Majorca Shepherd Dog

While the timing of its arrival is unknown, some assumptions suggest that it came either with the conquest of King James I of Aragon or shortly thereafter, and over the centuries the Majorcan shepherds and foravilers conferred its very own and distinct features not only from other islanders dogs, but also its neighbors around the Mediterranean. It was used as a shepherd dog for cattle, even as a bird dog and guard and defense in the houses.

In the 1970s was begun its selection and controlled breeding, and already in 1980 was drafted the standard to determine the characteristics and to have a valid reference to both the valuation and advice for reproduction, billboards carried out by the Club of "Ca de Bestiar" and that has been a cornerstone for its recovery. This racial prototype was accepted by the RSCPFRCE (Royal Central Society for the Promotion of Dog Breeds of Spain) and also recognized by the top world body: the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) on 13 September 1982 with num. 321 classifying it as Group 1. Section 1 Shepherd dog.

The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a tall, up to 73 cm and up to 40 kg (88 lb) shepherd and guard dog. Most of the breed is short-haired, about 1.5 to 3 cm long on the back, with a very fine, thin undercoat. In the long haired variety, the hair is slightly wavy on the back and can reach over 7 cm in length in the winter. In the long-haired variety the undercoat is well distributed and not thick, showing varying shades of black. The ears, which are slightly bent from the side, are relatively small, triangular, thick and set high on the head. The color of the fur is described by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as follows: "The only acceptable color is black in the shades jet, normal and pitch black. White is only permitted on the chest, a thin tie at the neck and the front and rear (...) ".[1] Räber mentions an additional dark brindle coloration.[3]

The Majorca Shepherd Dog was never bred for beauty and has a rough appearance. Temperamentally they are protective, potentially aggressive, and courageous.[1] Although it is unusual for a black dog to tolerate heat well, the Majorca Shepherd Dog can tolerate the high temperatures of the Mediterranean climate, and they have been exported to Brazil where they have been successfully used to protect private property.[2]

• "The Story of the Modern Ca de Bestiar"