The Great Pyrenees is a majestic dog that makes its mark not only with people but in various books, movies and TV specials. Their white coat is stunning and attractive while their calm demeanor makes them easy to work with on movie and TV sets. Though bred to mostly work as guard dogs, the Great Pyrenees has also worked as a therapy dog with both children and the elderly. Their large demeanor belies their gentle nature and many are surprised at how easy it is to work with the Pyr. Unlike small dogs, there is no element of anxiety to deal with and they tend to easily bond with trainers.
In Laura Weiss's book, Such a Pretty Little Girl, a character by the name of Nigel owns a Great Pyrenees by the name of Gilly. The Great Pyrenees is a strong animal that offers a good sense of protection to the children in the book. In real life, the Pyr will readily stand up and protect his or her property and all who dwell on it. As focused as the Pyr is about guarding against strangers, it is just as tolerant with its owners. The white coat of a Pyr represents purity and wholesomeness to many and the breed's loyal disposition only adds to their allure. The most popular reference to the Great Pyrenees is the novel Belle and Sebastian that was later made into a movie and cartoon series.
With a size that works well for being on camera, the Great Pyrenees has been used in many a TV special. They are a laid back and patient animal that does not mind long breaks in between takes. They are also at ease with the clamor and various types of equipment used on movie sets that have been known to spook other types of dogs. As trained professionals, they are eager to please and have a natural gait that is easy to pick up on camera. The thick white coat of the Great Pyrenees often has them featured in movies and TV specials dealing with cold weather adventures and other themes.
The Great Pyrenees can be found in a number of movies but its solid form and disposition often provides great inspiration for cartoon and anime characters as well. A number of popular comic strips and anime series feature the Pyr as a regular character that never fails in it devotion and loyalty. The breed has also been used as a mascot for Olympic events and other sporting venues. Over the years that the Great Pyrenees has gained in popularity, it has found worldwide fame and is often featured in a number of cultural entertainment outlets. The breed is extremely popular in the Japanese culture and owning one or more Great Pyrenees is considered quite the status symbol.