Portuguese Shepherd

FCI:

Portuguese Shepherd Group I. - Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, Section 1 - Sheepdogs with working trial. Recognized in 1996.

General Appearance:

The Portuguese Shepherd Dog unusual appearance: intelligent and clever, but also soulful and sensitive, alive, calm, optimistic dog. It loves movement and is ready for any activity. In the case of a new work, it pays eagerly directly. Its character - is faithful, obedient and trained dog.

Temperament & Behaviour:

The education is not so simple, it should be remembered that while working with herds of cattle it must decide immediately and usually completely alone, it could not wait for the shepherd ´s commands. Therefore, it is quite independent and self-confident, sometimes it may seem stubborn, but the "problems" cannot fairly easily overcome early socialization and gentle, but thorough education. The owner should have some previous experience with dogs and should not be indecisive, inconsistent, nervous and impatient. Unless these characteristics endowed, may, especially by males, exhibit dominant tendency.

It loves its owner and it is fully committed and totally faithful as well as its entire family. It has a good relationship with the children, but children must respect its personality during games. Also, other dogs and other animals are helpful, strangers, however, it is preferred to avoid it. It is always attentive and incorruptible guard. Especially dogs-males sometimes have a tendency to guard "their" territory.

During its innate liveliness and activity needs some regular everyday job. It complies with its agility, but also other dog sports in which they can apply their speed, skill and joy from the fact that its performance will please the owner. Its behaviour looks like a little monkey, and therefore in their homeland has its own the nickname "monkey dog" (CAO macaque), the dog can learn quickly imitate.

It can perfectly adapt to different environments, though it was originally a typical "peasant" it can easily adapt to life in the city.

Body:

Portuguese Shepherd is a medium sized dog elongated body frame. The height at withers, males is 45-55 cm for females 42 to 52 cm. Weight of body ranging from 12 to 18 kg.

The head is a robust, broad, not too long, not completely round. Skull should be rounded and slightly longer than wide. Brow ridges protruding, longitudinal cutting furrow front extends into mid-forehead. Among the earlobes to be almost flat skull, occiput is visible. The frontal slope must be significant. Muzzle should be almost cylindrical, short, straight or slightly concave. Clearly protruding nose is rounded and slightly raised, with large nostrils at the front almost vertically terminated. It is preferred black-coloured. In any case, it must be darker than coat colour.

Lips tightly fitting to the jaw and teeth, do not overlap, they are narrow, fixed on the edges almost straight. Jaws together must fit perfectly. Teeth are white, deeply rooted in the alveoli.

The eyes should be round, medium-sized, vertical, horizontal and preferably dark iris colour. The look is lively, intelligent and dedicated. The rims are pigmented black or darker than coat colour.

Ears should be set high, and if not cropped, are triangular, flat hanging without folds, medium length, fine and smooth. When they are cropped (unless precluded by the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act) must be upright.

Neck is linked harmoniously with the head and torso, straight, matching strength, compared with slightly raised ridge. The body has a slightly sloping top line of the body. The spine is long, straight or slightly sloping. The loin is short, arched and broad rounded, well-muscled. Croup is moderately long and wide, slightly sloping.
The tail should be high, thin and at the base, pointed at the end, reaching to the hocks. In repose carried hanging down, between the legs, on top of more or less upward curved or curled. The motion is carried slightly curved, but can be rolled up, and it often wags the dog.

Forechest to be spacious and requires a deep chest of moderate breadth. The ribs are slightly arched. The abdomen is moderately large, slightly tucked. The forelegs are strong, upright, in attitude must be adequately far apart. Scapula and shoulder bones are strong, moderately long, well-muscled. Forearm should be perpendicular to the substrate and well-muscled.

Pasterns must be as strong, medium length and slightly slanted. Feet are round and must never be flat. Toes should be long and tight, well arched. Nails should be long, strong and black or darker colour than the coat colour. The pads are firm and solid.

The hindquarters must be strong and perpendicular to the substrate. The thighs are moderately long and appropriately wide, well-muscled. Tibia should be slightly skewed, moderate length, muscular. Hocks are rather low over the base, moderately broad, strong and blunt angle. Hock should be equally broad, strong, moderately long and slightly sloping. The dewclaws may be single or double. Movement should be light, smooth and rich.

Straight or slightly wavy; long; with slightly harsh texture preferably goat-like; forming long beard, moustache and eyebrows, but not covering the eyes; dense and evenly distributed over the body, including between toes; hair of medium thickness; without undercoat or woolliness; very long coat on head, body and limbs, including between toes.

Colouration can be yellow, maroon or red deer, grey wolf, always different shades, from light to dark. It may also be black with larger or smaller tan markings, mixing or not mixing white hairs. White spots with the exception of the front spot are on the chest undesirable. The coat requires regular care, because it is prone to pilling. It is necessary to comb by comb with long and sparse metal pins.

Fault include long and narrow head, nasal bridge when viewed from the side convex jaw poorly on himself overlying, skull flat, round or narrow, ears set low, tail docked or congenitally missing, coat insufficiently long, curly or forming loops, distal part of limbs white, brindled colour or dwarf size.