Castro Laboreiro Dog Breed Overview and Characteristics

The Castro Laboreiro Dog is a rare and ancient breed from Portugal, with a history dating back to the 16th century.

They are a medium-sized dog with a muscular build, weighing between 45-65 pounds and standing 20-24 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their distinctive appearance features a thick, rough coat that's usually black and tan in color, with a docked tail and erect ears.

This breed is known for its loyalty and protective nature, making them excellent companions for active families or individuals.

The Castro Laboreiro Dog is a large breed with a muscular build, standing between 50-60 cm (20-24 in) tall at the withers. Its weight is typically around 40 kg (88 lbs).

Its head is of medium size, showing lightness rather than coarseness, with a smooth and well-developed skin. The muzzle is long, straight, and strong, tapering gradually towards the tip.

The eyes are of medium size, almond-shaped, and slanting, set level, and brown in color, ranging from light brown to dark brown. The expression is somewhat severe, and the eyelids are black.

Its body is moderately long, with a level or slightly sloping top line and a well-set withers. The back is strong and medium in length, while the loin is short and broad.

Its tail is set fairly high, thick at the base, and reaches to the hock joint, with a saber shape and well-furnished underside. The coat is short, thick, and coarse, with a brindle pattern featuring different shades of grey, black, and brown.

The Castro Laboreiro Dog is a large dog, but not oversized, with a height of no more than 60 cm (24 in) at the withers.

Its weight should not exceed 40 kg (88 lbs), with females being somewhat smaller.

The dog's coat is short, thick, and coarse, with a unique brindle pattern that's often described as "mountain colour" or similar to a wolf's coat.

This colouring features a base of different shades of grey overlaid with lighter and darker shades of black brindling, giving the dog a distinctive appearance.

The Castro Laboreiro Dog has a well-developed head with a long, straight muzzle and a black nose that's always in line with the nosebridge.

Its eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and slanting, with a brown colour that ranges from light brown to dark brown, almost black.

The dog's ears are fairly high-set, thin, and almost triangular, with a rounded tip and a medium size.

The Castro Laboreiro Dog's body is rectangular in shape, with a level or slightly sloping top line and a well-set withers that connects smoothly to the neck and body.

Its chest is oval-shaped, medium-width, and medium-depth, with a considerable rise from the sternum to the groin.

The dog's tail is set fairly high, thick at the base, and reaches to the hock joint, with a saber-shaped profile and a well-furnished underside.

The Castro Laboreiro Dog's coat is also notable for its thickness and length, particularly on the buttocks, which are very hairy.

The dog's overall proportions are moderately long, with a length-to-height ratio of 7:6, and a chest depth that's slightly less than half of its height at the withers.

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The forequarters of the animal are a crucial aspect of its physical characteristics. Strong and well-muscled, the forequarters are designed for optimal performance.

From the front and sides, the forequarters appear very straight, showcasing well-developed bones.

The health and grooming needs of the Castro Laboreiro dog are relatively straightforward. This breed is generally a healthy one, but like all dogs, it's not immune to potential health issues.

The Castro Laboreiro is a rare breed, and as such, there isn't a lot of data on its specific health concerns. However, responsible breeders will be able to provide information on the health testing done on the sire and dam, which can give you a better idea of the breed's overall health.

In terms of grooming, the Castro Laboreiro is a low-maintenance breed. They require only occasional brushing and the usual routine maintenance procedures like nail clipping and ear cleaning. They are also an outdoor dog, so shedding is not a major concern.

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Here are some potential health issues to be aware of in the Castro Laboreiro:

It's worth noting that the Castro Laboreiro's small gene pool means that many of them may be at risk of inherited health issues. Regular testing and monitoring by a veterinarian can help identify any potential problems early on.

The health of a Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a concern for many potential owners. The breed's small gene pool means that many dogs may be at risk of inherited health problems.

There are no documented health concerns specific to the breed, but responsible breeders should be able to provide information about health testing done on the sire and dam.

The lack of health studies on the breed makes it impossible to make any definitive statement on its health. However, similar breeds have been found to have certain health issues.

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat/gastric torsion, access, extraversion, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy/PRA are some of the health problems that have been discovered in similar breeds.

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Responsible breeders will be able to provide information about health testing done on the sire and dam, which can help identify potential health defects.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) perform genetic and other tests to identify potential health defects. It's advisable for owners to keep their pets by both OFA and CERF.

Here are some health issues that have been discovered in similar breeds:

The Cao de Castro Laborio is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.

This breed should never require professional grooming, only very occasional brushing.

Nail clipping and ear cleaning are routine maintenance procedures required for all breeds, including the Cao de Castro Laborio.

As an outdoor dog, the Cao de Castro Laborio sheds, but the frequency and heaviness of shedding are unknown.

It's reasonable to assume that this breed sheds heavily, but no reports are available to confirm this.

This breed is highly trainable, and they love to perform tricks and learn new ones quickly. They respond exceptionally well to positive rewards-based training methods.

If you're considering bringing a Castro Laboreiro Dog into your family, be aware that they require a lot of attention and companionship. Regularly leaving them alone for long periods can lead to undesirable behavior.

Their loyalty and docile nature make them a wonderful companion, but they can also be quite vigilant and active. This means they'll be happy to patrol your property and serve as a sentinel, alerting you to any potential threats with their distinctive alarm bark.

The Cao De Castro Laboreiro's gait is a beautiful sight to behold. Their easy, rhythmical gait is a result of their legs moving parallel to the median plane of their body.

This natural gait is usually reserved for a leisurely walk or an amble, with the dog only breaking into a trot or gallop when it feels strongly motivated to do so.

One of the most common gaits for this breed is a natural walk, which they seem to enjoy immensely.

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This breed is a loyal and docile companion to its family. It's essential for flock protection against wolf attacks, which are still a concern in its area of origin.

It's very agile and active, but can show some hostility without being quarrelsome. This means it may not be the best fit for inexperienced dog owners.

Its constant vigilance makes it an ideal sentinel of property, patrolling it frequently. This is a great asset for owners who want to keep their property secure.

The breed has a characteristic alarm bark that starts with a deep sound, rises to low-pitched, and ends in prolonged high-pitched sounds. This bark is a clear warning that something is amiss.

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Training is crucial for this breed, and initial socialization and puppy training classes are highly recommended.

They have a reputation for being difficult to house, but in reality, they're very easy to train. They love to perform tricks and learn new ones quickly.

This breed responds extremely well to positive rewards-based training, rather than harsh or negative methods. They thrive on praise and attention, making training a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog.

Regularly leaving them alone for long periods of time can lead to undesirable behavior, so it's essential to make them a part of your family and provide the attention they crave.

Cão de Fila de São Miguel is a breed known for its protective instincts, often wary of strangers. They have a strong sense of loyalty to their family.

Cão de Fila de São Miguel requires early socialization to help them become confident and calm in the presence of new people and environments. This can be done by exposing them to various situations and people from an early age.

Their independent nature can make training challenging, but consistency and positive reinforcement can help them learn. With patience and persistence, they can become well-behaved companions.

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