Catalan Shepherd

The intelligent and devoted Catalan Shepherd breed is well-known for its keen sense of herding. This dog, originally from the Pyrenees between Spain and France, was bred to assist farmers in tending to their livestock. They are valued today not only for their productivity at work but also for their affection and family-protective qualities.

The thick, shaggy coat of the Catalan Shepherd is one of its most distinctive characteristics, as it helps protect it from inclement weather. This makes them ideal for labor in the great outdoors, but when provided with adequate mental and physical challenges, they also adjust well to family life.

These dogs are very trainable, but they respond best to firm, consistent guidance and positive reinforcement from their owner. The Catalan Shepherd can make an excellent companion for active people and families alike with the correct upbringing.

Appearance and characteristics of the breed

A typical mongrel or a crossbreed, tall and stocky with noticeable shagginess and no eyes visible. Moreover, the color is peculiar—it doesn’t resemble a shepherd at all. An uninitiated dog lover could easily confuse the "Catalan" for a regular mongrel. One of the primary characteristics of the breed may be its appearance. Additionally, there is a menacing, bass voice that frightens and surprises people who have heard a Catalan shepherd’s bark. For a Caucasian, Armenian Gampr, CAO, and other comparable breeds, its bass is more appropriate.

The third characteristic of the "Catalan" is their independence of thought. A typical breed representative will consider an order multiple times before deciding whether or not to follow the owner’s instructions. Consequently, a tough person with an inner core and the capacity to communicate with dogs should acquire a Catalan shepherd.

It is unacceptable to cause the animal physical harm. The animal will react because it will not put up with it. If the dog’s owner hits it, the animal will, at best, get a scare, and at worst, need resuscitation.

Origin of the breed

The breed originated in the Catalan Pyrenees. Although it is now regarded as a resort area, the area was once home to lowly peasants. It is not enjoyable to live in a harsh climate in the mountains. The people there required dependable security in addition to a four-legged shepherd for their livestock. The dogs that thrived in the extremes were unrivaled in their vileness, but they shared no desire to herd cattle. The answer was obvious but unexpected: local dogs should be crossed with a less vicious breed of shepherd.

The Pyrenean Longhaired Shepherd, renowned for its exceptional guard and shepherding skills, was the progenitor of the Catalan Shepherd. The term "Catalans" is not widely used outside of their tiny country.

Breed standard

According to FCI breed standard No. 87,

1. Country of origin: Spain
2. Head: large, wide. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is bright pronounced. The muzzle is cone-shaped.
3. Ears: triangular, hanging, tightly pressed to the head. Carked ears are allowed in working dogs.
4. Eyes: large, expressive, brown.
5. Nose lobe: large, black.
6. Corps: elongated, muscular. The withers are expressed, the back is straight, the cereal is wide, the stomach is tightened.
7. Breasts: well -developed, wide and deep.
8. Limbs: straight, strong, parallel.
9. Tail: low.
10. Wool: long, slightly wavy. Undercoat and outer hair are rude.
11. Color: from deer to sable. Black, gray, tiger and black and fanned color is allowed.

Males range in height from 47 to 55 cm and can weigh up to 20 kg. Bitch measures 43 to 55 cm and can support up to 18 kg.

Breed diseases

The "Catalans" are generally in good health.

Representatives of the breed may live up to eighteen years. Catalan shepherds live between 14 and 16 years on average.

Among these dogs, elbow and hip dysplasia is essentially the only prevalent illness.

Character and habits

The breed is of a serious nature. A superb guard, willing to battle to the death for the owner. A normal example of the breed is capable of making decisions on their own, suspicious of strangers, uncomfortable in small areas, and dislikes being squeezed too much.

When choosing to buy a Catalan Shepherd, keep in mind that this breed is not good for apartment living or serving as a senior citizen’s or child’s companion. A security dog, with all that that implies. Such a pet requires consistent mental and physical stimulation, firm handling, and owner respect.

Calm and amiable attitude toward the family that the dog resides with.

Nuance: Hugs, kisses, and other displays of affection are disliked by "Catalans." As a result, the owner and his family must prohibit themselves from having this kind of behavior toward the dog.

Children require extra caution when being watched. Small children can approach the pet and give it "hugs," while serious dogs have no problem biting or snapping at the aggressor.

Puppy "Catalans" are extremely clumsy. What can we say about a child or an elderly man when a dog jumps and plays and can knock down an adult? By the way, members of this breed have a particular attitude toward the elderly. The dog is skilled at placing young people and the elderly below itself in the social hierarchy because of its intelligence and self-assurance.

It is dangerous for cats to have such a pet in the house where they reside. Well, "muroks" and "barsiks" are disliked by Catalan shepherds. They treat rodents with composure, but there will undoubtedly be confrontations between members of their kind-tribe, particularly between males.

The Catalan shepherd is an intelligent, self-reliant, loving dog that possesses excellent guarding skills in general.

Care and maintenance

Let’s talk more in-depth about each point now.

A roomy, well-built enclosure is the perfect place to live. The pet should have a booth inside the enclosure that doubles as a home. If total insulation of the enclosure is not feasible, then the regulation solely pertains to the booth.

