Saint Miguel Cattle DogCharacteristics, history, training and care
Saint Miguel Cattle Dog. · Pleple2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized.
The Saint Miguel Cattle Dog (Cão Fila de São Miguel) is a robust, hardy, always brindled molossoid from the island of São Miguel in the Azores. It is a cattle dog par excellence and a good guard of property and people. The standard describes it as very determined with strangers but docile with its owner, very intelligent and receptive.
Quick facts
| Common name | Saint Miguel Cattle Dog (Cão Fila de São Miguel) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Portugal (Azores) |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 21 May 2007 (group 2, molossoid breeds, mastiff type; standard no. 340) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–13 years |
| Size (males) | 50–60 cm at the withers; 25–35 kg |
| Size (females) | 48–58 cm at the withers; 20–30 kg |
| Coat type | Short, smooth, dense, harsh |
| Common colours | Fawn, fawn with black shading, or grey; always brindled |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Determined, docile with its owner, very intelligent, receptive |
| Tendency to aggression | High towards strangers; a serious guard dog |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Good with cattle |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The FCI standard says it is a cattle dog from the island of São Miguel in the Azores, also known as the “cow dog”. Its history is linked to that of the extinct Terceira dog, and its existence has been documented since the early 19th century.
Wikipedia says the Portuguese name means “catch dog of São Miguel” and that it was originally used as a herding dog for cattle.
How the breed developed
- Early 19th century – It is documented on the island of São Miguel.
- 21 May 2007 – The FCI recognises the breed.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★★☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★★ |
| Independence | ★★★★☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★★ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★★☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★★★☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★☆☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★☆ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★★ |
| Good cattle dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as robust and hardy, slightly longer than it is tall.
General appearance
The coat is short, smooth, dense and harsh, with slight fringes on the tail and the backs of the thighs.
| Feature | Saint Miguel Cattle Dog |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Height at the withers | males: 50–60 cm; females: 48–58 cm |
| Weight | males: 25–35 kg; females: 20–30 kg |
| Coat | Short, harsh |
| Colour | Always brindle |
| Type | Molossoid cattle dog |
The accepted colours are fawn, light fawn with black shading, and grey, from light to dark shades, always brindled. A white mark on the forehead and from the chin to the chest, and small white marks on the feet, are permitted.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as a cattle dog par excellence and a good guard of property and people, very determined with strangers but docile with its owner, very intelligent and receptive.
When driving dairy cows, it bites low so as not to injure their udders; with stray cattle it may bite higher.
Tips for effective training
- Socialise it thoroughly as a puppy. It is very determined with strangers.
- Be calm and consistent. It is docile with its owner.
- Give it a job. It is a working dog par excellence.
- Ask a trainer for help. Especially if you have no experience.
Activity needs and lifestyle
As a working dog, it needs a lot of exercise and a task every day.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks | daily | Energy |
| Time in a fenced yard | daily | It guards its territory |
| Training | daily | Intelligence |
Tips for a balanced life
- It suits experienced owners.
- The fence must be solid.
- It needs a task.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short, harsh coat should be brushed once a week with a rubber grooming mitt.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any active dog, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
Other care
- Check its paws after work.
- Trim the nails regularly.
- Check the ears regularly.
Diet and nutrition
An active working dog needs good-quality food suited to its workload.
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.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 1,060 kcal | 1,190 kcal | 260–340 g |
| 27 kg | 1,330 kcal | 1,490 kcal | 330–430 g |
| 35 kg | 1,610 kcal | 1,810 kcal | 400–520 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- 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.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.
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 dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- It bites low. It bites cows low so as not to injure their udders.
- The “cow dog”. That is another name for it.
- Always brindle. All its colours are brindled.
- An extinct relative. Its history is linked to the extinct Terceira dog.
- From an island. It comes from the island of São Miguel, in the Azores.
Frequently asked questions
Where does it come from?
From the island of São Miguel, in the Azores archipelago.
How big does it get?
Males measure 50–60 cm and weigh 25–35 kg; females measure 48–58 cm and weigh 20–30 kg.
Is it a good guard dog?
Yes, the standard says it is a good guard of property and people.
What colours does it come in?
Fawn or grey, always brindled.
