Pyrenean Shepherds are intensely bonded, very high‑energy herding dogs, so at check‑in they may present as restless, vocal, or "clingy," especially if separated from their owner or under‑exercised. Busy lobbies can heighten arousal, which may look like panting, pacing, whining, or nonstop scanning; they often settle better with calm, confident handling and with the owner in view. Owners may downplay stress as just being "excited," but stress can influence how other signs show up (e.g., GI/skin/urinary changes). If an owner reports sudden disorientation, collapse, heat distress, or rapidly escalating aggression, alert a clinician immediately and triage as urgent.
Front desk script: This breed bonds closely and can be very energetic, so if your dog seems extra vocal or restless here, that’s common. Would you like to stay where they can see you, or use a quieter area while we check you in? I’ll note any handling preferences (calm approach, minimal separation). If you notice sudden confusion, collapse, overheating, or fast‑worsening aggression today, please tell me right away so I can alert the medical team.
Pyrenean Shepherds are generally healthy, but the breed is flagged by its parent club and AKC for higher-than-average risk of orthopedic issues (hip dysplasia, patellar luxation) and hereditary eye disease; recommended screening for breeding dogs includes hip, patella, and annual ophthalmologist evaluations, with some breeders also doing cardiac checks. For front-desk triage, watch for owner reports of new hind-limb limping or a “skipping” gait (book an exam) and, most critically, any red, painful, or suddenly cloudy eye or sudden vision change—these ocular signs are emergencies and should be escalated immediately.
Front desk script: This breed is typically robust, but they do have known risks for hip/patella issues and inherited eye disease, so routine wellness and eye checks are important. If you notice a red, painful, or suddenly cloudy eye, or a sudden change in vision, please seek emergency care right away. For new limping or a ‘skipping’ hind-leg gait, we can arrange a same-day or next-available appointment.
Small, high‑energy herding dogs that bond closely to their people and can be wary of strangers; they do best with daily vigorous exercise, training, and early socialization. Two coat types (rough‑faced and smooth‑faced) with moderate shedding; brush weekly (rough‑faced may need more). The Parent Club recommends breed‑screening before breeding or when selecting a puppy: OFA hips, OFA patellas, and an annual ACVO/CAER eye exam (CHIC). Seek immediate care for collapse, heat distress, sudden severe eye pain/redness, trouble breathing, or a first‑time seizure.
Front desk script: Pyrenean Shepherds are small, very active herding dogs that need daily exercise and training and may be reserved with strangers. For breeder or puppy questions, ask for OFA hip and patella results and a recent ACVO/CAER eye certification per the Parent Club’s recommendations—we can help coordinate these screenings. If your Pyr Shep collapses, struggles to breathe, shows a red/painful eye, or has a first seizure, go to the emergency clinic now and call us on the way.
High-energy Pyrenean Shepherds frequently prompt front-desk calls for activity-related limping after agility or rough play; eye redness, squinting, or debris irritation; busy/noisy behavior concerns (boredom, alert barking) and routine wellness needs (vaccines, parasite prevention, nail/coat care). Owners also ask about breed health screenings noted for eyes and hips/elbows. Escalate immediately if the caller reports a closed or very painful/bulging eye, a leg the dog will not use (non–weight-bearing), or an active/repeated seizure—these warrant emergency evaluation.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Pyrenean Shepherds are very active, so we often see eye irritation and limping after play, plus questions about behavior and routine care. If the eye is held shut or looks very painful, your dog won’t put weight on a leg, or there’s an ongoing/repeated seizure, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now. Otherwise, I can book a same‑day visit and ask a few triage questions (when it started, any injury, ability to bear weight, appetite/energy).
Pyrenean Shepherds come in two coat varieties: Rough-Faced (long or demi‑long) and Smooth-Faced; the long Rough-Faced coat can naturally form flat, wide cords (cadenettes), especially on the elbows, croup, and thighs. Operationally, expect regular home brushing and a standing bath/brush/trim schedule; Rough-Faced coats generally need more frequent professional maintenance than Smooth-Faced coats to prevent matting. Front desk should confirm the dog’s coat type and set recurring grooming appointments, and consider referral to a groomer experienced with corded or cord‑prone coats. Escalate to the medical team if mats are tight/painful or if skin looks red, swollen, weepy, foul‑smelling, or if parasites are seen—these can’t wait.
Front desk script: To help us plan grooming, does your Pyrenean Shepherd have the Rough-Faced (longer) or Smooth-Faced (shorter) coat? We recommend regular home brushing and setting a recurring bath/brush/trim schedule; Rough-Faced coats often need more frequent professional care. If you’re noticing tight mats, red or oozing skin, a strong odor, or your dog seems painful, we’ll route you to our medical team for same-day evaluation. We can also refer you to a groomer experienced with corded or cord‑prone coats.