It is not appropriate to have a Catalan Shepherd on a chain. These dogs will not put up with aggression toward one another, and chain-keeping will make your pet a vicious beast.

Constant access to the site’s territory is the second point. Because they value freedom, "Catalons" dislike being in small places. They should always be walking around the property and only enter the enclosure when they choose to, not because the owners force them to.

Besides "patrolling" their territory, breed members require physical activity. One great way to do this is to chase after a ball or a puller while running through the fields. Mental and physical exercise should be alternated: the pet should run, practice, and then play again as a reward.

Regular brushing and groomer visits are part of grooming. It is advised to take the dog to the groomer once a week during shedding; on other days, brush the animal by yourself.

Daily preventive examinations of the teeth, ears, and eyes are part of hygiene practices. The dog needs to be shown to the veterinarian if there is discharge or an offensive stench.

Education and training

Members of the breed are challenging to train. Because they are accustomed to making their own decisions, dogs will consider whether or not to obey a given command. Although commands take longer for the "Catalon" to learn, they are retained in its memory for a very long period.

A puppy’s education starts with:

1. training to a name;
2. training to a leash and collar;
3. training the rules in a new home. If something is forbidden once, then it is forbidden forever.

The owner of a puppy, particularly one of this breed, needs to raise them consistently and with the "from simple to complex" philosophy in mind.

When it comes to training, you can begin teaching obedience techniques as early as two months of age. It is preferable for owners to get guidance from a qualified dog trainer.

Diet: how and what to feed

Creating a balanced diet for a pet is likely one of the most frequent queries asked by dog owners. While some people support natural food, others favor dry food, and still others favor mixed. The final choice, which combines natural food with dry food, is highly debatable. There are two schools of thought on this: some vets firmly believe that this kind of food should not be given to pets. They base this on the fact that the gastrointestinal tract cannot produce the enzymes needed to process both "dry" and "natural" foods simultaneously.

There is nothing wrong with mixed food, according to the second group. It is up to the owner to decide who to trust and how to feed the pet.

If you decide to go with dry food, you should go for a holistic and ultra-premium brand. When using natural nutrition, it is best to arrange a diet consultation with a veterinary nutritionist, outlining approved and prohibited items.

1. Lean meat (beef, turkey, chicken, rabbit). Chicken meat is given carefully, because it can provoke a strong food allergy in the animal. As for pork, the issue is controversial. Other breeders and owners give dogs pork in small quantities, and someone is categorically against this type of meat in the pet"s diet.
2. Vegetables and fruits.
3. Dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese).
4. Chicken and quail eggs.
5. Cereals in small quantities.
6. Fats (vegetable oil, salmon oil).

The dog receives a complex of vitamins in addition to its natural diet.

Interesting facts

A few fascinating details regarding the breed:

1. The Catalan Shepherd became one of the national breeds of Spain in 1911.
2. In the middle of the 20th century, the breed was on the verge extinction.
3. The Catalan Shepherd puppy became the symbol of the Summer Olympics in 1992.
4. "Catalans" – extremely active dogs.
5. There are two varieties of the breed: long -haired and short -haired Catalan shepherd. The latter is little known even in its homeland.

The Catalan Shepherd, sometimes referred to as the Catalan Sheepdog, is a devoted and industrious breed distinguished by its sharp mind and aptitude for herding cattle. This medium-sized dog, who is originally from Catalonia in Spain, is very trainable and a great friend for active families. Its protective, amiable disposition makes it an excellent watchdog, and its thick coat allows it to adapt to a variety of weather conditions. The Catalan Shepherd is an active, loving, and dependable companion, whether kept as a family pet or on a farm.

Reviews of the owners

Reviews of Catalan shepherds are essentially nonexistent on Russian-speaking websites. However, there are quite a few in the English-speaking world.

The canine is a tempest. After him, there was only one remaining Catalan shepherd. The closest friend in the family. Little, hip hare! Our first choice. Fish for themselves; Nesky monsters for outsiders; and fish for Lokh. Sadly, but the cutest little boy ever.

Frequent questions

Owing to the breed’s rarity in Russia, not many questions exist about it.

In Russia, there aren’t many nurseries dedicated to Catalan shepherd breeding. At the frequent all-breeding exhibitions held in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major cities, you can meet dogs from nurseries and breeders.

No, the breeds are entirely dissimilar. The primary distinctions between the "Catalan" and the Briard are immediately apparent if you examine them closely.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	Catalonia, Spain
Size	Medium
Coat	Long and thick, protects from cold
Color	Fawn, sable, and sometimes black
Temperament	Intelligent, loyal, and hardworking
Exercise needs	High, enjoys outdoor activities
Training	Quick learner, responds well to training
Life expectancy	12-14 years

The Catalan Shepherd breed is devoted and diligent, making it a great choice for both family companionship and herding. They are very trainable due to their intelligence and strong work ethic, and their owners enjoy their loving nature.

In addition, these dogs are renowned for their adaptability, thriving in both urban and rural environments provided they receive adequate mental and physical stimulation. They are great guardians because they develop close relationships with their families and are frequently protective.

Catalan Shepherds make wonderful additions to any household, given the proper care, attention, and training. They are a breed worth considering for active families or individuals due to their responsible yet playful nature.

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