As the Great Pyrenees continues to grow in popularity, many people are curious to know how much the Great Pyrenees costs. Despite being a huge breed, these dogs may cost even less than small ones.
Generally, there are several factors that may affect their price. These typically include the dog’s pedigree, the breeder’s reputation, and whether the Great Pyrenees has any health conditions.
If you’re interested in owning a Great Pyrenees, this article has everything you need to know. The average puppy price, initial and yearly costs, and the best places to purchase or adopt these massive dogs are featured below.
How Much Does a Great Pyrenees Puppy Cost?
Generally, Great Pyrenees puppy prices are usually lower compared to other breeds. The average cost of Great Pyrenees puppies from a reputable breeder typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. Meanwhile, Great Pyrenees dogs from champion pedigrees can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000.
Although the Great Pyrenees cost less than several other breeds, this does not make it any less of a wonderful companion. These giant breed pups are extremely loyal, affectionate, and keen guardians.
As a breeder myself, my piece of advice when deciding to purchase a Great Pyrenees puppy is to only deal with ethical, responsible, and reputable breeders. Good breeders prioritize the health, safety, and overall well-being of their dogs, unlike puppy mills and backyard breeders.
Further, other factors that may affect the price of a Great Pyrenees puppy are their gender, coat color, bloodlines, and age. Great Pyrenees mixes also generally cost less compared to their purebred counterparts.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Great Pyrenees From a Shelter?
Generally, the average adoption fee for Great Pyrenees costs around $100 to $500. Since a rescue dog may be adopted at a low cost, it is highly encouraged to consider adopting instead of purchasing a new puppy.
Adopting from your local shelter or rescue group is always a great first option when looking to get a new pup. You would be contributing to a good cause and saving money at the same time.
Depending on the shelter or rescue organization, Great Pyrenees adoption fees may already include dog registration, vaccination, and microchipping. These help ensure the health and safety of your dog.
First-Time Expenses of Great Pyrenees Ownership
Aside from the cost of purchasing or adopting Great Pyrenees, there are several other expenses that come with owning and properly caring for these wonderful dogs.
Below are some of the initial expenses a Great Pyrenees dog owner may spend:
- Food and Treats: It is always recommended that pet owners select high-quality dog food rich in nutrients and vitamins. Treats such as puppy chow are also effective tools to reward your Great Pyrenees during obedience training. The average price for food and treats for this large breed typically ranges from $80 to $150.
- Bowls: Investing in high-quality food and water bowls for your Great Pyrenees is highly encouraged. Stainless bowls are some of the best choices since they are durable, easy to clean, and will last a long time. The cost for these items can range from around $15 to $40.
- Toys: Since Great Pyrenees puppies may have high energy levels, purchasing toys is encouraged to keep both their bodies and minds sharp and active. It is recommended to select durable, sturdy, and high-quality chew toys that don’t easily break, as these may become choking hazards. These items may range from around $30 to $100.
- Beds: Pet owners are encouraged to only select high-quality beds for their Great Pyrenees since this breed is typically prone to both elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. Great Pyrenees dogs are also known as gentle giants, which is why they require a large and comfortable bed where they can simply relax. These usually cost around $50 to $300.
- Collars and Leashes: Similar to other dog breeds, Great Pyrenees dogs require regular walks to help them maintain a healthy weight and keep them active. Sturdy leashes and collars are recommended to handle the strength, size, and weight of a Great Pyrenees. These items would cost around $15 to $50.
- Crates and Carriers: A high-quality crate and carrier are helpful when you need to take your Great Pyrenees puppies to the vet or other places that are too far for them to walk to. The cost range for these items is typically around $60 to $500.
- Grooming Essentials: Great Pyrenees owners are encouraged to invest in high-quality grooming essentials to ensure proper coat care. Since these large dogs have a weather-resistant double coat that may have moderate to high levels of shedding, regular grooming is required. These essentials may cost around $50 to $250.
- Initial Vet Visits: Prioritizing the health of your pup is a must which is why going on regular veterinary check-ups is highly recommended. Routine check-ups and other necessary supplements may range from around $100 to $500.
- Initial Vaccine Shots: Age-appropriate vaccine shots are one of the first things to get for your Great Pyrenees puppies. This helps prevent several life-threatening health issues and boosts their immune systems at a very early age. These typically cost around $50 to $300.
- Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Since Great Pyrenees pups have thick and long coats, they are often prone to catching parasites. Pet owners are advised to keep their dogs free from these harmful parasites with the proper use of medications, shampoos, or soaps. These may range from $40 to $300.
