The can de Palleiro is the only Spanish dog breed that grows in Galicia, an autonomous community located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Although is not recognized by any of the most important federations, such as the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) or the RSCE (Royal Canine Society of Spain), the Xunta de Galicia and the Can de Palleiro Breed Club have joined forces to give visibility to this exceptional dog breed of Galician origin, which stands out mainly for its virtues as shepherd and guard dog
In this file of dog breeds on our site we will talk in detail about the Palleiro can, explaining its origins, most notable physical characteristics, usual character of the breed, care, basic education and he alth problems More frequently. Keep reading, you will be surprised!
Origin of the Palleiro dog
The can de Palleiro dog breed is developed in Galicia, mainly as a dog guardian of rural farms andherd grazing Its name could be translated as "haystack dog", since it is in the haystacks where these animals took refuge to rest after long days outdoors, grazing and guarding the animals, generally sheep and goats.
The history of this breed seems to be really old, since it comes from the native dogs that already in the Paleolithic helped the Galicians in their daily chores. Later the breed spread to other places both in Spain, as well as in the rest of Europe. These dogs share an origin with other more popular breeds such as Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and the can do Castro Laboreiro, of Portuguese origin.
Relegated to oblivion for centuries, the Palleiro dogs were even considered mestizo dogs, until in 2001 they were officially recognized by various official bodies, such as the Xunta de Galicia and the Ministry of the Environment.
Characteristics of the Palleiro dog
In terms of morphology, the Palleiro dog stands out for being a dog of large size. They usually weigh between 30 and 38 kilograms, reaching a height at the withers of between 59 to 65 cm. in males and from 57 to 63 cm. in females.
These dogs have a lupoid-type body, that is, similar to that of a wolf. It shows the triangular head, the elongated snout and a straight profile with a slightly pronounced stop. Also, like wolves, it has erect and triangular ears, a thick and muscular neck, in perfect balance with the proportions of the rest of the body. The legs are solid and strong, with flexible and marked joints. It is common to find specimens that have a spur or fifth toe on the hind legs.
The coat is dense and lush, changing in winter for an even thicker layer that protects them from adverse weather conditions. The coat is usually a uniform color, with a wide range of color possibilities: cinnamon, chestnut, brown, arena… They are always light in color, although they can also be darker, such as chocolate or even black. There are also some dogs that have a coat similar to that of a wolf, with the roots of the hair being lighter in color and the tips black or darker.
Spotted white animals or animals with large white spots are not accepted within the breed standard. The skin of the can de palleiro is thick, smooth and without folds or skin hanging anywhere on its body.
Palleiro dog character
As a good guard dog, the Palleiro dog has an indifferent character and is even distrustful of strangers It will duly alert us to a visit from third parties to our home although careful, that does not mean that we should leave him abroad. When evaluating whether the dog should be inside or outside the house, we must take into account that this can cause the appearance of behavioral problems Likewise, do not we must confuse guarding with aggressiveness. The Palleiro dog, like any other dog, must be properly socialized from puppyhood.
With members of the household this dog is especially sociable. He will surprise us with a remarkable intelligence and sensitivity towards everything that happens in the home, including its members, as well as being especially protective and sweet with the little ones. Once again, with proper socialization, this dog will be able to live with all kinds of animals and people.
Palleiro dog care
The maintenance of the Palleiro dog's coat should include between one and two weekly brushings, which will help us remove dead hair, accumulated dirt and promptly detect the presence of parasites and other he alth problems. As for the bath, it can be done every one or three months, depending on the level of dirt it presents. We will use specific bath products for dogs, sold in veterinary clinics or pet supply stores. It is a breed that should not be "peeled" under any circumstances, not even in the hottest months.
The feeding will play an important role in terms of the quality of the coat and its he alth. We can bet on commercial food or homemade diets, although they should always be based on quality products. The BARF diet, for example, based on raw foods, is becoming very popular among guardians and is generally very well accepted by dogs.
To finish, it is important to point out that this breed requires daily physical activity to keep its muscles in tone. We will take between two and four walks a day, in which we will include physical exercise and moments of relaxation, in which we will allow the dog to sniff and urinate without stress. It will also be necessary to dedicate time to his mental stimulation, doing basic obedience exercises, dog skills, dog sports or smell exercises.
Education of the Palleiro dog
The education of the dog must begin at the time of adoption, as we have already mentioned, socializing it in its puppy stage. This will allow us to show a stable behavior before all kinds of people, animals and environments. Promptly separating him from his parent or keeping him locked up in the home can lead to the appearance of various behavioral problems in the dog.
A fundamental aspect will be to teach him the basic commands for dogs, always through positive reinforcement, which will guarantee us a good bond and a fast learning. We will start practicing with prizes and, progressively, we will withdraw them. Later we can introduce you to more advanced commands and other complex exercises. Precisely because of his intelligence and capacity, we will be surprised to see that the Palleiro canine is a dog that learns and executes at great speedthe different exercises proposed.
When problems appear, it is best to consult a dog educator or trainer.
Palleiro dog he alth
This breed is solid and resistant, it does not present hereditary pathologies typical of the breed. However, this does not mean that we do not have to follow the same guidelines as with any other dog in terms of vaccination, periodic deworming, microchip identification or auditory mouth cleanings. For this reason, the vaccination schedule must be followed, regularly going to the veterinarian for check-ups and thus being able to detect possible conditions as soon as possible.
The life expectancy of the Palleiro dog is between 12 and 15 years old.
