This large long-haired Mastiff originated in the southern slope of the Pyreneean mountains, in todays Spain. It was developed in the region of the mountains that stretches from Aragon to Navarra, and the breed was once known as the Navarra Mastiff and as the Mastiff of Cataluna.

The Pyrenean Mastiff must not be confused with the french Great Pyrenees -Pyrenean Mountain Dog, thus they problably have a common ancestor. The region was split between France and Spain in 1659, the french kept the nordern side and the spaniards the southern side, and from that time the mountain Mastiffs separated in two different breeds. The french bred their own way and refined the breed, while the spaniards on the southern side choosed to keep the mastiff according to the tradition.

Further south the closest relative of the Mastín del Pirineo, the Mastin Espanol, were also kept according to the tradition, but because of the long distance between the populations, different moving routes for the herds, and the fact that the two breeds did belong to different kingdoms in the old days, the Mastín del Pirineos and the Mastin Espanol developed different breed characteristics as the years went by.

Spanish, Italian, International & Club CH. World Winner 2001.
Yoni Bi Gud Tajadera Del Tio Roy.
Bred by Rafael Malo Alcrudo, Spain, owned by Mura Milena, Italy.
For more about Yoni you can visit the page of the Molosser of the Month for July 2001.

Since the Pyrenean Mountains were the home for many predators, such as wolves and bears, the Mastín del Pirineos primary work has been to protect the sheep and the shepherd, but also to protect the village and the farms, if a bear should happen to come along.
The Mastín used to wear a "carlanca", a traditional spiked collar, for better protection while defending and guarding the sheeps.
When the wolves and bears began to dissapear from the Pyrenees, around 1930-40, the breed was no longer useful for the shepherds and the breed almost got extinct. But, due to some loval breeders, especially Mr. Rafael Malo Alcrudo, the dog survived and have in modern time gained renewed popularety.
The Club del Mastín del Pirineo de Espana was founded in 1977 and today there is about 4000-5000 Pyrenean Mastiffs in its homeland.

At left; Blasa-Blasa Tajadera Del Tio Roy.
At right; Swedish CH. Swedish Winner 1999 Dimas-Ckaudio Tajadera Del Tio Roy,
86 cm. (33,8 in) at the shoulders, 105 kg. (231 lb)..
Bred and owned by Rafael Malo Alcrudo, Spain.