Field researcher, animal behavior specialist, and Dog lover
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If you’re considering a Great Pyrenees Bloodhound mix, you’re looking at an intriguing combination that brings together two powerful scent-driven breeds with very different working histories. The Great Pyrenees was bred to guard livestock independently in the mountains, while the Bloodhound is one of the most accomplished tracking dogs on the planet. This mix isn’t common, and honestly, that’s probably a good thing—it’s a lot of dog for the average owner. What I find fascinating about this cross is how it blends the Pyrenees’ calm, watchful guardian instincts with the Bloodhound’s relentless nose and determination. But let me be clear: this isn’t a dog you get on a whim. You’re committing to a large, independent thinker who needs space, purpose, and an owner who understands working breeds.
The Great Pyrenees was developed to protect sheep from predators in the harsh Pyrenees mountains, often working alone for days. That independent streak runs deep. These dogs are calm, patient, and incredibly loyal to their family, but they’re not biddable lap dogs. They were bred to make decisions without human input, which means they can be stubborn as hell if they don’t see the point of what you’re asking.
Size-wise, you’re looking at 85-115 pounds and 25-32 inches tall. They have that gorgeous thick white coat that sheds year-round and explodes twice a year. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and bloat. Their lifespan typically runs 10-12 years.
Bloodhounds are scent hounds extraordinaire—their tracking ability is so respected it’s admissible in court. These dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors (compared to our measly 5 million), and once they’re on a trail, good luck redirecting them. They’re gentle, affectionate, and surprisingly social with people and other dogs, but their nose rules their world.
They’re slightly smaller than Pyrs at 80-110 pounds and 23-27 inches, with that distinctive wrinkled face and long ears. The droopy skin and ears need regular cleaning to prevent infections. Hip dysplasia, bloat, and eye issues like ectropion and entropion are common. They typically live 10-12 years.
Expect a large dog—likely 80-120 pounds and 24-30 inches at the shoulder. Males will trend toward the upper end. The build will probably lean more toward the Pyrenees’ sturdy frame than the Bloodhound’s lankier structure, but you never really know with F1 crosses until they’re fully grown.
The coat is where things get interesting. You might get the Pyr’s thick double coat, the Bloodhound’s shorter dense coat, or something in between. Color-wise, expect variations of white, cream, tan, or red—possibly with darker markings. If your pup inherits the Bloodhound’s facial wrinkles and the Pyrenees’ coat volume, you’ve got some serious grooming ahead of you.
Shedding will be significant regardless of which parent they favor. Budget for brushing several times a week, more during spring and fall. If you’re house-proud or allergic, this mix isn’t for you. Between the coat and the drool potential from the Bloodhound side, be prepared for a dog that leaves their mark on your home.
The Pyrenees side brings a natural protective instinct that’s both a feature and a potential challenge. These dogs are watchful and will alert you to anything unusual—and their definition of “unusual” might include the neighbor taking out their trash at 10 PM. They’re not aggressive by nature, but they’re territorial and will position themselves between their family and perceived threats.
This protective nature needs early socialization or it can tip into suspicion of strangers. You want a dog who’s confident and discerning, not reactive and anxious. Start socializing from puppyhood—not just with people, but with different environments, sounds, and situations.
The Bloodhound contribution means you’re getting a dog with an extraordinary nose and the determination to follow it. This is honestly the most exciting part for me—this mix has serious potential for nosework, tracking, and search activities. But it also means your dog might catch a scent on a walk and completely tune you out.
In my experience with scent-driven breeds, a tired nose is just as important as a tired body. If your dog doesn’t have an outlet for that tracking drive, they’ll find one—probably by following every scent trail in your neighborhood while you’re desperately calling them back. A solid recall is essential, and honestly, I’d recommend keeping this mix on a long line in unfenced areas unless you’ve done extensive training.
Both parent breeds are generally good with children and can be wonderful family dogs, but this mix needs proper introductions and supervision. The Pyrenees patience combined with the Bloodhound’s gentle nature usually creates a tolerant dog, but their size alone means they can accidentally knock over small kids.
With other dogs, you’re likely looking at a fairly social animal thanks to the Bloodhound influence, though the Pyrenees’ guardian instinct might create some territoriality at home. Cat relationships depend heavily on early socialization—the Bloodhound’s prey drive is typically lower than many hound breeds, which helps.
Don’t let the Pyrenees’ calm demeanor fool you—this mix needs daily exercise, probably 60-90 minutes minimum. But here’s the thing: it’s not about running them ragged. Both parent breeds are marathon workers, not sprinters. Long walks, hiking, and especially scent work are ideal.
What I find works beautifully with mixes like this is incorporating their natural abilities into exercise. Hide-and-seek games, scent trails, and nosework challenges will tire out their brain and satisfy that working dog instinct. A physically tired dog is manageable; a mentally satisfied dog is happy.
The Pyrenees side can be fairly laid-back between activities, which is a nice counterbalance to some higher-energy breeds. They’re not going to bounce off the walls if they miss a day occasionally, but chronic under-exercise will lead to boredom behaviors—digging, barking, destructive chewing. If you’re looking at breeds with similar tracking abilities but different energy profiles, a Bloodhound Pointer mix might be worth researching as an alternative.
Both parent breeds were developed to work independently, which creates a dog who’s perfectly capable of ignoring your commands if they don’t see the relevance. The Pyrenees in particular was bred to assess situations and act without human direction. That’s fantastic when they’re actually guarding your property; it’s frustrating when you’re trying to teach basic obedience.
