NEPR educates owners and the public about the unique characteristics of the
Great Pyrenees. As a breed-related rescue group, NorthEast Pyr Rescue stresses education about the breed. We emphasize the importance of fully exploring this breed BEFORE deciding to adopt.
Many Pyrs come to rescue because owners “didn’t do their homework” and were unaware of the unique breed characteristics including protection, territorial marking and barking.
Pyrs are beautiful and loving to their caregivers but they are independent minded, they shed, bark (a lot!), are very difficult to train for off-leash hiking and roam if not fenced. Therefore, our rescued dogs are placed only with responsible families who understand the breeds’ qualities including their protective nature.
Whether re-homed as a companion dog with a loving family or as a livestock guardian on a working farm, we strive to place good canine citizens.
ALL education emphasizes the importance of spaying / neutering to reduce the number of unwanted Pyrs in the North East. Our policy requires all Pyrs to be spayed or neutered prior to permanent placement.
Education also emphasizes the rewards of opening your heart and home to an adolescent or adult rescued Great Pyrenees rather than a puppy. The advantage of a rescued adult is that you know exactly the characteristics of that dog. While puppies are adorable, they do not fully mature for 2-3 years and their qualities and traits are not known until that time.
However, if you are determined to purchase a puppy we will recommend reputable breeders in our area. Do NOT purchase puppies from pet stores OR from outside regions on the Internet. The purchase of puppies from pet stores promulgates the cruelty of puppy mills and also, the quality of these puppies is generally poor.
The Great Pyrenees is the only live stock guardian sold in Pet Stores and this is due to their beauty that pulls at the heartstrings of potential buyers. These purchased ‘pet-store Pyrs’ often have serious physical or temperament problems and are more expensive than buying from a reputable breeder.
Reputable breeders do NOT sell/ship puppies to strangers from the Internet outside their region. In addition, they have written steadfast health and temperament guarantees and allow you to meet and see the parents and grandparents of the puppy.
Call our toll-free line and we will recommend a reliable and reputable breeder who offers written guarantees. Working with reputable breeders assures that the puppy you adopt will never enter rescue or a shelter in our area.