Terceira Mastiff
Also known as: Fila da Terceira Cão de Fila da Terceira
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Portugal
- Height
- 55 cm (22 in)
- Coat
- Short and smooth
- Colour
- Fawn or yellow; with a light mask
- Other names
- Fila da Terceira Cão de Fila da Terceira
intro
The Terceira Mastiff ( Portuguese : Cão de Fila da Terceira ) is an extinct Portuguese dog landrace , also known as the Rabo Torto ( rabo =tail, torto =curled/twisted). [ 1 ] [ page needed ]
History
The Terceira Mastiff came from the island of Terceira , located in the Azores , which is the only island where this dog has ever existed and where it was employed as a house guardian. It descended from the Rafeiro do Alentejo . [ 2 ] In the 1960s, there was an attempt to revive the breed with the aid of the Portuguese government. [ 1 ] However, there was disagreement between government officials and breeders, which led to the project's failure. [ 1 ] After this, the future of the Terceira Mastiff depended solely on local farmers and breed fanciers. By the 1970s, it was already declared extinct. [ 1 ] It is an ancestor to both the Cão Fila de São Miguel and the Fila Brasileiro . This breed is different from the Barbado da Terceira .
Appearance
The Terceira Mastiff was a medium-sized molosser that represented the Fila or Dogo type and resembled the Cão Fila de São Miguel. One of its most remarkable features was an innately short, corkscrew-like tail. [ 1 ] Its nose could be either black, brown, or even pink. [ citation needed ] The colour of the short, smooth [ citation needed ] coat can be either fawn or yellow, always with a light mask. [ 1 ] Red, black and brindle individuals were usually considered to be impure. [ citation needed ] The height was approximately 55 cm (22 in) . [ 1 ]