Azorean Shepherd Dog Breeds Education and training

The Azorean Shepherd Dog is a breed that was developed and used to guard livestock by Portuguese shepherds.

Country of origin: Portugal
Size: large
Height: 48-60 cm
Weight: 20-35 kg
Age: 12-14 years
FCI breed group: Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossoid breeds, Mountain and Swiss Cattle Dogs.

Basic information about the Azorean Shepherd Dog

The officially accepted full name, written in the international standard, is cão fila de São Miguel (kau fila de são miguel), which literally means “hunting dog of Saint Miguel”. They received this name because they appeared on a piece of land belonging to the Azores archipelago (territory belonging to Portugal) – the beautiful green island of São Miguel. There are quite a few translations into different languages and all sorts of versions of this nickname, they are found in almost every country where such animals were brought, for example, they are called Azorean shepherd dogs (shepherds) mainly in the USA and Great Britain.

The main job of these beautifully built, powerful and agile animals has always been herding and guarding cattle; such hard work over the centuries has not only made them amazingly hardy and strong, but also formed a difficult, harsh character. Sometimes they were used to hunt dangerous predators.

Azores Shepherd Dogs are closely related to the equally strict and temperamental Fila Brasileiro and the Spanish Alano .

The largest population of San Miguel Shepherds lives in Portugal, but recently they have been gradually imported to other countries, where enthusiasts open kennels and breed them. In Russia, such dogs are few and far between, and litters are extremely rare.

Historical background

The breed’s homeland is the Azores, specifically San Miguel, after which it received its official name. Its ancestor or closest relative is considered to be the Terceira Mastiff., an aboriginal inhabitant of a neighboring island that became extinct in the 20th century, also known as rabo torto, which translates as “curled tail,” after the most characteristic feature of its exterior.

This extinct animal of the molossoid type is also one of the ancestors of the Fila Brasileiro. Most likely, they were mixed with many other breeds brought by settlers, resulting in the formation of the San Miguel Shepherd Dog. Among the predecessors could have been Canary Dogs , English Bulldogs , Spanish Alanos and some other mastiffs. There is no verified data on whether their crossing was purposeful, but this version is considered the most likely – the settlers needed hardy and strong assistants, and the pets brought from the continent did not meet these requirements.

The exact date of the appearance of the Azorean Shepherd Dog is unknown, they are mentioned in documents from the beginning of the 19th century, but it is possible that they existed much longer. They were used to guard and look after cattle. For many years, cynologists were not very interested in them, the first standard was written and published only in 1984. The FCI registered it on a preliminary basis in 1995, and on a permanent basis in 2007. Some cynological associations have adopted separate descriptions, different from the international one.

Currently, the breed is gradually developing, but still remains extremely rare. Azorean shepherd dogs are imported to different regions of the world, primarily to North America, where they are promoted especially actively, with the exception of Portugal itself. In Russia, there are only a few Cau Fila de San Miguel, they appeared here quite recently, litters are extremely rare, but they are already finding their first fans.

Description of the Azorean Shepherd Dog

These are strong, harmonious, large, but not huge molossers. The coat is short, smooth, dense, with undercoat. Various colors are allowed. Spotting is allowed. White marks are usually located on the forehead, chest, and also on the front legs.

The international standard of the Azorean dog has not changed since its final adoption in 2007, and in Russia it has been officially recognized since 2022.

Head
Strong, with a broad, slightly convex skull of square proportions, slightly longer than the muzzle, its topline parallel to the bridge of the nose. Stopclearly expressed, the occipital protuberance is weak. The earlobe is black, not small, the lips are completely colored, dry, adjoin the developed jaw, the lower edge is somewhat rounded. The typical bite is straight or scissor-shaped, the dental formula is complete.

Eyes
Exceptionally expressive, set deep enough but not recessed. Set on a horizontal line, not slanted, not particularly large, proportions correspond to the type and structure of the facial area. Only dark brown is acceptable in color.

Ears
In Azorean Shepherd Dogs, they are set noticeably above eye level, in their natural form they are of medium size and triangular, hanging from the roots of the ear, they do not fit close to the cheekbones.

Neck
Straight, without a curve or pronounced nape, well muscled but not fleshy. Moderate height, elongation or stockiness are unacceptable. The set on the shoulders is elegant and firm. The skin does not form a dewlap or any folds.

