UTILIZATION:

Guard and defense.
Any specimen that is too shy, nervous or uneven in temperament must be excluded from breeding.


BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:

Previously, the Pyrenean Mastiff was used for defence against beasts of prey, in particular against wolf and bear.
Nowadays he is an excellent guard for country estates and their owners as he is easily trained.


GENERAL APPEARANCE:

That of a very large dog, above average size and of medium proportions.
Harmonious, emphatically strong and muscular.
Firm bone structure.
In spite of his size, must not give the impression of being heavy of sluggish.
Coat not exaggerated in length.


IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:

Within medium proportions.
The length of the body measures barely more than the height at withers.
Well balanced and harmonious all over.
Length of skull in relation to bridge of nose = 5 : 4.
Breadth of skull: Equal to or slightly larger than length.
Relationship of height at withers to girth of chest is approximately 7 : 10.


BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT:

Friendly towards humans, calm, noble and very intelligent, at the same time courageous and proud towards strangers from whom he never backs away.
In his behaviour towards other dogs, he is good natured and aware of his superior strength.
Occasionally, he will fight with great skill, an atavistic quality which goes back to hundreds of years of fighting wolves.
His dark bark comes from deep within his chest.
His expression is alert.