Majorca Shepherd Dog
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Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Spain
- Weight
- about 40 kg
- Height
- Males
- Other names
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Use
It is a traditional working pastoral dog , used principally in the management of sheep, but also with cattle and goats. The dogs may also be the fierce guardians of estancias or rural dwellings; male dogs in particular are highly territorial and often combative among themselves. [ 4 ] : 504
intro
The Ca de Bestiar , also known as the Majorca Shepherd Dog or Spanish : Perro de Pastor Mallorquín , is a Spanish breed of shepherd dog indigenous to the island of Mallorca , in the Balearic Islands of Spain. It is used as a shepherd dog, or as a watchdog or guard dog for rural property. [ 2 ] It is one of four recognised dog breeds of the island, the others being the Ca de Bou , the Ca Mè Mallorquí and the Ca Rater Mallorquí . It is of medium size. The coat is usually short, but may also be long; it is entirely black, either with or without a white patch on the chest. [ 2 ]
History
The Ca de Bestiar is a traditional shepherd dog of the Balearic island of Mallorca ; its origins are unknown. [ 3 ] : 376 While it is mentioned in some earlier texts, the first descriptions of it date from the nineteenth century. [ 4 ] : 502 [ 5 ] In 1980 a breed standard was approved and the Ca de Bestiar was recognised by the Real Sociedad Central para el Fomento de las Razas Caninas en España , as the national kennel club was known at that time. [ 4 ] : 503 [ 6 ] The breed was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1982. [ 7 ] [ 6 ] In 2001 it was recognised as a national breed by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación , the Spanish ministry of agriculture. [ 4 ] : 503 [ 1 ] : 21159 [ 6 ] A breed association , the Club del Ca de Bestiar , was recognised by the government of the Balearic Islands in 2002. [ 4 ] : 502 [ 8 ] In 2024 the total number of the dogs was reported to be 507, more than twice the number of the other large dog of the islands, the Ca de Bou , of which there were 243 examples. [ 9 ] : 4 In 2026 both were among the sixteen Spanish dog breeds considered by the Real Sociedad Canina de España to be vulnerable . [ 10 ]
Characteristics
It is of medium size, with a body weight in the region of 40 kg . [ 11 ] Heights at the withers are usually in the ranges 62 to 68 cm for bitches and 66 to 73 cm for dogs; [ 1 ] : 21159 the height at the rump is equal to the height at the withers. [ 4 ] : 503 The dogs are usually short-haired, with a close-fitting smooth outer coat about 1.5–3 cm in length, and a thin fine undercoat. [ 2 ] [ 12 ] Both the national and the international breed standard also describe a longer coat, with outer hair about 7 cm long; [ 1 ] : 21159 [ 2 ] this variant is rare or possibly extinct. [ 3 ] : 377 The only recognised coat colour is black, in various shades, either with or without a white patch on the chest. [ 2 ] [ 11 ] Other coat colours may occur in working dogs, [ 4 ] : 503 as may brindled patterning. [ 3 ] : 377 The skin is pale grey. [ 12 ] The ears are triangular in shape and hang close to the head. [ 12 ]