Re: [PyrNet-L] Drool in Oz, etc

[pyreau@crosslink.net (Jack and Charlotte Perry)]

Hi Michael,

You wrote:>[ ONE: Do Pyreneans typically live for 8 years? 10 years? 12? 

I would says that most probably the lifespan of pups would be similar to
their relatives although I do think dogs are living longer than they did 20
years ago...no doubt better care and food.

>TWO: We have a fully fenced (6 ft wooden) suburban yard. The property
>is 455m2 in area, the house occupying 138m2. 

The space seems fine to me. Once past puppyhood Pyrs mostly like to lie
around. There are many people in our area that keep their dogs in apartments
or attached city houses.  The problem in city and suburbs is not space but
rather barking.  If the dog is left alone in a back yard or apartment for
long hours, he will probably bark and bother the neighbors (needs to warm
the bears and wolves to stay away).  This is not normally a problem if there
is someone home to bring the dog inside or tell it to be quiet.

THREE: DROOL.  Pyreneans, even those that are droolers,  should not drool
anything like a St. Bernard or a Newfoundland.  They should have tighter
lips.  However, even the non-drooling ones will sometimes drool if they are
stressed, excited or when they drink water.  The best way to know if a pup
will drool is to look at the parents and adult relatives. Look to see if
their lips are loose and droopy.  It sounds like you saw some champion
droolers...on the other hand, I get the impression that what you saw might
have been several years' accumulation....UGH!

We, and many other Pyr owners we know, keep a supply of old towels which we
use to wipe off muddy feet before the dogs enter the house and to wipe
mouths if they start to drool. We just returned from visiting with a family
who have a really lovely modern home with lots of floor-to-ceiling glass
windows and hardwood flooring thoughout the house including the kitchen.
They also have a Pyr and had another one that lived to be 11 before this
one.  The house was immaculate and I did not see any drool.  They did have a
large towel for the dog to lie on in the kitchen and another one at the door
where she comes in from the yard (it was raining and muddy that day). I'm
sure they do wash those windows, but they would have to wash off children's
sticky handprints if they had kids too. 

I believe that there are several people from Australia on this list.
Hopefully they can direct you to some other breeders you can visit.  

Good luck, keep us posted.
Charlotte