Frame
Balanced, strong, the front part is wide. The chest is voluminous, allowing a deep breath. The back is straight, the loin is of medium length, developed, the croup is also small, sloping, slightly raised above the withers. The belly is thoroughly tucked up, but without being pulled up.

Tail
Set high, moderately long, thick, slightly curved, the fur forms a small fringe.

Limbs
The front legs are set in accordance with the volume of the chest, straight. The shoulders are strong, the angle of articulation with the shoulder blade is open, the forearms are massive, the wrists and pasterns are strong.

The hindquarters are well set back, powerful, with long muscular thighs, wide angulations at the joints, moderate hocks and metatarsus, dewclaws are permissible.

The paws are oval, not too arched, with hard claws.

Description of movements

All gaits are free and easy, there are no more or less desirable or characteristic ones when showing in the ring, they are evaluated on an equal basis. With any type of gait, the back half of the body wags slightly from side to side, but the legs should not tangle or cross.

Wool
The hair is smooth, short, rough to the touch, very thick. On the tail, ischial tuberosities and the back of the thighs there is a modest decorative fringe, not particularly abundant and long. The skin is thick, completely pigmented.

Color
The standard for Azorean Shepherd Dogs provides for the following colors: fawn – pale with a black coating or more saturated and clear, as well as gray with a transition from light to dark shades. Both options are always brindle, on the forehead, throat and paws, all four or some, there may be white spots.

Dimensions and weight
Males grow up to 50-60 cm at the withers, females are not much lower, their height fluctuates between 48 and 58 cm. The weight of males is 25-35 kg, females – 20-30 kg. Deviations from the specified parameters are unacceptable for show animals.

Azorean Shepherd Dog Personality

Much of the difficult temperament of this breed depends on timely education and proper training; it can be said that they are the cornerstone of both the “professional suitability” of these shepherd dogs and the comfort of their living as pets.

Even trained according to uniform standards, they can differ greatly from each other, having a character that is more individual than breed-specific. It is quite difficult to predict in which direction it will develop as the puppy grows, but the main qualities remain severity and dominance with increased excitability and a sharp reaction to everything that happens around.

They are often compared to hyenas not only in appearance but also in character, but this is an extremely unfortunate comparison – African scavengers are cunning and cowardly, while San Miguel Shepherds, on the contrary, are surprisingly brave, hot-tempered and straightforward.

With the right approach, Azorean Shepherd Dogs grow up to be excellent guards for powerful, not very peaceful cows and bulls and any other property, this is greatly facilitated by such traits as determination, strength and agility of four-legged helpers.

In their work, they often bite the limbs of animals to direct them in the right direction. In fact, they have to be taught to herd, but their guard skills and distrust of strangers are genetically determined and manifest themselves extremely clearly, which allows such pets to be wonderful guards without any training.

Azorean Shepherd Dogs obey only one owner without question.

Usually, it is the one who is directly involved in their training. San Miguelians also treat other household members warmly and politely, but not to that extent. For children of any age, this is not the best breed, since the four-legged friend will never obey the baby, and it is undesirable to leave them alone, in addition, the strict guard does not tolerate the slightest disrespect for himself.

Such a pet cannot be called unfriendly or unsuitable for keeping at home, but the owner must be experienced and have leadership qualities.

They are reluctant to get along with their relatives, especially those of the same sex, except perhaps with members of their own pack, based on a strict hierarchy, and with animals of other species – provided that they grow up together.

Despite their strictness and independence, Azorean shepherd dogs are exceptionally intelligent, easily master a wide variety of activities, participate in competitions and become reliable assistants.

Education and training

If you decide to have exactly this kind of pet, then find good obedience courses in advance and consult with a dog trainer about what measures should be taken and how best to approach the issue of socialization before you start attending classes with a grown puppy. The right approach shapes the behavior of Azorean shepherd dogs in the future, all the necessary qualities need to be developed from the first months of life.

When training, pay special attention to prohibitive commands that will help strengthen discipline, prevent one of the working skills – the desire to bite legs, and most importantly – to restrain their acute excitability within reasonable limits. A professional will tell you how to act in difficult situations and will help you achieve better results in your work.

