The International Great Pyrenees Review was created by Sonya Larson and Paul Strang in 1972.

Paul recognized the need for a quality publication that would present the breed to the Pyrenean fancy both on the national as well as the international scene.

As a decades long world traveler to all points Pyrenean, Paul recognized the wide communications gap between serious breeders and exhibitors that were separated by oceans.

Breeders primarily communicated by hand written letters or letters rolled off of an Underwood or a Smith-Corona during the early 70s'.

Costly minute by minute long distance telephone calls too occasionally connected breeders.

Up-to-date information about available puppies, young show prospects, stud dogs, and bloodlines was often time consuming and difficult to find.

Paul was primarily the editor-in-chief of the I.G.P.R, overseeing the procurement of interesting articles, photographs and other content, while Sonya oversaw the many business and subscription aspects of the new publication.

Given the instant success and the time demands of the new publication, Paul and Sonya often "wore all hats".

The magazine was launched to a world-wide Great Pyrenees audience in June of 1972 and, the first issue was an immediate sell out!

Demand for the new I.G.P.R. exceeded supply and the June, 1972 issue became a highly desired breed collectable within just a few months of its release.

The I.G.P.R. featured a variety of articles and regional news by the foremost breed authorities and serious fanciers of the day, including: Mary W. Crane; Edith K. Smith; Paul D. Strang; Dr. James Giffin; Carol Kentopp; Carolyn Hardy; Dorothy Magoffin; John Cobb; Evelyn Stuart; Joyce Stannard; Constance Prince; Lady Celia Morris; Sqd. Ldr. Pete Gilbert; Helen Weller; Guy Mansencal; Dr. R. Giralt; Denise Tudhope; Ranee van Eck; Karen Harrison; Renee Millington and a cadre of other notable Pyrenean personas.

Historic articles and photographs were the magazine's forte over the years and were always eagerly anticipated by the readership.

In the I.G.P.R. the world could read the translated writings of Mons. Bernard Senac-Lagrange, learn about "the spike collar", and see rare and and fascinating early French photographic postcards of the breed.

Articles and historic photographs featuring such prominent kennels as Basquaerie, Cote de Neige, Quibbletown, Soleil, Balibasque, Laudley, Bergerie, Pontoise, Langladure, Comte de Foix, and others filled the magazines' pages and kept subscribers renewing year after year.

Prominent and educational topics included the outstanding Great Pyrenees health articles, structure articles and, articles on breeding, grooming, Junior Showmanship, tracking, and obedience.

Articles about the Great Pyrenees as a working dog and a predator control dog, illustrated the livestock guardian dog heritage of the breed.

Many subscribers were first introduced to the Turkish Sheepdog, the Slovakian Chuvatch, the Pyrenean Sheepdog, the Kuvaszok, the Maremma and other breeds whose duties parallel or compliment the Pyrenean, in the I.G.P.R.

Show results from Great Pyrenees Specialties gave the I.G.P.R. readership up-to-date news of important wins.

Regional columnists representing the far and wide corners of the Pyrenean world brought their localized news to faraway Pyrenean mailboxes.

Via the popular regional columns, Pyrenees news from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, India, Denmark, Sweden, "The Pyrenees" and, the USA was delivered to your living room for a $4.00 annual subscription for 3 issues.

The "original" subscription price was to be $3.50 per year for 3 issues but, higher than expected Volume 1 Number 1 publication costs and postage costs necessitated a "rate hike" to $4.00 per year.

Many advertisements featured fine photographs and highlights of heralded show winning Pyrenees as well as the up-and-coming dogs of the day.

Those great breeder and kennel ads remain today, more than 40 years after their publication, excellent references and resources in pedigree and historic research.

Paul's vision for a quality publication in which to engage the world-wide Pyrenean fancy was realized and realized beyond his expectations.

Great Pyrenees breeders who would otherwise never have met nor communicated came to learn of each other's dogs and bloodlines in the I.G.P.R.

The I.G.P.R. articles and advertisements sparked interests in dogs and bloodlines that may otherwise have remained unfamiliar or unknown to many breeders.

Many pedigrees and photographs were mailed across the county and across the oceans as breeders sought to improve and enhance their breeding programs.

The I.G.P.R., the creation of Sonya and Paul, provided an outstanding opportunity to bring the far corners of the Pyrenean world closer together during its 10 year run.