The Portuguese Sheepdog is a canine companion that comes in a variety of colors. As you might expect, they have thick coats (though no undercoat) and should never be shaved. Many people make the mistake of thinking that dogs with long hair would be more comfortable without it, but this isn’t true. The somewhat unusual thing about a Portuguese Sheepdog (in comparison to other canines) is that natural bobtails disqualify them from competitions, and the tail should never be docked.
They’re herding dogs, and anyone who’s never met a herding dog knows what this means! They’re very high-energy, and need a lot of outlets for that. These outlets should be both mental and physical. While they do need long walks and a place to run around, mental stimulation is as important. Fortunately for these dogs, they excel at agility and that’s an easy and great way to get some out. You can also train them lots of party tricks and they’ll catch on quickly, which is a great bonding experience.
The Portuguese Sheepdog – Strong Training Needed
Because they’re herding dogs, they may not be the best companion for small children. Herding dogs have a tendency to chase things and nip in an attempt to get them to go in certain directions! They can be trained with a firm “leave it” but, as it’s instinct, this takes a while. They get along well with other animals if they’re socialized with them from the start.
These dogs love their families, but can be wary of strangers sometimes. Socializing them is a huge help. Make sure they have lots of positive experiences with strangers as puppies. This will help them learn that strangers are good and there’s nothing to fear from them. This is a great family dog that you will enjoy owning and growing old with.