Pyrenean Shepherds are high‑energy herding dogs; for intake, note that the parent club and AKC list hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and inherited eye disease as core screening areas, so callers mentioning hind‑leg limping or “skipping,” stiffness after activity, or eye redness/cloudiness should be routed for prompt general‑practice evaluation and ophthalmic triage as needed. Capture whether the dog does agility/herding (higher soft‑tissue/orthopedic risk), any seizure history, and any prior eye or orthopedic findings. Ask if the pet has ever had unusual reactions to medications or MDR1 genetic testing (herding breeds can carry drug‑sensitivity variants) so the DVM can plan diagnostics/sedation appropriately. Expect anxious/reactive behaviors in clinic; note handling preferences and consider scheduling a quieter time slot for fearful dogs.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Pyrenean Shepherd—because this breed commonly has screening for hips, patellas, and eyes, I’ll book you with a GP exam and note any limping, “skipping” on a hind leg, or eye changes so the doctor can prioritize. Has your dog ever had seizures, eye cloudiness/redness, or medication sensitivities or MDR1 testing? If you are seeing collapse, an active seizure, sudden vision loss, or severe non–weight‑bearing pain right now, this may be an emergency—please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital while I alert the team.
Pyrenean Shepherd owners’ needs shift by life stage: Puppies/young adults need a series of wellness visits to complete core vaccines, parasite screens/prevention, microchip, growth/behavior check‑ins, and a spay/neuter timing conversation; expect multiple appointments several weeks apart until the DVM marks the series complete. Active adult Pyr Sheps typically move to routine preventive care (annual wellness with vaccine/parasite updates) and may ask about sport/herding readiness—offer to book pre‑season wellness/dental cleanings and rechecks if activity increases. Seniors transition to more frequent wellness touchpoints (often once or twice yearly per DVM) with screening labs and extra appointment time; owners commonly ask about mobility, cognition, weight/appetite changes, and home adjustments. Escalate immediately if the pet has breathing trouble, collapse, seizures, a severely bloated abdomen with unproductive retching, cannot urinate, severe pain, or nonstop vomiting/diarrhea—advise emergency evaluation now and alert the medical team.
Front desk script: For puppies, we’ll schedule a series of vet visits several weeks apart to finish vaccines, parasite checks, and growth/behavior check‑ins; I’ll set reminders and we’ll confirm spay/neuter timing with the doctor. For adults, we’ll book routine wellness and preventive updates, and if your Pyr Shep is doing agility or herding, I can schedule a pre‑season check. For seniors, the doctor often recommends wellness every 6–12 months with screening tests; I can set those up and note any mobility or behavior changes you’re seeing. If you ever notice trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, a hard swollen belly with retching, inability to urinate, severe pain, or nonstop vomiting/diarrhea, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now and call us on the way so we can coordinate.
Expect a high‑energy, herding‑breed patient that may be wary of strangers; reduce lobby friction by offering car/quiet‑room check‑in, asking about triggers (other dogs, noise), preferred rewards, and handling notes (rear dewclaws can make nail trims take longer). Confirm daily exercise outlets and note any recent changes in stamina, coordination, or lameness; record any prior vet‑noted puppy heart murmur, eye squinting/redness, or seizure history so clinicians can prioritize. Ask whether the dog has MDR1 (drug‑sensitivity) test results or past medication reactions and add this to the chart; route all OTC medication questions (e.g., loperamide/Imodium) to the doctor. If an owner reports non‑productive retching with a swollen belly, trouble breathing, collapse, or an active seizure, instruct them to proceed to the nearest ER immediately and call us en route.
Front desk script: “Pyrenean Shepherds can be energetic and a bit wary in busy lobbies—would you prefer to wait in your car and we’ll text when a room is ready? Are there any triggers or handling concerns we should note (noise, other dogs, nail trims with rear dewclaws)?” “Has your dog ever had seizures, eye squinting/redness, or MDR1 drug‑sensitivity testing—or any medication reactions we should record?” “If your dog is ever retching without bringing anything up, having breathing trouble, collapses, or is actively seizing, please head to the nearest emergency hospital now and call us on the way.”
For Pyrenean Shepherds, prioritize annual wellness plus an annual board-certified eye (CAER) exam, and ensure orthopedic screening: patella checks from 12 months and hip certification around 24 months—especially if the dog may be bred or is very active in sports. During puppy visits, confirm a cardiac auscultation was done; a continuous heart murmur or new cough/exercise intolerance warrants same‑day veterinary evaluation. Ask owners if their dog has ever had a seizure; any active seizure or collapse is an emergency and should go to an ER now. As a herding breed, flag possible MDR1 drug sensitivity in records and verify testing status before new medications are prescribed. Keep the dog lean, up to date on year‑round parasite prevention, and book dental cleanings per the veterinarian’s plan to reduce secondary health risks.
