Overview
The Portuguese Sheepdog, or Cão da Serra de Aires, is a medium-sized herding dog from the Alentejo region of Portugal. Its furry face and lively attitude earned it the nickname cão macaco, the monkey dog.
Beyond the farm it has become a companion and sports partner in Europe, and it remains a fairly rare dog.
History
Its ancestors herded cattle, sheep, goats, horses and even pigs in the Serra de Aires and across the Alentejo. Records are scarce, as with most working herders, but it is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan sheepdogs, and perhaps to Briards imported to Portugal in the early 1900s and crossed with Pyrenean Sheepdogs.
The first standard was written by Antonio Cabral and Felipe Morgado Romeiros and accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club. The FCI recognised the breed in 1996, and the United Kennel Club followed in 2006.
Appearance
A medium-sized dog with a rather long body, standing 45 to 55 cm and weighing 17 to 27 kg. The long coat has a medium thickness and a goat-like texture, with no undercoat. Ears are high-set and hang close to the head, and the tail is long and never docked.
Colours include yellow, chestnut, grey, fawn, wolf grey and black, with tan marks. White hairs may be mixed in, but large white patches are not wanted.
Temperament
The breed standard calls the Portuguese Sheepdog exceptionally intelligent and very lively. It is attentive, quick to learn and eager to work alongside its person.
Its herding instinct is strong, so it does best with a job or sport to occupy its mind.
Care and exercise
Plenty of daily exercise and mental work is needed. Agility, obedience, flyball, tracking and herding trials all suit it well.
The coat is without undercoat, so regular brushing prevents tangles, and the dog is less weatherproof than many herders, so give it shelter in extreme weather.
Health
No recurring health problems are documented for the breed. It can be prone to ehrlichiosis spread by ticks, and abdominal tumours may appear in older dogs, so regular ultrasound checks are advised from about eight years of age.
