Other name: Terceira Cattle Dog.

The Barbado da Terceira is a Portuguese breed of herding and guard dog from the Atlantic island of Terceira in the Azores, for which it is named. It was recognised by the Direcção-Geral de Veterinária of Portugal in 2004.

History

The Barbado da Terceira derives from the various dogs brought to the Azores by colonists and visitors since the settlement of the islands began in the fifteenth century, particularly from those with an aptitude for cattle herding. It was used both as a herding dog and as a guard dog.

It was recognised by the Direcção-Geral de Veterinária of Portugal in 2004, based on the results of a collaboration between the Clube Português de Canicultura, the Direcção Regional de Agricultura of Terceira and the University of the Azores. A census in 2005 found 222 of the dogs.

The Barbado da Terceira is a medium-sized dog, with a voluminous and robust look. The heights and weights are 52 to 58 cm and 25 to 30 kg for males, 48 to 54 cm and 21 to 26 kg for females. Height has a tolerance range between 48 and 50 cm. The head is strong, with parallel axes. The muzzle is relatively short and wide, with abundant beards which name the breed. The nose is wide and cube-shaped, framing the face with a characteristic look. Their eyes are very expressive, showing intelligence and naughtiness; their colour varies between honey and dark brown, but they should not be totally or partially blue. When not cropped, the ears are medium-sized, hanging and set high. The neck is short and well-muscled. The body, bulky and with a deep chest, is just slightly longer than the height at the withers. The tail has a medium to low setting; it is usually long reaching at least the hock, but bobtails or cropped are accepted. The limbs are well-muscled and broad boned; the posteriors are well angulated showing a good impulsion.