Hierran Wolfdog

The Hierran Wolfdog or Perro de Pastor Herreño is a dog found on the Island of El Hierro, in the Canary Islands (Spain). The islanders know it as a grazing hound named "lobito" or "perro lobo".[1]

Hierran Wolfdog
Other namesPerro de Pastor Herreño
OriginCanary Islands (Spain)
Dog (domestic dog)

Origin

Theoretically, the Canary Islands are named after the various canines who lived there. There is a type of dog on almost every island, and islands share several. As livestock play an important role on the islands, there are several sheepdogs.

The origin is still uncertain, but the Hierran Wolfdog has been present for the last two centuries and probably came with the first settlers to the island, an issue that is still under study. At the arrival of the Spanish conquest, the chaplains accompanying the Conquistadors wrote about the presence of "wild dogs like wolves, but they are small".[2]

This dog has achieved its preference among the shepherds of the island.

Appearance

The Hierran Wolfdog is robust, strongly built and rectangular structure. It's like the wolf in terms of constitution, movement, coat, colors and mask. The head is wedge-shaped and the ears are triangular and erect. The tail is implanted high, at rest is straight and pendant and in alert it takes as sickle. The hair is straight and very flat with a dense undercoat. The coat can range from yellow gray (or cream) to silvery gray.

Specific care

It requires regular brushing, more abundant with seasonal changes, especially in autumn and spring, which moves its hair.

Standard
  • Withers: 54.7 for males, 52'6 cm for females.
  • Weight: 18–22 kg.
  • Coat from a yellowish gray to silver-gray. In winter its hair is longer.
  • Average life: 12–14 years.
  • Character faithful dog to the owner, but wary of strangers, but does not make aggressive with them. Its skills grazing make it a dog accustomed to seek balance in the others.
  • Relationship with children: fit, although is convenient to perform works socializing with children outside the family, to get used to them.
  • Relationship with other dogs: Needs to be well socialised as a puppy. While some people may say this breed is dominant, dominance theory has long been disproved in domesticated dogs and wolves.
  • Skills: company dog and herding dog.

References
  1. Digital Magazine of Hierran Folklore Manuel Pérez Ramírez, "El perro lobo herreño", February 17, 2009.
  2. The Border Collie Museum: The Herding dogs of Spain
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