Discovering the Cão de Gado Transmontano Dog Breed

The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a rare and ancient dog breed that originated in Portugal. It's a large dog with a muscular build and a distinctive appearance.

This breed was developed to herd cattle and other livestock, and its strong work ethic and intelligence make it well-suited for this type of work. The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a loyal companion and a gentle giant, often described as a "gentle soul."

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The Cão de Gado Transmontano has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. This breed originated on the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the high regions of Portugal, where it was used to improve pastoralism.

The breed's evolution is linked to the transhumance route, a traditional practice of moving livestock between summer and winter grazing grounds. In ancient times, this molossus dog was found in the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano was developed as a livestock guardian dog, particularly to protect against Iberian wolf attacks, which are prolific in the area. This breed has evolved over time through selective breeding for the conditions of pastoral farming.

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The breed is related to the Rafeiro do Alentejo, a southern Portuguese cattle dog that would follow the cattle herd in their migrations within the country. As these migrations were curtailed, the two breeds diverged.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano has adapted to the conditions of the region, including the steep fields of pastures and difficult road access. This breed is well-suited to the types of cattle, sheep, and goats that have traditionally grazed in these areas.

Until the second half of the twentieth century, the region was primarily pastoral, but the government of Portugal encouraged land clearance for grain production. However, many of those areas have returned to their previous use as pasture.

Today, more than 95% of the Cão de Gado Transmontano dogs are employed as sheep guardians in the region.

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The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a large and powerful breed. Its size is impressive, with males ranging from 75-85 cm (30-33 in) in height and weighing between 132-165 lb (60-75 kg).

The breed's coat is well-suited for the warm dry climate of the region, being short to medium in length with a dense undercoat. It can be white with large patches of black, yellow, fawn, brindle, or 'wolf grey', or a solid color of fawn, yellow, wolf grey, or brindle.

They have a broad muzzle and large head, with moderately loose-fitting jowls and a single dewlap.

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The breed's coat is well adapted to the warm dry climate of the region, with a short to medium length and a dense undercoat.

The coat is generally white, with large patches of black, yellow, fawn, brindle, or 'wolf grey'.

It can also be of solid color, with options including fawn, yellow, wolf grey, or brindle.

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This breed is indeed the largest of the Portuguese breeds, known for its powerful and muscular physique.

Males can grow up to 85 cm in height, while females reach a maximum height of 78 cm.

They weigh significantly, with males ranging from 132-165 lb and females from 110-130 lb.

Their broad muzzle and large head are striking features, making them easily recognizable.

They have moderately loose-fitting jowls and a single dewlap, adding to their unique appearance.

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The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a breed that's all about being a working dog, and that's reflected in its temperament. They're calm and reserved in the face of threats, but still curious and intelligent.

This breed is known for being able to work well in packs, which is unusual for some breeds. They can even work with intact males and females, although younger males need socialization to temper their dominance.

One thing to keep in mind is that they have a natural instinct to dig under fences and expand their territory, so you'll need to keep an eye on them. They're also high energy dogs that are always ready to defend their flock.

They're excellent guardians, especially at night, and can make many miles along rugged landscapes to protect their herd. They're well adapted to fending off wild predators like wolves, foxes, and boars.

If you're considering bringing a Cão de Gado Transmontano into your life, be aware that they need large spaces to roam and are not suited for apartment living. They also like to burrow and make dens to cope with the heat.

Early training and socialization are essential for this breed, as they can be possessive and jealous. They're highly trainable, but respond better to positive reinforcement than punishment.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano breed has made significant strides in gaining recognition. In 2020, the FCI provisionally recognized the breed.

A small breed association also exists, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving the breed. The government of Portugal plays a crucial role in supporting the breed through its agency Parque Natural de Montesinho.

The agency facilitates the placement of Cão de Gado Transmontano dogs to protect flocks from wolves. This initiative helps to preserve the wolves, a protected species in Portugal, from human conflict.

Grupo Lobo also supports the placement of these dogs to protect flocks from wolves.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a breed with a unique recognition status.

The FCI provisionally recognized the breed in 2020.

There's also a small breed association that supports the breed.

The government of Portugal maintains a breed registry, which is a big deal for the breed's preservation.

Parque Natural de Montesinho, an agency of the Portuguese government, facilitates the placement of these dogs for flock protection from wolves.

Grupo Lobo supports the placement of these dogs, which in turn helps to preserve the wolves, a protected species in Portugal.