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Monday, 27 August 2012

Sao Miguel Cattle Dog

By Jerry Welsh


A large dog rustic dog seen speedily weaving in and out between the cattle to bring a runaway back to the herd would be an impressive sight. Obviously, the dog has the courage of an outstanding herding dog. Fawn, grey or brindled short smooth fur covers the dog's muscular square shaped body. Unlike other herders, this dog has a larger body but the size is not an impediment that cause the dog to be less agile. The dog's elegant and efficient working ability is not seen in other dogs. This is the Azores Cattle Dog, an extremely rare breed that is rarely seen outside Portugal, its country of origin.

From the time it was created and up to the present, the Azores Cattle Dog has always been a most valued dog that has an outstanding ability to herd unruly cattle. Back in the 15th century, Sao Miguel Island, the biggest island in the Azores is densely covered with vegetation. To take advantage of the abundant life plant Prince Henry's sailors have brought cattle and left the herds on the island. In fourteen years, the cattle that were left on the island have flourished and grown into unmanageable herds. To take the issue in hand, it was decided that a breed of dog with excellent herding qualities must be developed.

The Azores Cattle Dog also known as Cao Fila De Sao Miguel was developed from the Fila de Terceira breed. The Fila de Terceira was crossed with mollosers and resulted to the creation of the outstanding herding breed, the Azores Cattle Dog. It was accepted that the breed is already in existence since the 1800s.

The herding ability is innate in this breed thus it would need very little training to perform is herding duties efficiently. An Azores Cattle Dog has the aggressive temperament that is considered as an asset of a good guard dog. An Azores Cattle Dog was specifically developed to be a herder. The aggressive personality is vital in the performance of its duties thus very little effort was made to refine its ferocious temperament.

An Azores Cattle Dog is a very efficient herder and a dependable guard dog but it is not suitable for first time dog owners. This breed would need a dominant owner that will be able to make the dog toe the line and one that will understand the special needs of this breed. It must be realized that an Azores Cattle Dog is first and foremost a working breed. Obviously, the dog would not thrive in an apartment being kept mainly as a home companion. The dog has to be allowed to perform what it does best to herd and to guard.




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