The Portuguese Sheepdog is a natural herder that is completely dedicated to its work. While they do not serve this purpose anymore, their herding DNA comes out in different ways, such as being very protective of their family. This dog displays an unbelievable level of loyalty, and it would probably not be the best idea to make their family feel threatened when they’re around.
As their name suggests, this breed originated in Portugal in the early 1900s. They are rarely found outside their home country, and even within Portugal, they are considered to be very rare. In their hometown, the breed is referred to as “Cão da Serra de Aires” which refers to a mountain range in Portugal. Another great nickname that they received is “Cão Macaco”, which means “Monkey Dog”. This name was given to them because of their habit of making quizzical faces that resemble that of a monkey.
The Portuguese Sheepdog is a breed that will form extremely close bonds with its family. This combined with the fact that they are quite wary of strangers makes them very serious watchdogs. They are always on alert for any potential threats and will not be afraid to take action if they feel as though it is necessary. While these dogs are not huge, weighing between 35-60 pounds, they are very strong and can certainly hold their ground.
This breed has a high energy level and will need daily exercise. They are highly intelligent as well, so interactive games are a great way to keep their minds stimulated. The Portuguese Sheepdog is a fantastic companion for an active owner as these dogs love going on walks and hikes. They will love nothing more than heading to the park for a day of running and playing, and you can be sure that you will be a happier owner too when they come back home from a run and they are not jumping all over your furniture. As the saying goes…”A tired dog is a good dog!”
