Great Pyrenees (Detailed Introduction)

　　The Great Pyrenees, as the name suggests, has white fur, is relatively large in size, and has a sturdy skeletal structure. For a large dog, whether it has body odor is a concern for owners. The sources of body odor are the dog's mouth, skin, ears, tail, and glands.
　　Unpleasant breath—bad breath is the primary cause of body odor in the Great Pyrenees. After eating, food residue remains between teeth, causing mouth odor. However, this is a minor problem because saliva quickly washes away the food debris. Persistent bad breath is caused by periodontal disease (gums).— Periodontal disease results from the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar between teeth. Bacteria thrive and multiply in the warm, moist oral environment, releasing sulfur-containing substances that cause the bad smell. Some medications that claim to cure persistent bad breath in dogs only temporarily mask the odor but do not address the root cause. Therefore, when a dog has bad breath, a visit to the vet is necessary. Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gums.— Studies have found that bad breath in dogs can lead to problems in other organs and stimulate tumor growth. Bad breath can cause tissue death inside tooth pulp, leading to loose roots and tooth loss. In severe cases, root canal treatment and antibiotics are necessary to resolve the issue. Besides dental problems, older dogs often develop oral tumors; puppies may suffer oral tissue necrosis from chewing electrical wires; diseases of the throat, nasal cavity, mouth, and esophagus; and liver and pancreas disorders can all cause bad breath.— Another disease causing bad breath is lip inflammation, common in breeds with lip folds such as the Spanish Water Dog. The odor from lip inflammation resembles "athlete’s foot." Veterinarians treat it with antibiotics. Keeping the dog's lips clean, dry, and trimming nearby hair significantly reduces lip inflammation risk. Dogs with chronic kidney disease also have bad breath due to high urea levels in the blood, which is secreted through saliva. Urea decomposes to ammonia in the mouth, causing odor. Odor from the skin—If a dog’s skin has wounds, unpleasant odors are common. However, wounds may enlarge due to bacterial infection, most commonly staphylococcus. Sensitivities, hormonal issues, and endocrine disorders can cause skin odors. Parasites like fleas on the skin also contribute to the smell. Dogs scratch due to itching, worsening bacterial infections.— Another source of odor is long-term licking of the skin by the dog. Saliva accumulates bacteria and dust in the fur, causing odor. Ear odor like rotten fruit?—The Great Pyrenees’ ear odor is due to bacterial or parasitic infections. Ear infections by a certain yeast cause a sweet, fruity smell. Long-eared breeds are prone to these issues. Long ears hinder blood circulation and easily collect dirt. Dog owners can clean ears with a cotton swab soaked in ear oil every two weeks. In severe cases, a veterinary check and proper treatment are advised. Another embarrassing source of body odor is flatulence. However, 99% of gases in the dog’s small intestine are odorless, such as nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. Whether a dog has flatulence depends on the food they eat. Eating spoiled food or foods high in protein and sulfur amino acids, like legumes and soybeans, often produces odors. Controlling this is simple: provide easily digestible, low-fiber food with appropriate protein levels. Consult a familiar veterinarian for advice. Dogs can also swallow air causing flatulence. Nervousness during eating or eating too quickly leads to swallowing large amounts of air. If changing the diet yields no improvement, embarrassment for both owner and pet may persist. Excess bacteria in the intestines, small intestine blockage, and gastrointestinal diseases also cause continuous flatulence. The above mouth odor, ear odor, body odor, and skin odors, unless congenital, are fundamentally solvable. Regular bathing, grooming, tooth brushing, ear cleaning, and parasite treatment generally prevent body odor in young dogs.