San Miguel Fila are socialized with the utmost care, as representatives of this breed are not distinguished by their peacefulness and friendly attitude towards strangers. With full, systematic and regular training, they grow up tolerant of strangers and disciplined, but they do not forgive mistakes and indulgences in training, the consequences have to be corrected with much greater efforts. The young favorite needs to contact the outside world as often as possible, learn to distinguish a real threat from an imaginary one, be in crowded places, ride transport, etc.

All undesirable manifestations are stopped immediately and strictly, otherwise they become entrenched, and it is difficult to get rid of them later. Rudeness leads to destructive behavior, it cannot be allowed, good contact with the owner, patience and respect for the pet are important.

Their high intelligence allows Azorean Shepherd Dogs to successfully master such disciplines as agility, which involves passing a series of obstacles under the owner’s guidance; obedience, the most difficult of all canine sports, in which dog-owner pairs compete in obedience exercises; flyball, a team competition with a ball and obstacles; scent tracking; and herding.

It should be remembered that many instincts manifest themselves in different degrees in individual individuals; their presence must be checked in order to choose the most suitable occupation.

Content

Azorean shepherd dogs are not very suitable for living in a city apartment; it is not easy for them to adapt to such conditions. In their homeland, these powerful animals are accustomed to large spaces, freedom and movement; in order to accustom them to a modest living space and walking on a leash, you will have to make a significant effort.

A house in the countryside with a spacious garden plot is much better. Fila San Miguel can live in an enclosure or in the yard only in the summer. In cold weather, they are ready to walk, but within reasonable limits, at temperatures below ten degrees, warm clothes and shoes are needed, since this is a southern breed, protected by a short coat from the sun, but not from frost.

The coat is extremely easy to care for, it does not need to be combed, only treated once a week with a brush or massage glove, removing dead hairs. Azorean shepherd dogs are bathed two or three times a year, more frequent water procedures without serious contamination do not make sense, it is more useful to replace them with wiping with a damp towel and dry cleaning. For washing, buy veterinary shampoos, human cosmetics can be harmful and even dangerous for animals. It is very easy to prepare smooth-haired pets for an exhibition – you just need to examine and wipe them.

The ears are poorly ventilated due to the drooping shape, which prevents ventilation, which creates increased humidity in the ear canal. Such an environment favors microorganisms that cause inflammatory reactions. To reduce the risk, the entire inner surface of the ears is regularly cleared of excess sulfur and dirt that has gotten inside with a cotton pad with disinfectant lotion. If a rash, unpleasant odor, ulcers or other unwanted symptoms appear, you should take your pet to the veterinarian.

Specialized pastes have been developed for dogs ‘ teeth ; they are used as directed weekly to remove plaque. The corners of the eyes are wiped with damp cotton pads when tears accumulate in them.

The claws are shortened with nippers as they grow, which is usually not necessary in the summer, since they wear down naturally, but in winter they can become too long. It is safer to contact a professional to avoid accidental injury to the paw, but the puppy is accustomed to this from the first months, so that he calmly perceives a stranger.

How and what to feed these dogs

Unfussy and not prone to digestive problems, Azorean Shepherd Dogs are known for being able to go without food for several days without any problems. Of course, this approach is not good for their health and well-being, but this quality helped them survive in the difficult conditions of regular hard work on pastures, where the four-legged workers were practically not looked after.

The breed has not been observed to have a tendency to gain excess weight, although it is impossible to completely exclude such a possibility; it is still necessary to control the caloric content and quantity of food. They, like all large dogs with a large chest, have a predisposition to gas formation, which is relatively harmless in mild manifestations, such as indigestion and flatulence, but sometimes causes a severe and dangerous phenomenon – bloating.

The risk of such a development can be reduced by monitoring the quality and freshness of products, as well as following a number of simple rules. Feed at the same time, avoid walking and training your pet immediately after feeding, it is better to organize it after the completion of active exercises, and not before them. Bowls should be kept clean.

Balanced nutrition is important at all stages of life, the needs of animals change depending on age. When choosing a diet for an Azorean shepherd dog, you should also take into account such features as size, level of physical activity and the presence of certain diseases. The easiest and most convenient way, in accordance with the recommendations of veterinarians, is to use ready-made food, they best meet the characteristics of the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Well-known companies produce extensive product lines that allow you to find the best option for your pet.