- Neutering or Spaying: Having your Great Pyrenees neutered or spayed at a very young age is often advised or required by veterinarians and breeders. This is also highly recommended if you have no plans of breeding your dog. Depending on your selected veterinarian, these procedures may range from $50 to $500.
- Microchipping: A microchip contains all the relevant information about your dog and you as the owner. This is also extremely useful in the instance that your Great Pyrenees ever gets lost. It is a tiny device that is implanted in your dog’s skin and is typically registered at your local or national pet recovery database. This usually costs around $40 to $60.
- Dog License: Aside from a microchip, dog owners may also avail of a dog license that contains a special identification number that can easily be traced if ever your Great Pyrenees gets lost. The license and registration fee may cost around $10 to $20.
- Other Essentials: Cleaning items and maintenance materials, including poop scoopers, carpet cleaners, poop bags, and odor neutralizers, are some tools you would typically need when owning a Great Pyrenees. These items usually cost around $30 to $80.
To give you a better overview, below is a table summarizing all the initial expenses of owning a Great Pyrenees dog:
Type of Expense | Cost |
Food and Treats | $80 – $150 |
Bowls | $15 – $40 |
Toys | $30 – $100 |
Beds | $50 – $300 |
Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
Crates and Carriers | $60 – $500 |
Grooming Essentials | $50 – $250 |
Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
Dog License | $10 – $20 |
Other Essentials | $30 – $80 |
Total Initial Cost | $620 – $3,150 |
Dog owners are encouraged to invest in durable and high-quality items that will last a long time. Avoid purchasing cheap items that easily break, as these may be dangerous to your pup and result in several repeat purchases.
Although the list of expenses may seem long and costly, the majority are only one-time expenses after purchasing or adopting your Great Pyrenees. These include microchipping, neutering or spaying, and a dog license.
Annual Cost of Owning a Great Pyrenees
As your Great Pyrenees grows and undergoes several changes, so do its needs. Catering to its development and evolving necessities incurs annual expenses that may differ from the initial ones.
The common annual recurring expenditures of owning a dog typically include food and treats, routine veterinary care, and grooming.
To give you an overview, below is a table summarizing the annual expenses of owning a Great Pyrenees:
Type of Expense | Yearly Estimate |
Food and Treats | $900 – $1,500 |
Routine Veterinary Care | $200 – $600 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $150 – $500 |
Vaccinations | $100 – $250 |
Grooming Essentials | $200 – $600 |
Leashes and Collars | $50 – $100 |
Beds and Crates | $300 – $800 |
Toys | $100 – $300 |
Pet Insurance | $800 – $1,500 |
Other Essentials | $50 – $100 |
Yearly Total | $2,850 – $6,250 |
Average Monthly Cost | $237 – $520 |
Food and treats, routine veterinary care, and pet insurance are some of the highest-priced expenses listed on the table. Despite this, they are the most important expenses since these ensure the health of your Great Pyrenees.
In order to save more money and prepare for unexpected emergencies and medical expenses, Great Pyrenees owners are also encouraged to invest in pet insurance.
In order to come up with an estimation of how much you’d need to set aside for your pup’s long-term needs, you can multiply the estimated annual expenses by its average life expectancy, which is 8 to 10 years.
Other Potential Expenses to Consider
Aside from the initial and annual expenses of owning a Great Pyrenees, there are other potential expenses that may arise. These aren’t typically required but can become useful in caring for your dog.
Listed below are a few other potential expenses you may encounter when owning a Great Pyrenees:
- Training: Although most dog breeds learn effortlessly with basic training at home, not all dogs are fast learners with quick wits. Some owners prefer to have their Great Pyrenees taught by professional dog trainers to see quicker and more effective results. Training fees usually cost around $60 to $500.
- Dog Walking: There may be days when you can’t personally take your dog on a walk. If so, hiring a dog walker could be one solution. Dog walkers typically offer different time durations to choose from. Prices usually range from $30 to $45 for a 30-minute walk, depending on your location.
- Dog Sitting: Similar to dog walking, an instance or event may arise where you need to travel but can’t bring your Great Pyrenees dog with you. These situations are where dog sitters become extremely useful. Owners may hire dog sitters to take care of their dogs while they’re away. Their rates usually range from $15 to $30, depending on the location.
- Travel Expenses: If you enjoy traveling with your Great Pyrenees or have a service dog that needs to be by your side at all times, prepare to pay additional fees for transportation and accommodation that entertain dogs. These travel costs typically range from around $60 to $500.
