Barbado da Terceira

The Barbado da Terceira is a Portuguese cattle dog from Terceira in the Azores — a shaggy island herder recognised as a breed only in the twenty-first century.

History

It worked cattle on the Azorean island of Terceira, where it drove stock across small walled fields and was also used to catch loose animals. Portuguese recognition arrived in 2004, formalising a farm dog that had been there for generations.

Temperament

The breed is known for being intelligent, willing and closely bonded to its household, easy with children and businesslike with stock.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and work. The long shaggy coat needs regular brushing. It trains readily and enjoys having a task.

Health

Generally robust; nothing is widely documented as specific to this recently recognised breed. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.