Home-cooked food requires a professional approach, menu planning is entrusted to specialists, without in-depth knowledge in this area, serious mistakes can be made, fraught with undesirable consequences for the well-being of a four-legged friend.

Water is changed at least twice a day, it should remain freely accessible and clean; it is acceptable to give bottled, boiled or filtered water.

Predisposition to diseases

There have never been any large-scale, routine health studies of Azorean Shepherds, so information about common problems is based largely on the opinions of veterinarians and owners. According to them, this breed is distinguished by rare endurance and does not cause owners any problems related to their well-being, except for preventive examinations, annual vaccinations, and treatment for external and internal parasites.

It is infections, worms, ticks and fleas that pose the most serious danger, which is easier to prevent than to treat and deal with the consequences.

The life expectancy of Azorean Shepherd Dogs is average – 12-14 years.
Of the few ailments that Cau Fila de San Miguel may encounter, dysplasia is the most common. It is a deviation in the development of body tissues, most often affecting the bones and cartilage of the hip and elbow joints, due to which their heads no longer coincide with the notches, causing severe pain and gait disturbances, and in the long term – various complications. In some dogs, it is passed on to offspring genetically, but in Azorean shepherds it is exclusively a consequence of an unbalanced diet and excessive physical activity during the period of growth and development of the pet.

Bloating is an acute degree of increased gas formation, it is typical for all large heavy breeds and poses a direct threat to your pet, requiring emergency veterinary intervention. Following the recommendations for proper feeding will help avoid it.

Ear infections develop due to poor hygiene; the ear canal needs to be examined and cleaned regularly.

With age, visual acuity may decrease, orthopedic diseases may develop, especially in working animals, and tumors may form. There is also a high probability of injuries due to high physical activity: these are fractures, sprains, dislocations, ligament ruptures, etc. Paws are checked daily for minor cuts and abrasions.

How to choose a puppy – tips

It is not easy to find puppies in Russia, no more than one litter is born per year, but there is no point in counting on such a quantity, since there are few dogs, and good owners take care of them and do not breed offspring often, fearing, and quite rightly, harming the health of their pets.

The easiest place to buy an Azorean Shepherd Dog is in Portugal. Most nurseries and breeders are located in this country, but they can also be found in other parts of Europe, as well as overseas, although they are very few in number there – representatives of the breed have only just begun to gain fame outside their homeland. Sellers usually do not interfere with the distribution of their pets abroad and are even happy about this, as evidence of popularization, but are not at all eager to hand them over to questionable hands.

Be prepared to have a detailed conversation with the breeder. Take advantage of this and ask all the questions you are interested in about the care, upbringing, and proper maintenance of Azorean Shepherd Dogs, ask for photos and videos to assess the grooming and sociability of the puppies.

You will hardly be able to determine the character of the future four-legged friend from such materials, besides, it often changes with age, but the pet should be cheerful and vigorous. Check the pedigree, clarify the availability of veterinary certificates, inquire about the possibility of transportation – often specialized nurseries provide assistance in this, thanks to such a service it is much more convenient to deal with them than with individuals.

Laws regulating the transportation of pets often contain restrictions on compliance with sanitary standards and the preparation of certificates, familiarize yourself with such acts in advance. Together with your young pet, you receive its documents – a veterinary passport and birth certificate.

Personal experience and advice from owners

In order to maximally complement the portrait of the breed, we turned to the opinions of foreign connoisseurs, since our compatriots are practically unfamiliar with Azorean Shepherds.

Here are some reviews that can be found on various websites:

They ignore the orders of everyone except one person, whom they consider to be the main one; this must be taken into account when raising them.

Brave, uncompromisingly brave, react sharply to any irritants, when training it is worth placing special emphasis on obedience and discipline, with this approach everything will be fine.
It is not advisable for beginners to work with this breed, Azorean shepherd dogs are very smart, observant and willful, they instantly sense the owner’s weakness or uncertainty and actively take advantage of it.

They are unpretentious, active, do not get sick, are excellent guards, are easy to train and become absolutely obedient if they respect the owner.

They are ready to be gentle and loving friends, but only for their own people; they never accept strangers and will not be able to change the family in which they live.