Castro Laboreiro Dog

The Cão de Castro Laboreiro is a Portuguese mountain guardian from the north-west, named for the village it comes from.

History

It has guarded cattle and homesteads in the Peneda-Gerês mountains against wolves for centuries, and unlike the white flock guardians of Iberia it works dark-coated and close to the herd. It is one of Portugal's oldest breeds and remains rare outside the region.

Temperament

The breed is known for being loyal, serious and highly territorial, deeply attached to its own household and openly suspicious of everyone else — a guardian that acts on its own judgement.

Care and training

It needs space, secure boundaries and thorough socialising, and an owner who understands guarding breeds. The short dense coat is easy.

Health

Generally robust from hard working selection, with hip dysplasia among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.