Cao Fila Sao Miguel
The Cao de fila de Sao Miguel (Azores Cattle Dog) bears the specific characteristic of being a medium sized dog, which sets it apart from other Cattle Dogs, on average it is much bigger. They are square headed animals, with very strong jaws, expressive dark brown eyes, well developed musculature of the trunk and limbs. They walk with the typical characteristic of wadding slightly fringed in the anal region and buttocks. Their color encompasses the reddish-yellow, streaked, and the gray, also streaked, in both the dark and the light tonalities; it may also have white patches in the frontal region, chin, chest, and feet. The tail should be docked by 2nd or 3rd vertebra. The ears are normally cut round.
Temperment :
The Cao de fila de Sao Miguel is a rustic and aggressive animal, able of remaining outdoors during the entire year guarding the herds and the tools used in agriculture. It’s very intelligent and quick to learn, executing various master’s commands. As a dog used in driving milk cows it usually bites low so as not to wound the mammary glands of the cows, biting higher on the lost cattle. A working dog by excellence but also a good guard dog of the property or as a protection dog. A dog with a very sharp temperament but docile to his master. Very intelligent with a great capacity to learn. Due to their function as a cattle dog he bites low with the objective not to harm the redders of the cows. Nevertheless they may bite higher when handling stray cattle. For the right owner, this breed makes an excellent guard and watch dog.
Height: Male 19.5-24 inches (50-61 cm.), Females 19-23 inches (48-58 cm.)
Weight: Males 55-90 pounds (25-41 kg.), Females 45-80 pounds (21-36 kg.)
Heath Problems:
No know health problems
Living Conditions:
The Cao de fila de Sao Miguel should live next to its owner. This dog is not suited for apartment living. It needs a job to do.
Excercie:
Needs daily exercise, which includes a daily, long walk. It loves to run, play and work.
Life Expectancy:
15 years
Grooming:
Brush coat few times a week
Origin:
In 1427 the Azorean islands were discovered. They were covered by a lush vegetation that was hard to penetrate, but there were no mamals. The sailors of Prince Henry threw cattle in the maritime fringe of the islands. By 1439 there were abundant herds of domestic cattle in Sao Miguel. Raised free, the cattle grew wild. Therefore, a need for cattle dog of fila dog came. The most important dog was the fila de Terceira (now extinct) which was then bred with other molossers to make the Cao de fila de Sao Miguel. This dog became an indispensable element to cattle breeding, besides being an excellent guard of his masters possessions and family.
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