Great Pyrenees grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Great Pyrenees: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
The coat is more practical than it looks. The coarse outer hair tends to shed dirt once dry, and mats are less common than in silkier breeds. Brush thoroughly once or twice a week with a pin brush and undercoat rake, paying attention to the mane, behind the ears and the thick trousers. Expect a heavy shed at least once a year, when brushing every day for two to three weeks is the only way to keep up.
Bathe only a few times a year, since frequent washing strips natural oils. Don't forget the double dewclaws on the back legs: they never touch the ground and can curl into the skin if left untrimmed, so check them with every nail trim, every two to four weeks. Avoid shaving the coat in summer, because it shields the skin from sun and helps with temperature control.
Great Pyrenees grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 2 to 3 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Shedding | Heavy, with seasonal blowouts |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
Thick, weather-resistant double coat with a long, flat, coarse outer layer and a dense woolly undercoat, forming a mane around the neck and trousers on the back legs.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling