The Pyrenean Mountain Dogs are breeds that have been shaped over centuries by the mountainous landscape of the French Pyrenees and their original purpose of independently herding sheep. The selection of breeding animals was based solely on their working ability. This led to the development of dogs that are adapted to work in high altitudes, possessing a high degree of intelligence and self-confidence, a lot of courage, and even more energy. A breed standard for the Berger des Pyrénées was only defined in the 1920s.