+ annually.
• Wellness Screening – $150-$300 for annual bloodwork, urinalysis, dermatology and ophthalmology checks.

Grooming – Tools, Products and Professional Services

• DIY Supplies & Tools – $250+ per year for slicker brushes, combs, nail clippers, shampoo, conditioner, drying coat spray.
• Professional Grooming – $400-$1000+ annually if not able to self-brush and bathe weekly.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Karelian Bear Dog, Tibetan Mastiff, or Caucasian Shepherd.

Pet Health Insurance

• Comprehensive accident & illness coverage averages $500-$1,500+ annually for Great Pyrenees based on policy limits. Locking in coverage while young secures lower premiums.

Training Classes and Obedience Training

• Group Classes – $150-$500+ annually for periodic socialization, skills reinforcement and addressing any behavior issues.
• Private Training – $1,000-$5,000+ over their lifetime for customized training programs targeting more serious obedience or aggression problems.

Boarding, Pet Sitting and Doggy Daycare

• Boarding – $40-$100+ daily for overnight stays and care while traveling.
• In Home Pet Sitting – $25-$50+ per day for one-on-one attention. Stress-reducer.
• Doggy Daycare – $20-$40+ per day for group play and socialization while at work.

Supplies – Leashes, Collars, Crates, Bedding, Toys

• $500+ per year – Giant breed merchandise wears out and needs frequent replacing.
• Strong leashes, custom extra-large beds, and ultra-durable toys are must-haves.

Licensing – Based on Location of Residence

• Annual fee typically $20-$100.
• Mandatory in most cities and counties. Supports animal control services.

Potential Additional Veterinary Expenses

Great Pyrenees can be prone to certain hereditary and acquired health conditions that may necessitate special veterinary intervention, testing, or surgery:

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – Corrective surgery often costs $3,000-$6,000+.
• Osteosarcoma – Amputation/chemotherapy expenses can exceed $10,000.
• Bloat – Emergency surgical treatment easily reaches $3,000+. Prevention tips reduce risk.
• Autoimmune Disorders – Immune-modulating medications range $200-$500+ monthly.

Having pet insurance along with an emergency medical fund provides a financial buffer for managing these potentially catastrophic scenarios.

The Lifetime Price of a Great Pyrenees

Over an average 10–12-year lifespan, projected total costs often reach:

• First Year – $5,000 to $10,000+ (Purchase price, supplies, vetting, spay/neuter, training, food, preventatives, etc.)
• Each Additional Year – $5,000-$7,000+ on average (Food, exams, grooming, insurance premiums, medications if needed, standard supplies, unforeseen illnesses, boarding, etc.)
• Lifetime Total – $60,000 to $100,000+ (Adds up significantly over a decade+ lifespan)

Careful financial planning and proactive budgeting from the start allows owners to most effectively manage these substantial ongoing costs without sacrificing their dog’s health and quality of life. Finding affordable care options provides further assistance to owners on a budget.

Cost-Saving Strategies

Some tips to potentially save on Great Pyrenees costs without skimping on essential care include:

• Adopt a mixed breed or young adult Pyrenees to avoid purebred puppy sticker shock. Rescues often cover initial vetting costs too.
• Learn to become skilled at bathing, brushing and de-matting their coat yourself after professional lessons instead of paying for frequent grooming services.
• Use monthly preventatives like flea/tick/heartworm medication year-round to avoid far greater treatment costs for these parasitic infections. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• Buy premium food and routine care supplies in bulk online through reputable retailers offering volume discounts and autoship reward programs.
• Take advantage of vet clinic membership plans that provide 10-20% discounts on services, medication, dental cleanings and surgeries.
• Keep your Pyrenees lean and fit with ideal caloric intake and daily activity to prevent weight-related illnesses that add more avoidable medical expenses.
• Pet health insurance locks in lower premiums when enrolled at a young age before any pre-existing conditions emerge.

Final Words

While expensive compared to small breeds, their companionship, protection and devoted nature are immensely rewarding for the right family. Thorough financial planning helps ensure their considerable needs are met. With realistic expectations of cost and effort, the Great Pyrenees makes an outstanding canine companion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to know before getting a Great Pyrenees?

It’s important to research their strong protective instincts, extensive grooming requirements, exercise needs, tendency to bark and roam, and susceptibility to health issues. Socialization and training from an early age are vital.

Great Pyrenees need patient yet firm leadership. Ensure you can provide adequate time, space, training, grooming and veterinary care. Take their substantial financial needs into account as well before making the commitment.

Will an electric fence work on a Great Pyrenees?

Electric or underground “invisible” fences are usually ineffective and unsafe for Great Pyrenees. Their high pain tolerance and strong instinct to roam and expand their territory often leads them to simply run through the shocks.

A 6-foot-tall solid fence on a large, securely enclosed yard is a safer containment method. But supervision is still required. Proper training from a young age is key. An electric fence should never be solely relied upon to contain a Great Pyrenees.

How much area does a Great Pyrenees need?

Great Pyrenees ideally need a securely fenced yard of at least half an acre, but 1-2 acres is better. They were bred to roam and patrol wide mountainous regions. Without ample room to move, they may exhibit nuisance behaviors.

Adequate indoor space for sleeping and eating is also required. While they can adapt to apartment living if properly exercised, access to a large yard is strongly recommended. Take their substantial exercise and space needs into account before getting a Great Pyrenees.