Human orientation
Average rating: gentle with the owner, decisive towards strangers. Behavior depends on upbringing.
THE PAW CATALOG
San Miguel dog
🇵🇹
History of the San Miguel Dog breed
Origin: Portugal
It comes from the Azores, a Portuguese island about 1,400 km off the west coast. The ancestors probably arrived with the Iberian settlers: the Spanish Alano and the Iberian Mastiff. A probable immediate ancestor is the Barbado da Terceira, a herding dog that evolved in isolation. In the 1980s, judges and veterinarians searched the islands for typical dogs to preserve the breed. The Portuguese Kennel Club approved the standard in 1984, the FCI temporarily recognized the breed in 1995, and fully on May 21, 2007 in Group 2.
The San Miguel dog (can fila de San Miguel) is a medium (48-60 cm, 20-35 kg) strong Azorean dog with short, dense fur, always of a tiger color. Very determined towards strangers and gentle with the owner. Needs early socialization, space and an experienced hand.
SizeBig
OriginPortugal
Life is nearby
Suitable for families with a private plot and experience. Nowadays, it is mostly a watchdog, companion or show dog; only a few still work with livestock.
Walks
Moderately high: space, walks and tasks.
Training
Decisive with strangers, gentle with the owner. Companions need early socialization; aggression is an undesirable vice.
Care
Short dense wool is combed once a week. Ears are examined, claws are trimmed.
Children
Usually gentle with his own family, but due to his size and guarding instinct contact with children under supervision.
Other animals
Traditionally drives dairy herds and protects livestock: bites low so as not to injure the cows' udders. Be careful with other people's animals.
Peculiarities of the breed
Estimates help compare breeds. For zooaggression, 5/5 means less tendency to aggression towards dogs. The behavior and health of a particular dog depend on many factors.
Training
Average score: independent watchman.
Zooaggression
Average score: shepherd and guard instinct.
Health and reproductive risks
There is no comparable survival estimate for the breed in the British cohort used. The absence of the mentioned risk does not prove the absence of hereditary diseases.
Ease of care
High score: short coat.
Health
Breed screening
Breed screening: detailed data on hereditary diseases of the "San Miguel Dog" breed are scarce. Ask the breeder for documentary results of examinations of both parents and current recommendations of the club.
Locomotor apparatus
Musculoskeletal system: the growth and load of the "San Miguel Dog" breed should correspond to its age. Lameness, pain, or reluctance to move require a veterinary examination.
Eyes and heart
Heart and eyes are included in the list of annual examination. The frequency of special examinations is determined according to the recommendations of the club and the veterinarian. Ask the breeder what tests the parents have passed.
Photo of the breed
