2006 Dog Shows
2005 Mount Ogden Dog Show (Logan, Ut)
2004 GPCA- National Specialty (Portland, Or)
2003 Blackfoot Idaho Cluster (Blackfoot, Id)
2003 Boise Idaho Dog Shows (Boise, Id)

Conformation is the morphological (structural) composition of a dog, its gait (how the animals moves), and other breed characteristics such as the expression of the head, the eyes, ears, coat and temperament. Conformation events are where numerous specimens of a breed compete against one another to determine which specimen best exemplifies the standard for that breed as set by the breed's national association. Therefore, any discussion of conformation should be prefaced by the breed standard.

The ultimate goal of conformation competition is to prove the breeding quality of a dog (a male canine) or bitch (a female canine). By earning a championship many breeders feel they have earned the "seal of approval" to breed their dog or bitch. I am not certain I fully agree with this logic as many other considerations need to addressed as well such as health issues, temperament, and personal decisions.

Functional Conformation of the Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is an old breed, developed to protect livestock (specifically sheep) from predators such as coyotes, wolves, and bears. Pyrs typically accomplish this by scaring the predator away (vigorous barking is the first line of defense) and in some cases physically confronting and killing predators such as the coyote. When it comes to wolves even a single large male Pyr (weighing perhaps 150-180 lbs) would be at a decided disadvantage against a pack of wolves --though this surely would not stop him from trying to protect his charges. In areas where Pyrs might encounter wolves or have trouble with coyote packs, Pyrs are often used in groups.

The Great Pyrenees has also developed other --somewhat more subtle ways-- to defend its territory and protectorates. These techniques include:

A very low bark: Canids communicate in many ways and vocal communication is no exception. A high pitched sound indicates playfullness (recall the sound of puppies) and submission. Lower pitched sounds communicate aggression and dominance. Studies indicate that in the wild, canids incrementally lower the pitch of their vocalizations during a confrontation. Its seems the two (or more) aggressors can size-up one another over long distances. This has been shown to reduce the number of physical confrontations. With a low pitched bark, the Pyr certainly can communicate aggression and dominance, perhaps even disproportionately to its true size.
Frequent marking: I noticed that our male Pyr, Romy, marks his territory much more than other male dogs of other breeds. After reading the USDA's "Livestock Guarding Dogs: Protecting Sheep from Predators" however, I understood that this trait is an important one for the function Pyr's are breed to perform. The olfactory communication of canids is very important since it is more persistent than a bark and it communicates even in the physical absence of the dog. Scent marking communicates the sex and general health and dominance of the dog. The communication is not just among other domestic dogs but certainly to all canids and perhaps --to some extent-- other predators as well.

To satisfy the requirement of an unsupervised livestock guardian, the Great Pyrenees must be independent. For some owners of the breed this translate into a dog that appears stubborn and "pig-headed". We do not want to change this. A dog that is very obedient is not going to be an independent thinker. We need the independent thinkers retained in this breed. The Great Pyrenees can be trained to be obedient, although it probably takes more time to attain a "finished" level of obedience as compared with a Laborador Retriever or Golden Retriever.

I learned --the hard way I might add-- that no matter how good a dog trainer is, the trainer cannot "train-out" the breeding. For the Pyr that includes independent thinking and patrolling. The instinct to patrol is important in the Pyr. Again, this translates into "roaming" for many owners and has been problematic. The Great Pyrenees should never be left off leash outside the house or outside a well-fenced (and safe) enclosure. We have a seven foot cedar fence surrounding our back yard and this is a great place for both Romy and our son, Dusty to play freely together.