Catalan Sheepdog

The Catalan Sheepdog, or Gos d’Atura Català, is a Spanish herding dog from the valleys and foothills of the Pyrenees in Catalonia. It was traditionally used to herd livestock, especially sheep and horses, and today it is also kept as a companion. From its home region it has spread through Catalonia and much of Spain, and there are breed societies in Finland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

History

The breed comes from the varied population of long-haired herding dogs that once worked across the Pyrenees, the same stock that gave rise to the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Euskal Artzain Txakurra. It was recognised as a breed in 1911, when the Spanish national kennel society was formed. The first breed standard was written in 1929, and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale adopted it when it gave the breed full acceptance in 1954. A new standard followed in 1982 and was revised in 1984, the year the Club del Gos d’Atura Català was founded.

Appearance

Males stand 47 to 55 cm (about 18.5 to 22 in) at the withers and weigh 20 to 25 kg (44 to 55 lb). Females stand 45 to 53 cm (about 18 to 21 in) and weigh 17 to 21 kg (37 to 46 lb).

The coat is long, rough and flat or very slightly wavy, with plenty of undercoat over the rear third of the body. The head carries a beard, moustache, topknot and eyebrows, none of which should get in the way of the dog’s sight, and the tail and all four legs are well covered. Colors run from fawn to dark sable and from light to dark gray. From a distance the dog looks a single color, perhaps a little lighter on the legs, but up close the coat proves to be a blend of fawn, reddish brown, gray and black hairs.

The molt is unusual in that it happens in two stages. The front half of the dog sheds first, so that for a while it seems to wear two different coats, and then the back half follows. A short-haired variety also exists, but it is close to extinction.

Temperament

The Catalan Sheepdog is an intelligent, cheerful dog that is easy to train, and it will guard sheep without being taught. It does well in dog sports such as agility, and despite its soft looks it is brave enough to serve as a watchdog. It becomes attached to its family and defends it. With enough outdoor activity and things to do, it is calm and steady at home. It suits owners who are firm and can give it plenty of exercise, and early socialization matters, particularly where the dog will live with children.

Care and health

The breed is prone to hip dysplasia. Its average lifespan is 12 to 14 years.

Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.