Breeds / Medium
Catalan Sheepdog puppies
Sedate at rest but active and quick witted at work, hardy and pleasant with their own people. Brave enough to guard, and often wary of strangers to the point of seeming unsociable.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Spain
- Adult weight 16 to 20 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 35 to 44 lb
- Adult height 45 to 55 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Long rough
- Typical lifespan 12 to 14 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Catalan Sheepdog
The Catalan Sheepdog, or Gos d'Atura Catala, is a shaggy herding dog from the Catalan Pyrenees, used to drive flocks and valued for taking their own initiative when the shepherd is out of sight. Dogs stand 47 to 55 cm and bitches 45 to 53 cm, with a long, flat or slightly wavy rough coat, a beard, moustache and eyebrows. They moult in two stages, so the front and back of the dog can look mismatched for weeks.
They are energetic and clever, and they need roughly two hours a day of walking plus training or a dog sport to stay settled. Brushing several times a week keeps the coat and heavy undercoat clear. They are loyal and watchful rather than aggressive, but they can be difficult around strange dogs and need early work with children and traffic. For all that shaggy family charm, this is still very much a working breed, so do not expect a placid pet.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Catalan Sheepdog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, scored from x-rays under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Inherited eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Loss of genetic diversity, which the Kennel Club asks breeders to weigh when choosing a mate
Your Catalan Sheepdog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Catalan Sheepdog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 16 to 20 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 20 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- purina.co.uk for adult weight and height and life expectancy
- royalkennelclub.com for energy, grooming and the temperament ratings and health notes
- fci.be for coat type and country of origin
- Health notes from Catalan Sheepdog breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/catalan-sheepdog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Elinandreassen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.