In 1746 (ca.), the French artist Jean-Baptiste Oudry completed what many Great Pyrenees fancier's regard as a masterpiece. The work of art, "La Chasse au Loup", depicts what is clearly two Great Pyrenees fending off a large wolf (the title literally translates as "The hunt of the wolf"). The other two dogs in the painting resemble a Pointer and Great Dane although these breeds are uncertain. While Oudry is noted for detail and non-fanciful depictions of animals, it is within this uncertainty where the significance of his work lies. The fact that more than two-and-a-half centuries have gone by leaving the Great Pyrenees effectively unchanged is a noteworthy achievement for Great Pyrenees breeders world-wide.
Ours is an ancient breed and its breed's type has been set. That is not to say it cannot be changed or altered by the whim's and fad's of breeders bent on winning dog shows or "improving the breed". The breed could be changed though it should not. It should be the goal and aspiration of breeders to produce dog's that epitomize the breed standard...all else will simply make it ugly.
(From Strang)
"La Chasse au Loup"- Jean-Baptiste Oudry ca. 1746
sometimes titled "Quatre Chiens Attaquant un Loup" (four dogs attack a wolf).
We enjoy viewing and studying this work of art. So much so that we commissioned a museum-quality reproduction of it from an art gallery in England. The result is shown above and proudly displayed in our home.