Lessinia and Lagorai Shepherd

The Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai is an Italian herding dog of the eastern Alps, working the high pastures of the Veneto and Trentino.

History

It has moved sheep on the Lessinia plateau and around the Lagorai chain for centuries, kept by shepherds who also brought Alpine herding stock over the passes. It was documented and recognised by the Italian kennel club only in the twenty-first century, after a survey found the working population still intact in the mountains.

Temperament

The breed is known for being attentive, hard-working and closely tied to its shepherd, watchful with strangers and steady with stock.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and real work; a herding dog on the wrong end of an empty day will herd whatever is available. The long coat sheds and needs regular brushing.

Health

Generally robust from working selection; nothing is widely documented as breed-specific. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.