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Breed Characteristics
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Catalan Sheepdog
| Other Names | Gos d'Atura Català, Catalonian Shepherd, Catalonian Sheepdog |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
| Weight | 45 - 60 lbs. (20.5 - 27 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 18.5 - 22 in. (47 - 55 cm) Females: 17.5 - 21 in. (44 - 53 cm( |
| Coat | Long, flat, or very slightly wavy, rough with abundant undercoat on the whole posterior third of the body. On the head a beard, moustaches, tuft and eyebrows which do not affect sight can be noticed. Tail well covered with hair as are all four limbs. It is noticeable that during moulting a typical phenomenon may be observed: it occurs in two periods. First of all it affects the coat on the front part, giving the impression of two halves with different coats; then moults the hind part of the dog and everything becomes uniform again. |
| Colour | Seen from afar the dog seems to be unicolour and may have lighter shadings at the limbs. When seen close up, it is noticeable that the colour comes from a mixture of hairs of different colour shades: fawn, brown more or less reddish, grey and black. |
| Litter Size | 3-8 Puppies |
| Life Span | 10 - 12 years |
| Origin & History | The Catalan sheepdog is a breed of Catalan pyrenean dog used as a sheepdog. This dog is bred in Europe, especially in Spain, Finland, Germany, and Sweden. |
| Personality | This breed is used for herding and as a pet dog. Because of its intelligence, the Catalan Sheepdog, like most sheepdogs, are easy to train. This cheerful dog excels at dog-sports, such as agility and doggy-dance. In spite of its appearance, this courageous dog is also used as a watch-dog. An "all-around-dog" and great companion. They guard sheep without needing instruction. Early socialization is important, particularly if the dog will be around children. The dogs defend their family and become attached to it. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Catalan sheepdogs are prone to hip dysplasia. |
| Grooming | Take time for grooming to have an attractive and healthy dog. Expect the minimum time required to be two hours a week and much longer if you have been remiss. |
| Exercise | Enough (outdoor) activity and distraction makes this dog a quiet and well-balanced home companion. This breed is appropriate for people with firm techniques and who can give the dog enough exercise. The Catalan Sheepdog can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at non-competitive herding tests. Catalan sheepdogs exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials. |
| Other Considerations | Some do well in apartments while others do not. It all depends on the lines of the dog and how much time an owner spends with the dog and how much exercise it receives. Catalan Sheepdog in Popular Culture; Coronel from One Hundred and One Dalmatians and 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure is a Catalan Sheepdog. Einstein from Back to the Future is a Catalan Sheepdog Cobi, the official mascot of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, is a Catalan Sheepdog. |
