This breed needs thorough grooming at least once a week. In addition, the Great Pyrenees should always be groomed thoroughly before bathing. The coat consists of a profuse undercoat of very fine hair and an outer coat of longer, coarser-textured hair that is weather-resistant.

The coat is thick, straight or slightly wavy, but it is never curly or fuzzy. The Great Pyrenees color is mainly white with patches of badger, wolf gray or pale yellow.

The Process of Grooming

Equipment needed: Pin brush, wide-toothed comb and a fine-toothed comb (the finer-toothed version is for knots around the ears).

Breed tip: A huge breed, the Great Pyrenees puppy must get used to grooming from a young age; persuading a reluctant adult to be bathed is not an easy feat.

• Brush through the entire coat with a pin brush. Be extra vigilant at getting underneath the body and in the breeches, as you must ensure you remove dead hairs that will otherwise cause clogging.
• After brushing, comb with a wide-toothed comb.
• Bathe the dog in a white-enhancing shampoo (but use an ordinary shampoo before a show, as most kennel club rules state that no substance is allowed to be used that will alter the coat).
• Rinse thoroughly.
• If possible, allow the dog to shake a good
 deal of the water from its coat.
• Towel-dry with a super absorbent towel.
• After removing the excess moisture with a towel, use a domestic hair-dryer to dry the rest of the coat. While you are drying the coat, smooth down the hair with the brush so the topcoat lies close and flat to the undercoat.
• Complete the drying process with warm air or with a blower.
• Do not forget to check the dog’s nails, ears and teeth.
• Finally, brush over the coat once again, using a spray conditioner if required.