How to Groom a Great Pyrenees | Preserve That Double Coat

For the full breakdown, see our best Clippers For Great Pyrenees guide.

If you own a Great Pyrenees, you know the coat is its own ecosystem. The breed’s thick, weather-resistant double coat keeps it cool in summer and warm in winter, stays self-cleaning, and sheds dirt instead of holding it. One wrong grooming move — shaving, overbathing, or using a Furminator — and that system breaks down. Follow this routine to keep your Pyr clean, mat-free, and healthy.

The Weekly Brushing Routine

Brush your Great Pyrenees at least once a week for about 30 minutes. Start at the head and work down to the tail, with extra attention on the neck ruff, rump, pantaloons (rear legs), and feathers (front legs). Use a curved-bristle metal slicker brush first to loosen dead hair, then finish with a wide-toothed stainless steel comb or a double-row grooming rake to catch deeper tangles.

During the spring shed — when the coat “blows” — brush daily for 1–2 weeks. For lighter maintenance between full sessions, you can use a wire card brush every other day, but brushing more often risks breaking hair ends. Avoid any tool that cuts or rips, like a Furminator; it damages the undercoat and ruins the coat’s structure.

A well-maintained Great Pyrenees rarely needs more than weekly brushing. If you find mats forming, you’ve waited too long. For mat removal: hold the mat at the skin base, then brush from the mat’s tip downward to avoid pulling. Use detangling spray on tough knots, and carefully cut down the mat with scissors (pointing away from skin) before teasing it apart with your fingers or a rake.

When and How to Bathe

Bathe your Pyrenees only every 3–4 months — the coat’s natural oils make it self-cleaning, and frequent washing strips those oils.

Before any bath, brush out all loose hair first. Wet the coat thoroughly with lukewarm water, then work a pH-balanced dog shampoo into the elbows and belly first, smoothing the hair flat against the body. Use a soapy washcloth for the face to avoid the eyes and muzzle. Rinse repeatedly until no suds remain — leftover shampoo causes irritation. Follow with an aloe or oatmeal conditioner for soothing. Let your dog shake, then use a dryer if you have one; if not, let the coat dry halfway, then pin brush it prone (brushing up against the hair, layer by layer) until fluffy.

After drying, apply a whitening foam like Kote-Glo or White Minx to the muzzle and around the eyes.

Don’t forget the tools that go with bathing.

Trimming Nails and Paws — What to Cut and What to Leave

The only fur you should trim on a Great Pyrenees is on the feet and tail. Trim the feathering between paw pads and around the toes every few weeks to prevent bacteria from trapping and to stop the dog from slipping on hard floors. To trim toe fringe, pull the hair up from the nail and cut below it. Do not trim the head, body coat, or tail plume — the coat’s insulation depends on full length. Use blunted-tip scissors for safety.

Trim nails monthly or as needed. The Great Pyrenees has both front and back dewclaws, and these need regular trimming — untrimmed dewclaws curl into a circle and can grow into the leg, causing pain and infection. For ear maintenance, clean the outer ear weekly with a cotton ball or wipe. The floppy ears trap moisture, so check for redness or odor at each cleaning.

Banned Practices and Everyday Mistakes

Never shave a Great Pyrenees. The double coat insulates against both heat and cold; shaving removes that protection and destroys the self-cleaning ability. The coat can take years to grow back normally. Never use human shampoo — it strips the coat’s pH balance. And never skip the weekly brushing: mats form fast, and once they’re tight against the skin, removing them is painful for your dog and difficult for you.

Brushing more than every other day with a wire card brush can break the ends of the guard hairs. If your dog’s coat is healthy, stick to the weekly schedule with the correct tools: a slicker brush and a wide-toothed comb are all you need for maintenance. The safest approach is to work with a partner for stability when trimming and always cut away from the skin.