Majorcan Shepherd Dogs: breed description and maintenance rules

Noble Majorcan Shepherd Dogs are elegant, fearless and selflessly devoted to their owner. Despite the fact that the main purpose of such an animal is to help protect pets, it is also an excellent fighter, runner and protector of his home and family.

The history of the development of the Ca de Bestiar breed began in the 16th century on the Mayor Islands, where the Spaniards moved with their families and four-legged pets. At that time, dogs performed an important job, guarding and driving herds of cattle along with the shepherds.

A little later, shepherd dogs became indispensable participants in dog fights and successfully participated in this cruel human game, until it was banned. During World War II, the number of animals declined sharply, but was partially restored. It was not possible to completely recreate the population, and this unique breed is still considered rare and small in number.

Sheepdogs native to Castile are divided into two types: there are animals with long hair and short-haired individuals. The latter are more common.

Standards common to both varieties:

• flawlessly flat back, without bending;
• developed chest;
• strong and slightly elongated torso with excellent muscles;
• wide leg bones, muscular limbs, large, straight;
• wide paws with movable toes;
• head in the form of a triangle when viewed in profile, with a moderately flattened skull;
• the length of the neck coincides with the length of the skull;
• wide forehead, high ears, with drooping lobes that do not stop;
• long tail, rather thick, low set;
• the skin is elastic, does not form folds and sagging;
• oval eyes have various shades of yellow, most often honey or amber;
• blunt nose with black tip;
• correct bite, scissor bite, black lips, dry.

The body of the animal is proportional: the height at the withers, which is at most about 73 cm, is equal to the length of the body. Weight can reach 35 to 40 kg. The length of the coat does not exceed 3 cm in short-haired and 7 cm in long-haired shepherd dogs.

The main color is black, charcoal, the presence of medium-sized white spots on the lower parts of the limbs, on the chest and neck is permissible, but completely black individuals of a resin shade are especially valuable.

Despite the fact that dogs of the Majorcan breed are distinguished by good memory, quick-wittedness and easy training, they can show disobedience, behave wayward and make their own decisions. By nature they are balanced and friendly animals, choosing for themselves a friend for life. it monogamouswho remain faithful until the end of their days and are unable to recognize another master.

In the House they are calm, affectionate and manageable animals, devoid of aggressiveness, courteous towards family members, but it can be difficult for them to find a common language with other pets.

Like other service shepherds, dogs need vigorous activity, they need movement.

For a Mallorcan shepherd dog, who loves to play and run, it is suitable to live in a country house or in a private house. The animal easily tolerates any weather and climatic conditions, is not afraid of heat and cold, so you can keep it outside by installing a comfortable booth.

An indispensable condition is long walks with jogging and physical activity. This will help to avoid unnecessary overabundance of energy that the animal can use to damage property.

Caring for a shepherd dog includes:

• periodic combing (once every 2 weeks), a short-haired pet can be combed with a brush; for a long-haired pet it is better to use a furminator; during molting, a special slicker is used to remove old wool and undercoat;
• after a walk, the body of an animal, its paws are wiped with a damp cloth, bathe after heavy pollution with warm water with zooshampoo;
• twice a month should clean the dog's ears;
• eyes rubbed daily chamomile infusion, removing secretions and dry crusts;
• once or twice every 30 days you need claw off with the help of specialized nippers;
• to keep teeth clean Shepherd dogs, the pet is given the appropriate treats or cleaned by hand using a paste from tartar and plaque.

We must not forget about regular vaccination of the animal against ticks, as well as a number of diseases to which it is susceptible, before that, deworming is mandatory.

With regular long-term physical activity and a balanced diet, a dog can live as long as possible - up to 15 years.

For the Spaniards, high-quality dry food, which includes all the substances and vitamins necessary for their health and energy, are suitable as the optimal menu. The best solution is premium elite food for medium and large dogs.

But you can dwell on natural food, then raw lean meat should become the main component. You can diversify the diet with boiled eggs, raw and boiled vegetables, cereals, dairy and sour milk products.

Once a month, you can give boiled beef bones, and regularly - supplements: calcium, yeast, vitamins. You cannot feed a dog with human food, fatty meat, sweets, bread. Chicken, tubular, sharp and chipped bones are strictly forbidden to the Shepherd.

Puppies are fed up to 5 times a day, adults - twice a day.

It is necessary to engage in education from the first days of the appearance of the baby in the house. The owner must keep the dog under strict discipline and immediately teach the necessary commands. If the dog obediently performs tasks, it must be rewarded with a treat. You can start classes from 10-15 minutes a day, and when the animal is six months old, then use special cynological programs for training.

For those who have no experience of dealing with serious working dogs, it makes no sense to acquire a Majorca Shepherd Dog. For this, a strong, strong-willed person who knows the nature of these animals, is able to cope with them and become their leader, is suitable. With a weak owner, especially not versed in the maintenance and care of such pets, the dog can become irritable, disobedient and even aggressive.

It is customary to take a puppy to the house at the age of 1.5-2 months. When selecting, it is better to pay attention not to the appearance of the animal, but to its performance. In addition, it is important to exclude mental problems - the baby must be active and fearless. Also, the condition of the coat is of no small importance.

Today in Russia there is an opportunity to buy a young dog worth 20 thousand rubles with a good pedigree.

For the characteristics of the breed, see below.