Catalan Sheepdog
- Medium
- FCI Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs)
The Catalan Sheepdog is an alert, courageous herding breed from Spain's Catalonia, with a smiling face and distinctive facial hair. Energetic and loyal, it works in any weather and settles into a devoted family dog at home.
- Height
- 18 to 22
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 37 to 55
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14
- years, median 13
- Senior from
- 9.8
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Origin
- Spain
- Recognized
- 1954
The Catalan Sheepdog is an alert, courageous working dog that doubles as a loyal, affectionate family pet. It pairs real herding drive with a cheerful attitude, distinctive facial hair, and a friendly, smiling face.
This is a medium-sized breed with balanced proportions, standing about 18 to 22 inches tall and weighing roughly 37 to 55 pounds. Good-natured and energetic, these dogs carry a natural instinct to watch over their flock and make decisions on their own while monitoring sheep. They work in any weather, never bothered by heat, rain, or cold.
Also called the Perro de Pastor Catalan or Gos d'Atura Catala, the breed comes from Catalonia in northeast Spain. Tradition holds that it took shape when Romans brought their dogs to Spain and crossed them with native Catalan dogs, producing herders that guarded and worked livestock alongside shepherds.
Still relatively rare, the breed served as messengers and sentry dogs in the Spanish Civil War. Its numbers fell after World War II, and selective breeding programs in the 1970s helped it recover. Today the breed is popular in its native Spain, with growing numbers in Germany, Sweden, and Finland. A major US kennel registry recognized it in 2006, and a UK registry followed three years later, adding it to the import register as a working dog.
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
Feed your Catalan Sheepdog a diet formulated for its life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. A food made for medium-size breeds carries a blend of nutrients suited to their size and activity level.
Like all dogs, they can gain excess weight if they eat too many calories, so watch portions carefully. Measure meals with a cup to avoid overfeeding, and keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories.
Grooming
Brush your Catalan Sheepdog's coat a few times a week to keep mats and tangles from forming. During seasonal shedding you may need to brush daily to manage loose hair and keep it off your furniture.
Trim the nails and clean the ears regularly. Keep your dog on a lifelong dental care program that includes at-home teeth brushing and professional cleanings.
Exercise
Daily work should form part of the Catalan Sheepdog's exercise routine, reflecting the breed's natural needs as a working dog. Suitable activities include agility, canicross, and hiking.
Sheep work provides another outlet for its working abilities. When starting canicross, dog and handler may need patience while they become accustomed to running together.
Training
Smart and hard-working, Catalan Sheepdogs respond well to training. Positive reinforcement and consistency are the strongest tools for teaching this breed commands and tricks.
Early socialization is just as important. Introduce your puppy to different people, places, and situations while they are young, which helps them grow into a friendly, predictable adult.
At home, Catalan Sheepdogs are usually good with children when adults supervise and friendly with other dogs and pets, though they can be wary of strangers.
Health conditions
1 condition is documented for the Catalan Sheepdog.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Hip DysplasiaBone & Joint
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