Common Health Problems in Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a calm, devoted guardian — and a big one. That size, along with the breed's genetics, means predisposition to several serious health conditions, even though Pyrs are relatively long-lived at about 10 to 12 years.

Knowing what your Pyr is most at risk for helps you spot trouble earlier and ask better questions at the vet. Here are the conditions every Great Pyrenees owner should understand. (For the giant-breed overview, see common health problems in giant breeds.)

1. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)

Bloat, or GDV, happens when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself — a true emergency that can turn fatal within hours. As a large, deep-chested breed, the Great Pyrenees falls in the highest-risk category. Warning signs include a swollen abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness, and drooling; it requires immediate emergency care. Read our full guide to bloat in Great Pyrenees, and what you can control.

2. Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, and Elbow Dysplasia

Orthopedic disease is central to the breed's health profile. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common, and — less typical for a big breed — so is patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap. All can lead to the arthritis most Pyrs face with age.

3. Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive neurological disease of the spinal cord that causes weakness and coordination loss in the hind legs. It's painless but relentless, and because it can look like a hip or joint problem, it's frequently mistaken for one. Any progressive rear-end weakness in a Pyr deserves a proper veterinary work-up.

4. Osteosarcoma and Other Cancers

Like most large breeds, Great Pyrenees carry an elevated risk of osteosarcoma (an aggressive bone cancer, often in the limbs) and hemangiosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is among the breed's leading causes of death, typically appearing in middle age. Any persistent, unexplained lameness or a swelling near a joint warrants prompt evaluation.

5. Heart Disease

Great Pyrenees are predisposed to cardiac conditions, notably subaortic stenosis (a congenital narrowing below the aortic valve). Because heart disease can develop quietly, a cardiac evaluation is worth discussing with your veterinarian.

6. Eye Conditions and Heat Sensitivity

The breed can be affected by cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and entropion. And their dense double coat, bred for cold mountains, makes overheating a real and sometimes fatal danger — exercise in cool hours, provide shade and water, and never leave a Pyr in a warm car.

Other Conditions to Be Aware Of

Great Pyrenees can also be affected by hypothyroidism, osteochondritis dissecans during growth, and, occasionally, seizures. This isn't a complete list, but it covers what owners are most likely to encounter.

How to Support Your Great Pyrenees' Long-Term Health

A proactive approach makes a real difference: keep them lean (with hands-on body checks under that coat), preserve muscle, stay consistent with low-impact exercise, improve traction on slippery floors, protect against heat, and stay current on preventive vet care. Start with our Great Pyrenees joint health guide.

The Bottom Line

Great Pyrenees ask a lot of their bodies simply by being big working dogs. Understanding the conditions they're most prone to isn't about worrying — it's about being prepared. The sooner you recognize a problem, the more you and your veterinarian can do about it.

References

American Kennel Club — Great Pyrenees
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-pyrenees/

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Disease Statistics by Breed
https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/.../gastric-dilatation-volvulus-gdv-or-bloat

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About the Author

Sarah McLean is the Co-Founder of The Big Damn Dog Co., a brand built specifically for giant breed dogs and the people who love them. Her work is rooted in one mission: helping big dogs live more, better years.

She didn’t set out to build a dog supplement company. It started with her own Great Dane, Lucy, who came into her life after a rough start and changed everything. What began as a personal commitment to give one dog a better life turned into a larger mission to support giant breed dogs everywhere.

Today, Sarah shares what she’s learned through real-life experience, ongoing research, and countless conversations with veterinarians, trainers, and pet care professionals. Her approach is honest, prevention-focused, and built around the belief that big dogs don’t need more. They need better.