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Portuguese Sheepdog

intelligent / devoted / lively
Foundation Stock Service >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

16.5-21.5 inches

Weight

37.5-59 pounds

Life Expectancy

12-13 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    40% 40%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    100% 100%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    80% 80%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    40% 40%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    100% 100%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    80% 80%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Portuguese Sheepdog is incredibly energetic and intelligent. He is very loyal to the shepherd and his flock, yet he might be a little leery of outsiders and watchful at night. He now makes a great security dog, sporting dog, and companion. He is renowned for both his talent in keeping livestock in pastures and for locating stray animals. He is constantly on the lookout for predators and is successful in warning others about them. This breed does its duties with enthusiasm, pleasure, and exceptional devotion.

 

Portuguese Sheepdogs are medium-sized canines that exhibit noticeable sobriety and rusticity. They are also incredibly agile and quick. Without an undercoat, their long hair has a goat-like feel and can be straight or somewhat wavy. The lengthy beard, mustache, and sparsely-furred eyebrows are formed by the coat’s dense and equal distribution. Yellow, brown, wolf grey in tones ranging from light to dark, fawn, and black coat colors are all possible, along with tan markings. This energetic breed is referred to as a “monkey dog” in its native region of Portugal because of its simian-like demeanor and appearance.

 

 

What To Expect When Caring For a Portuguese Sheepdog

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

Although some dogs may experience health issues throughout their life, the majority of Portuguese Sheepdogs are healthy animals. Prospective owners can acquire the knowledge they need to understand particular health issues within the breed by working with a responsible breeder.

Grooming

In addition to weekly grooming, giving your Portuguese Sheepdog a bath every now and again can keep him clean and looking his best. For you and your dog, grooming can be a great way to strengthen your relationship. With a nail clipper or grinder, the strong, quickly developing nails should be frequently cut to prevent overgrowth, splitting, and breaking. Regular ear examinations are necessary to prevent wax and debris buildup, which can lead to an infection. You should brush its teeth frequently.

Exercise

Exercise options include playing outside, especially in a fenced-in area, or going on daily walks. Exercise can also be obtained through indoor games like hide-and-seek, chasing a ball that has been rolled across the floor, or practicing new moves. Swimming, hiking, and retrieving balls or flying discs are some examples of outdoor activities that can be a wonderful way to burn off energy. Getting your dog ready for canine sports like agility, obedience, and rallying can be a terrific way to get him or her moving.  

Training

Nutrition

The Portuguese Sheepdog should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.  

History

Portuguese Sheepdogs are believed to be a relatively new breed, and their origins are unknown. The breed developed in Portugal, most likely in the central and southern regions, and has been discovered in the hilly region of the Serra de Aires since the early 20th century, despite the fact that there are many competing ideas. Other herding breeds from this area, such as the Pyrenean Shepherd and Catalan Sheepdog, have also been known to call it home. Although there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, it has been suggested that the Portuguese Sheepdog descended from a hybrid between these species.

 

The most widely acknowledged theory is that Manuel Inacio de Castro Guimaraes, the first Conde de Castro Guimaraes, acquired a number of Briards from France no earlier than 1909 to herd his flock of sheep. Despite being a highly esteemed herding breed at the time and becoming well-known throughout Europe for effectively assisting France in World War I, Briards were not well-suited to the climate and terrain of Portugal. The Conde’s answer was to breed his Briards with regional herding breeds, perhaps the Catalan Sheepdog and Pyrenean Shepherd mentioned before.

 

This notion is supported only by circumstantial evidence, however, given the characteristics and appearance of the Portuguese Sheepdog, it is quite likely to be accurate. By the end of the 1920s, both in its natural mountainous environment and the neighboring region of Alentejo, this new sheepherding breed had gained considerable notoriety. The Portuguese Sheepdog was spared from the severe population reductions that were common in other European breeds during the period due to Portugal’s minimal engagement in WWI and complete absence from WWII. The breed received full approval from the Portuguese Kennel Club in 1932 thanks to a standard that was created by doctors Antonio Cabral and Felipe Morgado Romeiros. By the 1970s, however, the breed had become extremely rare and was believed to be close to extinction due to contemporary technologies, the urbanization of its native territories, and a lack of international recognition.

 

A group of breeders and owners joined forces to revive the breed starting in the late 1970s. The Portuguese Sheepdog was developed to be more of a companion dog thanks to the encouragement of a new generation of fanciers in the 1980s, and middle-class Portuguese suburbanites were the ones to discover it.

 

In 1996, the breed was lastly given official recognition by the FCI as a member of the Herding Group. With just a very small number of dogs still herding in the breed’s native mountain region, the breed is still uncommon outside of Portugal and is virtually exclusively seen as a companion.