Catalan Shepherd

 The Catalan Shepherd is a medium-sized dog with a muscular body. It exudes strength. Long-haired and slightly wavy, the Catalan Shepherd has a rustic appearance. It is an excellent shepherd dog, with an appreciable intelligence. It is vigilant and alert. Over the years, it has also become a perfect companion dog. He is notably very loyal to his master. He will defend his task against anything and everything. It can sometimes pass for asocial towards the strangers. Excellent playmate for children. It is soft and accepts the presence of its congeners. Small plus: it barks little.

History of the breed

Originally from the Catalan Pyrenees, the Catalan Shepherd is probably the result of a cross between the Bergamo Shepherd and other local breeds of dog, with characteristics that are more suited to the specific climatic and topographical features of the region. It quickly became popular with the shepherds and pastoralists of Catalonia, for whom it was used for herding and guarding their flocks.

Its first standard was established in Spain in 1929. The Catalan Shepherd breed was definitively recognized by the FCI on November 30, 1954.

Physical characteristics

Its coat: of rough texture, long, flat, or slightly wavy. Characteristic presence of beard, mustache, tuft at the top of the skull, and eyebrows, but these do not obstruct the dog's view.

His color: unicolor, but made up of a mixture of nuances: fawn, reddish-brown, gray, white, and black. Lighter shades at the ends.

Head: strong, slightly rounded at the base, well proportioned, with a skull that is less wide than long and well-developed frontal sinuses, as well as well-marked superciliary arches. The stop is well visible, without being too pronounced.

Ears: triangular, thin, set high, mobile, pointed at the tip, drooping, and close to the head. They are equipped with bangs.

Its eyes: round, well opened, of dark amber color, showing an expression of vivacity and intelligence.

His body: slightly elongated, strong, agile, with well-developed withers, straight back and slightly raised at the croup, broad and well-developed chest, and slightly raised belly.

Tail: Set low, of variable length (from less than 10 cm to more than the hock), hanging at rest, forming a hook in its lower part. Raised in action, without curling over the back. Generously furnished with hair.

Living conditions

The Catalan Shepherd is compatible with all family situations, especially those with children. However, he is much happier in a house with a garden than in an apartment. In either case, he needs a master who is available and can offer him frequent outings. 

His origins make him a tireless dog, endowed with great resistance to effort and very enduring. He will never balk at a family walk or a jog. Moreover, it supports very well the variations of temperature and the cold. It does not like solitude.

Health

The Catalan Shepherd is a hardy and resistant dog. It can withstand difficult climatic conditions, whether it is cold or hot. Moreover, there is no particular predisposition to any disease in this breed. Like all dogs of a certain size, its growth will have to be supervised during its first years of life, so that its cartilage is well preserved.