Beautiful black-and-white dog breeds. Are you in love with the striking spots of the Dalmatian but think its energy level and size won’t suit your compact condo and low-key lifestyle?

Great Pyrenees learn a lot about their role in a household with other dogs. They look to the older dogs to teach them the proper behavior for work and as pets. Great Pyrenees are not people-pleasers.

But since Great Pyrenees are herding dogs, they have an innate drive to protect their flock – and that includes their human family members. This can pose a problem if you have visitors.

Rana was despondent after Trinity died but finally agreed to a 5-pound ball of trouble we named Pepper for her black color. She was a street dog our grandson rescued and brought to us.