A big cattle dog running at lightning speed between the herd to bring a runaway back would certainly make an astounding impression. Obviously, the dog has the courage of an outstanding herding dog. The square shaped muscular body is covered with short sleek fur that can be grey, brindled or fawn in color. Although the dog is larger in size than other herding dogs, the size does not make it less agile. In fact its elegant and efficient herding ability is seldom seen in other herding dogs. The Azores Cattle Dog – the very rare breed of herding dog hails from Portugal.
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. Sao Miguel, the largest among the Azorean Islands was covered with dense vegetation during the 15th century. To take advantage of the thick and rich vegetation, the sailors of Prince Henry have decided to let loose cattle on the fringes of the island. Fourteen years later, large herds of unruly cattle practically covered the island. To take the issue in hand, it was decided that a breed has to be developed.
The Fila de Terceira is the ancestor of the breed that is now called Azores Cattle Dog and Cao Fila de Sao Miguel. The crossing of this breed with molosser type dogs created the Azores Cattle Dog, a breed acclaimed for its remarkable herding abilities. It was widely accepted that the breed is already in existence in 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. This is a working breed. Obviously, the dog would not thrive in an apartment being kept mainly as a home companion. This dog has to be allowed to perform what it does best to herd and to guard.
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