- Emergency Medical Expenses: It is highly encouraged for owners to prepare a separate fund for their Great Pyrenees in case of any medical emergency. Since this large dog breed can be prone to several health problems, owners must be prepared for any unexpected situation. A budget of $1,000 to $5,000 is a good amount to save for emergency medications and procedures.
Setting aside a dedicated fund for unexpected expenses for your Great Pyrenees is extremely useful. This keeps you prepared for any sudden situations and keeps you from spending outside of your means.
Best Places to Find Great Pyrenees Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Once you’ve decided that the Great Pyrenees is the perfect breed for you, it is now time to select the best place to purchase or adopt these puppies.
Listed below are some of the most reputable online sources that offer Great Pyrenees puppies for sale:
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace – The American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace features over a hundred Great Pyrenees puppy listings that include the dog’s location, age, color, and other important details. They are one of the most well-known and credible online sources for purchasing purebred dogs.
- Great Pyrenees Club of America Breeder Referrals – The Great Pyrenees Club of America (GPCA) is the breed parent club that promotes and protects Great Pyrenees dogs, sponsors educational programs, and provides referral services that feature the information of responsible member breeders.
- Good Dog – Good Dog is an online community of trusted and ethical breeders who are committed to the welfare, health, and safety of dogs. They only feature responsible and reputable breeders who make conscientious decisions when breeding. Around 80 Great Pyrenees puppy listings are currently posted on their website.
Aside from purchasing from a reputable breeder, you may also adopt from your local shelter or rescue organization. Listed below are a few trusted sources where you may find a Great Pyrenees dog up for adoption:
- National Great Pyrenees Rescue (NGPR) – The NGPR is a non-profit organization whose mission is to save rescued Great Pyrenees dogs and rehome them with loving and safe individuals or families. They strive to address the rescue geographic imbalance by transferring animals in overburdened regions across state lines to areas with more potential adoption opportunities.
- Great Pyrenees Rescue Society (GPRS) – The Great Pyrenees Rescue Society (GPRS) is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of Great Pyrenees dogs whose lives were in danger. Most of their rescue dogs are saved from kill shelters and are rehomed to devoted and loving families.
- Rescue Me! – Rescue Me! is a network of people from across the country who are dedicated to helping all breeds of dogs, cats, and different animals find good, caring, and loving homes. They feature one of the world’s largest and most up-to-date directories for animal rescue organizations.
It is always highly recommended to adopt a dog from your local shelter or rescue organization. You would be contributing to a worthwhile cause and saving money as well.
Money-Saving Tips for Great Pyrenees Owners
Once you’ve decided where to purchase your Great Pyrenees, it’s time to learn some tips and techniques on how to save money when owning and caring for your large dog.
Below are some tips you can follow to save cost on Great Pyrenees ownership:
- Train your Great Pyrenees at home. Although professional dog trainers can yield quick results, it is still possible and effective to train your Great Pyrenees at home. Numerous websites feature videos, photos, and articles on how to efficiently and properly conduct obedience training in the comfort of your home. Doing so could also become a fun bonding experience for you and your dog.
- Groom your Great Pyrenees at home. Due to their long, fluffy, and thick coats, grooming is one of the most expensive recurring costs of caring for Great Pyrenees. Dog owners are encouraged to invest in high-quality grooming tools that can easily be used at home. Several guide videos on grooming are available online.
- Invest in high-quality items. As mentioned in the previous sections, dog owners are always recommended to invest in high-quality items. Although they tend to be costly, the durability and quality are worth the price difference. Cheap items often break easily, which could pose a danger to your dog and result in several repeated long-term expenses.
- Make homemade treats. Like many other breeds, dog food and treats are some of the largest expenses when owning a Great Pyrenees. A good way to save money is by making homemade organic options and treats. When doing so, make sure to have a list of the food and ingredients dogs aren’t allowed to eat to avoid poisoning.
Although finding ways to save money is typically a good practice, your Great Pyrenees pup’s quality of life should never be compromised or sacrificed in the process for the sake of lessening expenses.
Final Thoughts
The Great Pyrenees is one of the most loving, friendly, and loyal companions you can ever have. Aside from its budget-friendly price compared to other breeds, its sweet nature definitely makes this massive dog a wonderful pet.
Adopting from your local shelter or rescue organization is always a great first option when deciding to get a Great Pyrenees. Meanwhile, you may also choose to adopt from good and reputable breeders with ethical practices.
Although owning a Great Pyrenees is fun, people must also keep in mind that owning and caring for a dog, especially a large one, is a full-time responsibility that should never be taken lightly or for granted.
If you own a Great Pyrenees, we would love to hear all about your experience in the comments below! All questions regarding their costs, prices, and expenses are also welcome.