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great pyrenees: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

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UK/ˌɡreɪt ˈpɪr.ɪ.niːz/US/ˌɡreɪt ˌpɪr.əˈniːz/

Formal, Technical (in canine contexts)

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Quick answer

What does “great pyrenees” mean?

A specific breed of large, white livestock guardian dog originating from the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A specific breed of large, white livestock guardian dog originating from the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.

Primarily refers to the specific dog breed. Can occasionally be used as a type designator for other animals (e.g., a Great Pyrenees rabbit) or figuratively to describe something large, white, and imposing from the Pyrenees region. The phrase itself is a proper noun.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

None. As a breed name, it is identical. However, UK sources might occasionally use the historical French name 'Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées' more frequently in certain contexts.

Connotations

Identical: connotations of size, gentleness, guardianship, and the high mountains.

Frequency

Frequency is similar, as it is a well-known breed in both regions. Potentially slightly more common in North America due to popularity as a suburban/ranch guardian dog.

Grammar

How to Use “great pyrenees” in a Sentence

[Owner] has/owns a [Great Pyrenees].The [Great Pyrenees] is [adjective: gentle, protective, massive].The [Great Pyrenees] [verb: guarded, barked, slept].

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
Great Pyrenees dogGreat Pyrenees puppyGreat Pyrenees breedPurebred Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees Club
medium
Rescue a Great PyreneesOwn a Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees temperamentTrain a Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees coat
weak
Large Great PyreneesFriendly Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees ownerGreat Pyrenees weightGreat Pyrenees bark

Examples

Examples of “great pyrenees” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • (Not applicable as a verb)

American English

  • (Not applicable as a verb)

adverb

British English

  • (Not applicable as an adverb)

American English

  • (Not applicable as an adverb)

adjective

British English

  • The Great Pyrenees breed standard specifies a white coat.
  • (Used attributively, still a proper noun)

American English

  • She follows the Great Pyrenees rescue group on social media.
  • (Used attributively, still a proper noun)

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in pet industry marketing, breed-specific product sales, and veterinary businesses.

Academic

Used in zoology, canine genetics, animal behaviour studies, and historical studies of pastoral societies.

Everyday

Used in conversations about pets, dog breeds, farm life, and animal adoption.

Technical

Used in kennel club standards, veterinary medicine, professional dog breeding, and livestock management.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “great pyrenees”

Strong

PyrGP

Neutral

Pyrenean Mountain DogChien de Montagne des PyrénéesLivestock guardian dog

Weak

Big white dogFlock guardianMountain dog

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “great pyrenees”

Toy breedSmall dogHerding dog (e.g., Border Collie)Hunting dog (e.g., Beagle)Non-guardian breed

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “great pyrenees”

  • Incorrect: 'a great pyrenees' (lowercase). Correct: 'a Great Pyrenees'.
  • Incorrect: 'He is a Great Pyrenees dog.' (redundant). Correct: 'He is a Great Pyrenees.'
  • Incorrect plural: 'Great Pyrenees' (unchanged). Correct: 'We have two Great Pyrenees.'

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is both singular and plural. 'One Great Pyrenees', 'Two Great Pyrenees'. The form does not change.

Generally, yes, when properly socialised. They are typically patient and protective, but their large size requires supervision with small children.

They are distinct breeds. The Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog) is French, large, and white. The Pyrenean Mastiff is Spanish, even larger, and has a white coat with distinct markings.

Because it is a proper noun, a specific name for a breed derived from a proper geographic name (the Pyrenees mountains).

A specific breed of large, white livestock guardian dog originating from the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.

Great pyrenees is usually formal, technical (in canine contexts) in register.

Great pyrenees: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈpɪr.ɪ.niːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˌpɪr.əˈniːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “(No common idioms use the breed name. Figurative use is rare, e.g., 'He stood guard like a Great Pyrenees.')”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'A GREAT big guardian from the PYRENEES mountains.' Visualize the large, white dog against a snowy mountain backdrop.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE GUARDIAN AS A MOUNTAIN: Large, immovable, protective, ancient, and weather-resistant.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The is a classic livestock guardian breed, instantly recognisable by its large size and thick white coat.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary historical function of the Great Pyrenees?

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