Portuguese Sheepdog — breed standard (FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Portuguese Sheepdog — breed standard (FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The breed's country of origin is Portugal.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Its FCI standard is number 93, in Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, except Swiss), Section 1 Sheepdogs, with no working trial.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Its use is as a sheepdog for herding and guarding livestock.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Height at the withers is 45 to 55 cm for males and 42 to 52 cm for females, with a weight of 17 to 27 kg for both sexes.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is long, straight or slightly wavy, with a slightly harsh goat-like feel and no undercoat; it forms a beard, moustache and brows, and is very long over the head, body and limbs including between the toes.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Colours are yellow, brown, grey, fawn or wolf-grey in light, medium or dark shades, with black, usually carrying tan markings of varying prominence; pied patterns are not allowed except for a very small white chest spot.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The temperament is exceptionally intelligent and very lively, devoted to the shepherd and flock yet wary of strangers and alert at night; it makes a good companion, sporting and guard dog, keeps livestock together, finds strays, and warns of predators, working with evident enjoyment.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Disqualifying faults include aggression or extreme shyness, clear physical or behavioural abnormality, a lymphatic or light-boned build with serious proportion errors, a narrow or long head, a narrow/flat/globular skull, low-set or erect ears, a convex muzzle, undershot or overshot jaw missing more than two premolars, total lack of pigment (albinism), a docked or absent tail, short/curly/undercoated hair, white on the limb extremities or pied pattern, missing tan points in brown/grey/black adults, and over- or undersize.