Saint Miguel Cattle Dog

FCI:

Saint Miguel Cattle Dog - Group I. - Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, Section 1 - Cattle Dogs. Recognized in 1995.

General Appearance:

Its character is extremely self-confident and independent, sharp and attentive watchdog, which shaped the prevailing long-term practical usage as cattle and herding dog. It is intelligent and quick and easy to learn.

Temperament / Behaviour:

To strangers it is extremely distrustful, even aggressive. To the contrary, to owner or who belongs to, it is gentle and obedient. For the right owner it is an excellent guard dog, defence and companion, but not suitable for families with children.

When it is breed as a social dog, it requires broad thorough and early socialization from an early age unfailingly consistent. Then it is a versatile, affectionate and docile companion.

This breed it is only for owners who are naturally endowed with authority and can be quite peacefully, but firmly appropriately under all circumstances requested. It is very hard, difficult dog and by any hard way no one can do anything with this breed, the most excessive roughness makes a dog very bad, the owner will be later in very bad position maybe owner will be afraid of the dog. It is a very dominant breed and unnecessarily rough educated individual will always be ready to compete at an opportune moment for the leading position in the pack.

The dog must be on the leash and dog whose owner has enough power to hold this strong dog tightly. Furthermore, it is necessary that dog always walks   about 2.1 m back, at worst, with its nose at the level of owner’s feet. According to the laws of the dog pack it is running in the head of a leading individual that decides when and where to go. The owner also must be always farsighted and prudent enough, even for a moment not forget to distrust your dog against all unknown and even just the smell or the inadvertent movement of the suspicious person.

Because it was originally a working breed, it requires some work e.g. a regular practice of dog sports, for example-obedience, agility, flyball, tracking or pulling. Perfect for dog, if it can at least once in a while to put into practice its very strong instinct to take care of a herd of cattle on pasture. For normal or sport Staff training it does not fit totally and also it would not be practicing defence  , too, which it could lead to aggression.

Body:

It's a powerful, muscular dog of a rectangular suited character and work suited mainly to the countryside. Withers height from 50-60 cm is for male and 48-58 cm, female. Weight of body is for male 25-35 kg, female 20 to 30 kg.

The head has to be massive, square. The skull is wide, slightly arched above, occiput to be only slightly noticeable. Well defined, the nose should be large, black coloured. Muzzle should be seen from the front straight when viewed from the side slightly arched. The whole muzzle should be slightly shorter than the skull.

Lips are on the edges of deep pigmented, upper overlaps the mouth being closed bottom and overhanging except corners of the mouth. The jaws are very strong, powerful, and they must get on each other exactly. Teeth are required to complete, scissors or pincer.

Eyes should be oval in shape, obscure, but distinct, medium-sized, horizontal, iris with deep maroon. The earlobes should be moderately high set, if not cropped, should be of medium size, triangular in shape and hinged so that protrude slightly from the cheeks. When docked, it is moderated into the arc.

The neck should be straight, strong and moderately long, without dewlap. It is firmly muscled attached to the body. The body must be muscular, rather thick and straight. Loins should be moderately long, well muscled. The belly is tucked up properly, the weaknesses are rolled up. The croup should be medium in length.

The tail is high, thick, moderately long, slightly curved upward. Usually they are running out (in countries where it is not forbidden) for the second or third tail vertebrae.

Chest required large, should have proper width. The forelegs should be rigid and straight, their attitude has to be wide. The shoulder bones are moderately long, well-muscled shoulders, rigid. Forearms should be strong and muscular. Wrists should not be weak pasterns are strong, medium length. Front feet are oval, strong fingers and claws. The hindquarters are strong, thighs should be long, muscular, legs are of medium length and well muscled. Hock must be sloping, medium length.

Skin must be thick, pigmented skin and hair is short, smooth, contiguous and dense. Colouring must be brindled. Tan, yellow or gray background, which can be lighter or darker shade, form more or less irregular dark stripes marbled pattern. On the forehead, chin and front of the chest, as well as at the ends of the fingers can be rather small white markings.

Faults from the requirements of the standard must be considered as defects and evaluate exactly according to the seriousness with regard to health and well-being. The exclusionary defects include, but divergence imaginary extension of the upper line of the skull and the muzzle when viewed from the side, also aggressiveness, excessive shyness and big overshot or undershot jaw.