![]() These dogs are therefore fervent followers of the water, but as fishing strategies have become increasingly sophisticated and modern, their use on fishing boats has become obsolete, resulting in a sharp decline in the number of specimens of this breed. Portuguese Water Dogs have always been - and still are - the faithful companions of Portuguese fishermen, living alongside them on the boats, accompanying them in the difficult sea journeys in search of food. A description that corresponds perfectly to the physical appearance of Portuguese water dogs. In that year, a monk wrote a text in which he reported the rescue of a sailor by a dog with a "long black coat, shorn to the first rib, and with a tuft at the end of the tail". Its origin is relatively unknown, with reports of this breed dating back to 1297. As its name indicates, it is in the water that it feels best, and that it has developed its characteristics. ![]() The Portuguese Water Dog is native of the Algarve region (southern Portugal). Photo of Barack Obama's Portuguese water dog, named Bo (source: is the best known dog breed from Portugal, thanks in part to the publicity given by Bo and Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dogs that walked the halls of the White House and accompanied Barack Obama during his years as President of the United States of America. Fortunately, thanks to centuries of development through natural selection, the Serra da Estrela dog has become a breed not very prone to serious health problems, having, as a large dog, a tendency to suffer from some of the pathologies such as dysplasia of the hip, torsion of the stomach and dilated cardiomyopathy. It is, in all its splendor, the figure of greatness before its faithful and reliable owners. This breed of dog is the faithful companion of the Portuguese shepherd, both for the protection of the flock and for the protection of his properties. Its average life expectancy is 12 years and its coat is mainly brown, with possible mixtures of gray, fawn and yellow. It is not adapted to living in an apartment, but rather to large spaces. The Serra da Estrela dog can measure between 62 and 72 cm and weigh between 30 and 50 kg. Aesthetically, the long and shiny coat of this mountain dog requires regular brushing, but when it is well done, it turns the animal into a beautiful and imposing specimen.Ĭharacteristics of the Cão da Serra da Estrela It is in this context that the Serra da Estrela Dog developed its independent attitude and strong character, which is considered by some as something positive, since it is not a "needy" dog or one that requires a lot of social attention. Legend has it that in Visigothic times, Estrela Mountain Dogs accompanied men and their cattle to defend both the shepherd and the cattle from wolves and other predators. ![]() ![]() It is a guard, surveillance and hunting dog, known for its characteristic apathy towards humans. These dogs bred to guard livestock are said to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the Iberian Peninsula, very intelligent and loyal. It is a large dog breed, with a long and dense coat resembling the one of a sheep - after all, it is a dog bred mainly for herding activities in the Serra da Estrela, the most popular mountain range in the country. It is one of the most famous Portuguese dog breeds in the country. Photo of an adult Serra da Estrela dog (source: can't talk about the dog breeds of Portugal without mentioning the Estrela Moutain Dog.
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