You need patience and a willingness to make training worthwhile for your dog. Harsh corrections won’t work—they’ll just shut down or become more stubborn. Positive reinforcement, consistency, and making yourself more interesting than whatever they’re focused on is key. Food motivation varies; some individuals are highly food-driven (Bloodhound side), others less so (Pyrenees side).
I cannot stress this enough: early and ongoing socialization is critical with this mix. The protective instinct needs to be shaped into confidence rather than reactivity. Expose your puppy to different people, dogs, environments, and situations in a positive way during their critical socialization window (roughly 3-14 weeks).
This isn’t a dog you can just raise in your backyard and expect to be well-adjusted. They need to learn that strangers aren’t threats, that other dogs are okay, and that the world is a safe place. Skip this, and you risk ending up with a fearful or overly protective adult dog that’s difficult to manage.
Both parent breeds share some common health concerns, which means this mix is at moderate to high risk for certain conditions. Hip and elbow dysplasia are concerns from both sides. Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is a serious risk in deep-chested large breeds—feed smaller meals, avoid exercise right after eating, and know the signs.
From the Bloodhound side, watch for skin fold infections if your dog inherits those wrinkles, plus eye issues like ectropion (outward rolling eyelids) and entropion (inward rolling). The Pyrenees contributes potential for patellar luxation and certain genetic conditions like multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1).
Before getting a puppy, responsible breeders should provide health clearances for both parents—OFA or PennHIP scores for hips, elbow clearances, and eye exams at minimum. If you’re looking at a rescue or uncertain breeding, budget for potential health issues. Lifespan is typically 10-12 years, which is fairly standard for large breeds.
Veterinary costs for large breeds run higher—more anesthesia for procedures, higher medication doses, more food, larger equipment. Budget $1,000-2,000 annually for routine care, more if health issues develop. Pet insurance is worth considering given the breed predispositions.
If your mix inherits the Pyrenees coat, you’re looking at significant grooming requirements. That thick double coat needs brushing at least 2-3 times weekly, daily during heavy shedding seasons. The undercoat will mat if neglected, and trying to brush out mats on a 100-pound dog is nobody’s idea of fun.
The Bloodhound contribution might bring facial wrinkles and those long ears. Wrinkles need regular cleaning to prevent bacterial or yeast infections—use a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Ears should be checked and cleaned weekly; those long floppy ears trap moisture and create perfect conditions for infections.
Drooling potential varies but lean toward expecting some, especially if your dog inherits the Bloodhound’s jowls. Keep towels handy and accept that your furniture may never be pristine again. Nail trimming every 3-4 weeks is essential—large dogs on soft surfaces won’t wear them down naturally, and long nails affect their gait and joint health.
This mix needs space—an apartment isn’t ideal unless it’s large and you’re extremely committed to multiple daily outings. A house with a securely fenced yard is much better. That fence needs to be solid and at least 5-6 feet tall; Pyrenees are known for their climbing and escape abilities when motivated.
These dogs are adapted to cooler climates thanks to the Pyrenees heritage. Hot, humid environments require careful management—exercise during cooler parts of the day, provide shade and water, watch for overheating. The thick coat is an insulator but can become a liability in heat.
Noise tolerance is another consideration. If your dog inherits the Pyrenees’ vocal nature, expect barking—they were bred to warn off predators, and they take that job seriously. This can be an issue in suburban neighborhoods with close neighbors. Training can help manage it, but you’re working against instinct.
This mix is best suited for experienced dog owners who understand and respect working breeds. If you appreciate independence, have the patience for training dogs who think for themselves, and want a dog with a job to do, this could work beautifully. Ideal owners have space, time for exercise and training, and realistic expectations about guardian breeds.
You should not get this mix if you want a highly obedient dog who hangs on your every word, if you live in a small apartment, if you’re away from home most of the day, or if you’re not willing to commit to serious socialization and training. First-time dog owners should think very carefully—this isn’t an impossible first dog, but it’s definitely on the challenging end of the spectrum.
If you want a dog for formal obedience competition or off-leash reliability in all situations, look elsewhere. If you want a loyal companion for hiking and outdoor activities, a natural guardian for your property, and a dog with impressive working ability, this mix has real potential.
This is a rare cross, so finding one requires patience. Responsible breeders of this specific mix are uncommon—you’re more likely to find accidental litters or purpose-bred working crosses. If you do find a breeder, ask about health testing on both parents, meet the parent dogs if possible, and ask about temperament evaluation.
Expect to pay $500-1,500 from a breeder, though prices vary widely based on location and the breeder’s reputation. Be wary of anyone charging premium “designer dog” prices for what is essentially a working cross without standardization.
Your best bet might be rescue organizations—check Great Pyrenees and Bloodhound breed-specific rescues, as they sometimes take in mixes. General large breed rescues and shelters occasionally have these crosses. Adoption fees typically run $150-400 and usually include initial vetting.
Avoid puppy mills and pet stores, obviously. Any legitimate breeder should welcome questions, provide health documentation, and be as interested in evaluating you as you are in getting a puppy. If someone has puppies available immediately with no questions asked, walk away.
Daily life means long morning walks where your dog investigates every scent while you practice patience. It means a dog who positions themselves where they can watch the door and alerts you to every delivery truck. It means shedding—so much shedding—and accepting that dog hair is now a condiment in your home.
It also means a deeply loyal companion who’s calm in the house once their needs are met, who’s gentle with your kids, and who has impressive working ability if you tap into it. These dogs form strong bonds with their families and take their guardian role seriously without being aggressive.
You’ll spend time on grooming, training, and providing mental stimulation. You’ll need to manage their environment—securing your yard, being thoughtful about introductions to new people and dogs. But in return, you get a dog with substance, purpose, and remarkable capabilities.
