Catalan Shepherd Dogs: what do they look like and how to keep them?

The Catalan Shepherd Dog has been a faithful friend of shepherds since ancient times. She did an excellent job with the duties assigned to her: she guarded the cattle, did not let him scatter, participated in the search for the missing sheep, etc. During the grazing, the dog independently developed his own strategy of behavior, so that the sheep did not scatter in different directions.

The distant ancestors of the Catalan Shepherd Dogs lived in Catalonia (Spain). They were used to graze sheep in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The period of active breeding of these dogs falls on the XVIII century.

Due to the fact that the shepherds did not take part in the exhibitions where the registration of shaggy pets took place, in 1923 the book contained data on only four representatives of the Catalan Shepherd Dogs. Official world recognition took place in 1954. It was then that the breed was fixed by the International Cynological Federation.

Despite the official statement about myself, Catalan Shepherds are rare guests of exhibitions. They even faced the threat of complete extinction. The restoration of the population was successfully undertaken by the nursery of the University of Madrid, which operates under the Department of Animal Science of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The first champion title was received in 1974. At the exhibition, held in Paris, a dog named Ungos de Lakitania won the prize. Thanks to this event, breeders from all over the world became interested in Catalan Shepherd Dogs.

Catalan Shepherd Dogs are of medium size. The maximum height at the withers is 53–55 cm, the minimum is 45–47 cm. In this case, the males are slightly higher than the bitches. The average weight of a dog is 20 kg. Life expectancy is from 12 to 14 years.

The large cone-shaped head sits on a strong neck. The severity of the frontal bones and superciliary arches is noted. The bridge of the nose is straight. There are no wings. Large white teeth form a scissor bite. The color of the lips and palate is black. The ribcage is wide, the ribs are well sprung and non-planar. The back of the straight back can be located just below the withers. The animal has strong forearms and paws, between the toes of which there are peculiar membranes. The nails are rounded.

The tail in dogs of this breed is different: long, short, slightly curved. There are even tailless representatives. Typically, working Catalan Shepherd Dogs are specially cut by their owners. Animals have round eyes. Their color is amber yellow. The black color of the eyelids serves as a spectacular framing of the eyes.

This is a tough animal that is not afraid of negative natural conditions. Its characteristic feature is a thick, long, slightly wavy coat. Because of this, drooping triangular ears are almost invisible. In the back, the hair is the most fluffy and thickest. This breed has a beard, mustache and bangs. The molting process occurs in stages: first, it affects the front, and then the back.

The color of the Catalan Shepherd Dogs is varied. In this case, the color of the undercoat and the tips of the hairs is different: the yellowish-red hue turns into reddish-brown or sable. There are black, gray animals.

The Catalan Shepherd Dog is easy to train and trainable. This is an intelligent and loyal dog. Over time, he becomes very attached to all members of the family in which he lives. If you need a reliable guard and protector, there is no better option. The dignity of the breed is that its representatives are well versed in the situation. They can independently determine and understand the level of threat posed by a dangerous object.

The dog has a calm and patient character. She takes part in games with children. He does not really like the neighborhood with other animals (cats), but he courageously tolerates their presence. Keep in mind that the Catalan Shepherd needs free space: it needs an active warm-up in the fresh air, lasting several hours.

Intelligence and natural acumen are the distinguishing features of this breed. If during training the owner gives a "weakness", the dog will react instantly and cease to obey. The dog should feel that the person is confident in himself. Dog handlers recommend using the positive reinforcement method. Do not be cruel to the animal, do not be rude. Otherwise, it will become uncontrollable and wayward.

"Catalan" is unpretentious, it can be successfully kept in an open-air cage on the street. Due to the thick wool, he is not afraid of the cold. Maintain an active lifestyle of the animal: get out with him into nature, where he can enjoy jogging and playing to his heart's content. Those who keep the animal in an apartment in the city are advised to introduce their pet to various types of dog sports: frisbee (catching a disc), agility (overcoming an obstacle course), dancing.

If there is no proper physical activity, the animal becomes disobedient and may even sometimes behave aggressively towards the owner.

Brush your pet special comb several times a week... Otherwise, matted lumps will form, as a result of which the animal will look ugly. Brushing should be done daily during molting.

The "Catalan" living at home needs a bath once a month. Individuals living on the street are washed less often.Use only special dog shampoos for this. You can always buy them in any specialized store. Be sure to clean your eyes and ears, trim your nails. Dogs, like humans, need to brush their teeth. In order for your pet to react normally to such a procedure, start accustoming him to this from childhood.

Despite the fact that the Catalan Shepherd Dog is impressive in size, it does not eat very much. The dog is not picky about food, so the owner is not required to invent any delights. The best option is ready-made feed, the composition of which is balanced and contains the necessary vitamins and minerals. Purchase only quality blends that are free from dyes, preservatives, wheat and corn.

If you do not prefer ready-made feeds, then keep in mind that the diet should contain cereals (rice, rolled oats, buckwheat), several varieties of meat, vegetables, a complex of vitamins and minerals. Meat is the main component that is the basis for a good nutrition of the dog. You can include in the menu by-products (heart, kidneys, liver). Semolina and barley porridge are contraindicated. Have a fish day twice a week. The dog also needs cottage cheese and kefir. You need to feed an adult "Catalan" in small portions 2 times a day without overfeeding. Puppies eat 3-6 times a day.

All about the Catalan Shepherd Dog, see the next video.