Front desk script: For Pyrenean Shepherds, we recommend booking an annual eye exam with a veterinary ophthalmologist and scheduling hip/patella screenings at the ages your doctor advises (typically patellas at 12+ months and hips near 24 months). If your puppy has a continuous heart murmur or new cough/exercise intolerance, we need to see them today; if your dog is currently seizing or has collapsed, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now. Also, because some herding breeds can have MDR1 drug sensitivity, has your dog had MDR1 testing? We’ll note that in your chart before any new medications.
High-drive, very intelligent herding dog that bonds tightly with the owner; often wary/aloof with strangers and can be vocal/reactive in busy lobbies. Keep intake low-stimulation: offer direct rooming or car check-in, allow owner-present handling, approach sideways/slowly, and use reward-based, minimal-restraint handling. Front-desk priorities: ask about fear/reactivity history (nipping, muzzle use), noise/motion sensitivity, and tolerance for nail trims/grooming; note any prior seizures. Breed health notes commonly reported include hip/patella and eye issues and occasional epilepsy; if seizure activity, collapse, trouble breathing, or sudden vision loss occurs on-site, alert the medical team immediately for triage.
Front desk script: “Pyrenean Shepherds are smart herding dogs and can be wary with new people, so we’ll get you to a quieter area and use treats and a slow approach. Any history of fear, nipping, muzzle use, or seizures we should note? If you notice seizure-like activity, collapse, or trouble breathing today, please tell me right away so our medical team can triage immediately.”
Active, motion‑sensitive herding dogs, Pyrenean Shepherds can be vocal, wary with strangers, and strong flight risks during intake and the first weeks post‑adoption—use secure harness/double‑leash and calm, low‑traffic handling. Plan early enrichment and structured exercise to prevent frustration-related behaviors (chasing/nipping, barrier reactivity) and coach adopters on gradual alone‑time to reduce separation stress. For dogs with unknown history, schedule a prompt intake exam and note breed‑relevant screening priorities (eyes/orthopedics) and discuss potential ABCB1/MDR1 drug sensitivity common in herding breeds before certain medications. Escalate immediately for seizure‑like activity, collapse, or heat‑stress signs (extreme panting, drooling, confusion, disorientation).
Front desk script: This breed has very high herding drive and energy, so we’ll keep handling calm and controlled and use secure equipment during transfers. We’ll set a baseline vet exam soon and note eye/orthopedic screening and to discuss MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity if history is unknown. If you see seizure‑like activity, collapse, or heat‑stress signs (very heavy panting, drooling, confusion), this is an emergency—go to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic now. For behavior support (nipping/chasing, reactivity), we can connect you with positive‑reinforcement resources.
Pyrenean Shepherds are small, intense herding dogs—highly alert, motion‑sensitive, and deeply bonded to their handler; many are wary of unfamiliar people but not inherently aggressive. For check‑in, ask the owner to keep a short leash/harness and seat them away from doorways and foot traffic; avoid direct staring and fast reaches, and use owner‑delivered high‑value treats. When possible, escort directly to a quiet room; approach slowly from the side, speak softly, and use minimal restraint, flagging “wary of strangers/herding breed” in the chart for the handoff. During handoff, keep the owner engaged to feed treats while staff swaps/leads are applied. If you see a hard stare, stiff body, lip lift/growl, repeated lunging, or inability to settle, stop intake, move the pet to a quiet/vehicle waiting area, and page the medical team immediately for safety support.
Front desk script: Hi! Pyrenean Shepherds are bright, high‑energy herding dogs and can be a bit wary with new people. We’ll get you straight to a quiet room—please keep [Name] on a short leash close to you and feel free to give our treats while we check in. If [Name] seems tense or starts barking or growling, we’ll pause and switch to curbside or direct‑to‑room and alert our medical team to assist.
For Pyrenean Shepherds, immediately escalate to a clinician if any of the following are reported: trouble breathing, blue/pale gums, collapse/fainting, uncontrolled bleeding, major trauma; active seizure >5 minutes or repeated seizures without full recovery; sudden swollen or tight abdomen with non‑productive retching (possible GDV); signs of heatstroke (heavy panting, drooling, confusion, weakness, vomiting/diarrhea, seizures, or collapse), especially after exertion or heat exposure; straining to urinate with little/no urine (especially males); known or suspected toxin/medication ingestion (including human/animal drugs); severe eye pain/injury or sudden vision loss. As a herding breed, if there is exposure to high‑risk medications in MDR1‑sensitive dogs (e.g., loperamide/Imodium, high‑dose ivermectin, certain sedatives or chemotherapy) with neurologic signs (tremors, ataxia, seizures, profound lethargy), treat as an emergency. If any of these are present, this is an emergency—route to the veterinarian now and direct the client to come in or proceed to the nearest ER without delay.
Front desk script: Based on what you’ve described, this needs urgent veterinary evaluation now. Please bring your dog to us immediately; if we are closed or you cannot arrive promptly, go to the nearest 24/7 emergency hospital. If a toxin or medication may be involved, bring the product/container with you. I’m alerting the clinician so we’re ready on arrival.