Castro Laboreiro DogCharacteristics, history, training and care

The breed takes its name from the village of Castro Laboreiro, in the municipality of Melgaço, in the far north of Portugal. It is a rugged, mountainous area, with altitudes of up to 1,400 metres, between the Minho, Trancoso, Laboreiro and Mouro rivers.

The dogs worked alongside shepherds in the mountains, defending the flocks from wolves and other large predators. Wikipedia says that, as wolves disappeared from many areas and farming changed, many dogs were abandoned. Today the breed is kept mainly as a companion and guard dog.

How the breed developed

• 19th century – The first written mentions of Castro Laboreiro dogs appear.
• 1882 – The writer Camilo Castelo Branco mentions them in the novella “A Brasileira de Prazins”.
• 1914 – The breed is shown at a dog show for the first time.
• 24 May 1955 – The FCI recognises the breed.
• 4 November 2008 – the current FCI standard is published.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile; the rating is based on the FCI standard (“loyal and docile with the family, very vigilant”).

It is a vigorous dog with a slightly mastiff-like look and an often striking coat. Its expression is stern and serious, with the ruggedness of the mountains.

General appearance

The almond-shaped, slanting eyes are brown, from light to almost black, depending on the coat colour. The thin, almost triangular ears hang beside the head and turn forward when it is alert. The natural, bushy tail reaches the hock.

The most common colour is wolf colour, and the most prized is “mountain colour”: brindle on a grey background, with lighter and darker black stripes. The hairs can have three colours, from pine-seed colour to reddish and mahogany. A small white patch on the chest is allowed.

The standard describes it as a loyal and docile companion for the family. Always vigilant, it is an ideal sentinel that often patrols the property.

It may be hostile towards strangers, without being quarrelsome. Early socialisation helps it stay balanced.

Tips for effective training

• Socialise it early. New people and situations, from the first months.
• Be calm and consistent. It responds well to a confident owner.
• Work on barking. It has a very powerful alarm bark.
• Give it a territory. It likes to patrol and keep watch.

It is a very agile and active dog, bred for the mountains. It needs space and daily exercise.

Tips for a balanced life

• The fence must be high and solid.
• It suits a house with a yard, in the countryside.
• Think of the neighbours: the alarm bark carries a long way.

Coat and skin care

The short coat, with no undercoat, is easy to care for, with one brushing a week.

Common health problems

There are no known hereditary diseases specific to the breed. Modern genetic studies have shown that the breed is distinct from other similar breeds in Portugal.

Other care

• Trim the nails regularly.
• Check the ears and teeth once a week.
• Check for ticks after outings in the mountains.

Adjust the portion to its actual weight and how much it moves.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give it its food in two meals a day to reduce the risk of bloat.
• Fresh water should always be available.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• A bark that rises. The standard says its alarm bark starts deep and rises to a higher pitch.
• “Mountain colour”. Breeders in Castro Laboreiro consider grey brindle a traditional trait of the breed.
• Wolves are still common. The standard says that, in its area of origin, wolf attacks are still frequent.
• It appears in a book from 1882. Camilo Castelo Branco wrote about “the very fierce dogs of Castro Laboreiro”.
• No undercoat. Unlike many mountain dogs, it has no undercoat.

In Portuguese literature

The Portuguese writer Camilo Castelo Branco mentions “the very fierce dogs of Castro Laboreiro” in the novella “A Brasileira de Prazins” (1882). It is one of the first written mentions of the breed.

Where does the breed's name come from?

From the village of Castro Laboreiro, in the mountains of northern Portugal.

How big does it get?

Males measure 58–64 cm and weigh 30–40 kg; females measure 55–61 cm and weigh 25–35 kg.

Is it a good guard dog?

Yes. The standard calls it an ideal sentinel that often patrols.

What colour is it?

Usually brindle on a grey background, called “mountain colour”, or wolf colour.