On this page you will find a variety of articles, ranging from scientific papers to breeder interviews. If you are involved with Pyrenean Shepherds in any way, whether as a judge, breeder or owner, we hope that you will take the time to read all of them in order to expand your knowledge of the breed.
GENERAL BREED INFO
The Pyrenean Shepherd (From The New Complete Dog Book: Official Breed Standards and All-New Profiles for 200 Breeds – 21st edition – © 201 AKC)
Congratulations on Your New Pyrenean Shepherd
SPECIFIC BREED INFO
Cadenette Article – Susan Buttivant (Chaparral) – (Published by permission of the author – July 2016)
Essentially Pyrenean Shepherd – Susan Buttivant (Chaparral) – (Published by permission of the author – November 2016)
Heads & Expression Article – Olivier Matz (du Picourlet) – (Published by permission of the author – July 2016)
Uncoiffed & Unscissored – – (Published by permission of the author – July 2016)
BREEDER INTERVIEWS & MISCELLANY
Estaubé Dogs – (Transcribed from personal conversations with Guy Mansencal)
Miscellaneous Comments – Guy Mansencal – Estaubé – (Transcribed from personal conversations with Guy Mansencal)
Interview with M. Guy Mansencal – Estaubé – (Translated and used by permission of the CABP (Belgium) Bulletin No. 25 – Sept 2009)
Interview with Valérie Narcy – de la Devette Pastourelle – (Reprinted from the PSCA newsletter – Interview Sept 2011)
HEALTH & GENETICS
CHIC Numbers (Reprint from the PSCA newsletter)
So what is a CHIC number and why do I need one?… So what does having a CHIC number really mean?
CHIC DNA (Reprint from the PSCA newsletter)
So what is a CHIC DNA and why do I need one?… I have already done an AKC DNA, why do I need to do this?… What do I need to do to get a CHIC DNA sample?
Uncommon Breeding Strategies (Rhonda Hovan – OFA Board of Directors)
Summary – ..All breeds face complex challenges in attempting to achieve goals of correct conformation, temperament, type, and movement – along with good health – this can be especially daunting for breeders of rare breeds or breeds with small numbers.
The Merle Gene in the Pyrenean Shepherd (Reprint from the PSCA newsletter)
Intro – As in many other breeds, the Pyrenean Shepherd is a breed that includes the distinctive merle color pattern. In France and many other European countries, this color is limited to blue merle (called harlequin in France). The standard in the US allows for “merles of diverse tones”, which includes blue merles, brindle merles, and fawn merles.
Managing the Carriers – Pt. 2 (Carmen Battaglia)
HEALTH & GENETICS RESEARCH PAPERS
Abstract – The features of modern dog breeds that increase the ease of mapping common diseases, such as reduced heterogeneity and extensive linkage disequilibrium, may also increase the difficulty associated with fine mapping and identifying causative mutations. One way to address this problem is by combining data from multiple breeds segregating the same trait after initial linkage has been determined….
Genetic diversity of dog breeds: within-breed diversity comparing genealogical and molecular data (G. Leroy, E. Verrier, J. C. Meriaux and X. Rognon)
Summary – The genetic diversity of 61 dog breeds raised in France was investigated. Genealogical analyses were performed on the pedigree file of the French kennel club….it was concluded that special efforts should be made to maintain diversity for three breeds, namely the Berger des Pyrenees, Braque Saint-Germain and Bull Terrier.
Genetic variability in French dog breeds assessed by pedigree data (G. Leroy, X. Rognon, A. Varlet, C. Joffrin & E. Verrier)
Summary – Pedigree data of nine French dog breeds, namely Barbet (BAR), Basset fauve de Bretagne (BAF), Beauceron (BEN), Berger des Pyrenees (BRP), Bouledogue Franc ̧ais (BUF), Braque Saint-Germain (BQG), Dogue de Bordeaux (DOB), Epagneul Breton (EPB) and Montagne des Pyrenees (MOP), were analysed… The results are discussed in relation with the demographic situation and the use of each breed. The method used to class an endangered breed and the ways to preserve the genetic variability, when necessary, are evoked.
Retrotransposon insertion in SILV is responsible for merle patterning of the domestic dog (Leigh Anne Clark, Jacquelyn M. Wahl, Christine A. Rees, and Keith E. Murphy)
Intro – Merle is a pattern of coloring observed in the coat of the domestic dog and is characterized by patches of diluted pigment. This trait is inherited in an autosomal, incompletely dominant fashion. Dogs heterozygous or homozygous for the merle locus exhibit a wide range of auditory and ophthalmologic abnormalities… (NOTE: The Pyrenean Shepherd is referenced in this article.)
TRANSHUMANCE
The transhumance is an important part of the history of the breed. Understanding it can greatly expand your knowledge of the breed. Below are some links to websites and videos where you can learn more about this.
Les Quatre Saisons du Berger (The Four Seasons of the Shepherd) – this documentary follows a Alfonso Ousteau, a shepherd of the French Pyrenees, through a year of his life. It covers the transhumance, and his life as a shepherd. This film is a “must see” for anyone interested in the breed.
Le Route de Transhumance (The Route of the Transhumance) – Follow 2 shepherds and 600 sheep on their nearly 175 mile journey. The website is linked here and the film is found below.