Palleiro Cattledog

Descended from old Eastern-European and Indian working dogs, the Can de Palleiro was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the nomadic Visigoth, Norman, Celtic and other tribes. Related to the Castro Laboreiro, but also belonging to the Continental Sheepdog group, it was commonly crossed with Picardy Sheepdogs, Dutch Shepherds and other livestock herders of France, Belgium, Germany and Spain. The Galician Palleiro Dog is a rugged, hard working and intelligent breed, valued for its health and superb drive. Bred for working qualities only, the Palleiro Shepherd has existed in a variety of types for centuries, but during the 1800's the breed's appearance became consistent and somewhat uniform. However, the World Wars of the 20th century drove the breed to near-extinction, leaving behind only a small number of pure specimens, most of which suffered the indiscriminate crossings with the German Shepherd Dog and the Scottish Collie in the post-WW2 years. While these matings are believed by some to be tragic for the original Can de Palleiro, other enthusiasts see them as a salvation for the breed. The working dog population slowly grew in Galicia during the second half of the 20th century, resulting in the revival of the Palleiro Cattledog, which once again became a national treasure, celebrated for its personality, beauty and working abilities. In an effort to preserve and promote their native breed, the Galician government produced the official Standard and fully recognized the Can de Palleiro in 2001, followed by a formation of the 1st Breed Club in 2002, which is focused on organizing various working trials and Dog Show exhibitions.

While reserved with strangers and somewhat unfriendly towards other dogs, the Can de Palleiro is a loyal and gentle companion to his master and family members. This is a trainable and smart dog, enjoying lots of excercise and mental stimulation. The Galician Palleiro Sheepdog has a strong back, muscular neck and a wide chest. The lupoid head is fairly broad and powerful, with a strong muzzle and erect ears. Agile and athletic, the Can de Palleiro is a tireless worker and a very fast runner. While some longhaired specimens still exist, they're no longer as valued as their shorter-coated counterparts.

The weatherproof coat is hard and dense, much thicker in the winter months, coming in solid shades of fawn, wheaten, chestnut, brown, grey and black colours. Differently coloured examples can be found, but aren't preferred. Average height is around 24 inches.