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

The Catalan Shepherd has long been a true friend of the shepherds. She coped well with the duties assigned to her: she guarded the cattle, did not allow him to run away, participated in the search for missing sheep, etc. During the grazing, the dog independently developed its own behavior strategy, so that the sheep did not scatter in different directions.

The distant ancestors of the Catalan Shepherd lived in Catalonia (Spain). They were used for grazing 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 participate in exhibitions where shaggy pets were registered, in 1923 the book contained data on only four representatives of Catalan shepherds. The official world recognition took place in 1954. It was then that the breed was recorded by the International Cynological Federation.

Despite the official statement about himself, Catalan Shepherd Dogs are rare visitors to the shows. They even faced the threat of extinction. The restoration of the population was successfully undertaken by the nursery of the University of Madrid, operating at the Department of Livestock of the Veterinary Faculty.

The first championship title was obtained in 1974. At the exhibition, held in Paris, the prize winner was a dog named Ungos de Lakitania. Thanks to this event, breeders from around the world became interested in Catalan shepherds.

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

A large cone-shaped head sits on a strong neck. The severity of the frontal bones and superciliary arches is noted. The nose is straight. No bryly. Large white teeth form a scissor bite. The color of the lips and the sky is black. The chest is wide, the ribs are well bent, have a non-planar shape. The back of the straight back may be located just below the withers. The animal has strong forearms and paws, between the fingers of which there are peculiar membranes. Claws are rounded.

The tail in dogs of this breed is different: long, short, slightly curved. There are even tailless representatives. Typically, Catalan Shepherd Dog owners specifically tail the tail. Animals have round eyes. Their color is amber yellow. The black color of the eyelids serves as a spectacular frame for the eyes.

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

The color of Catalan shepherds is diverse. At the same time, the color of the undercoat and the ends of the hairs is different: the yellowish-red hue turns into a reddish-brown or sable. There are animals black, gray.

The Catalan Shepherd Dog is easy to train and train. This is a smart and loyal dog. Over time, he becomes very attached to all members of the family in which he lives. If you need a reliable watchman and defender - there is no better option. The advantage of the breed is that its representatives are well versed in the situation. They can independently determine and understand the level of threat emanating from a dangerous object.

The dog has a calm and patient character. She takes part in games with children. Not very fond of neighborhood with other animals (cats), but courageously endures their presence. Keep in mind that the Catalan Shepherd Dog needs free space: it needs an active warm-up in the fresh air, lasting several hours.

Intelligence and natural acumen are the hallmarks 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 self-confident. Dog handlers recommend using the positive reinforcement method. Do not treat the animal cruelly, do not be rude. Otherwise, it will become uncontrollable and willful.

"Catalan" is unpretentious, it can be successfully kept in an aviary on the street. Due to the thick coat he is not afraid of the cold. Maintain an active lifestyle of the animal: get out with him into the nature, where he will be able to enjoy jogging and playing at will. It is recommended that those who keep the beast in an apartment in the city introduce the pet to various types of dog sports: frisbee (catching a disk), agility (overcoming an obstacle course), dancing.

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

Comb your pet special comb several times a week. Otherwise, lumps of lump will form, as a result of which the animal will look ugly. During molting, combing must be done daily.

A Catalan living at home once a month needs a bath. Individuals living on the street are washed less often.Use only special dog shampoos for this. You can always buy them at any specialized store. Be sure to clean your eyes and ears, cut your nails. Dogs, like humans, require brushing. In order for your pet to react normally to such a procedure, begin to accustom him to this from childhood.

Despite the fact that the Catalan shepherd is impressive in size, she eats not very much. The dog is not picky about food, so the owner is not required to invent any delights. The best option is finished feed, the composition of which is balanced and contains the necessary vitamins and minerals. Get only high-quality mixtures in which there are no dyes, preservatives, wheat and corn.

If you do not give preference to ready-made feeds, then keep in mind that cereals (rice, hercules, buckwheat), meat of several varieties, vegetables, a complex of vitamins and minerals should be present in the diet. Meat is the main component, which is the basis of good nutrition of the dog. You can include offal in the menu (heart, kidneys, liver). Semolina and pearl barley porridge are contraindicated. Twice a week, arrange a fishing day. The dog also needs cottage cheese and kefir. It is necessary to feed the adult "Catalan" in small portions 2 times a day without overfeeding. Puppies feed 3–6 times a day.

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