Nowadays, the Spanish shepherd dog Gos d’Atura, also called the Catalan Sheepdog, is not necessarily used for farmers anymore. In a family with children, this dog also fits perfectly. However, there are a few things to take into account when you want to bring this dog breed into your home.
For example, this dog is energetic, vocal, very eager to learn and it also has a special body characteristic. Want to know what these are and whether this dog breed suits you? Then read everything you need to know about the Catalan shepherd here.
From shepherd to Spanish police dog: the history of the Catalan shepherd
The Gos d’Atura comes from Spain, from Catalonia to be precise. Hence its name: Catalan shepherd. It is believed that this breed was brought to Spain by the Romans thousands of years ago. These dogs were then used to guard and herd livestock. It is likely that this dog breed descended from a type of Pyrenean Mountain dog.
During the First and Second World Wars, the Gos d’Atura were given a different role: they then served as guard and courier dogs. Today, Spaniards use the Catalan shepherd as a police dog for search and rescue operations. In the 1970s it seemed for a while that the breed would slowly die out. Fortunately, thanks to a special breeding program, the dog breed has been preserved.
Gos d’Atura is a cheerful family dog
Originally, the Gos d’Atura is a working dog. He is inquisitive, intelligent and has a lot of courage. With tons of energy, this dog breed is tireless. Although these dogs are certainly not hyper or busy in the house. In some cases, the Catalan Shepherd is somewhat reserved toward strangers.
In general, though, they are cheerful and curious dogs. In addition, you have a real watchdog in the house with this breed. He is alert, brave and likes to keep watch for you. In addition, these dogs bark at the slightest thing. So whether he sees a burglar, or a little bird: he will bark.
Only if you already socialize the Gos d’Atura as a puppy will he get along well with other pets. In fact, by nature this dog is very territorial and is therefore not so easy to deal with other animals. Thus, it is not wise to introduce a new pet, be it a cat or dog, into the household at a later age. This shepherd tends to chase anything that runs away.
Do you have a family with children? In general, the Catalan shepherd lives in harmony with all housemates. So also, with children. However, he does tend to protect children from the family. So, watch your dog carefully when your children’s friends come to play. During the children’s boisterous play, your dog may try to protect your children from “dangerous friends. In general, this shepherd dog does not really have the urge to herd housemates. So that’s another advantage with children. This makes these dogs a great fit in a family, especially if you introduce him to your children and other pets as a puppy.
Notable feature about this dog breed: the Hubertus claw
The Gos d’Atura is a medium-sized dog. His coat is long and smooth or rough and curly. His ears are planted high on his head and lie flat on his head. The tail of the Catalan shepherd does not curl over his back and is low-set. His tail can be long, or congenitally short.
The coat of this breed is fawn, tan, gray or sable. Special features of this dog breed are the double Hubert claws. This is a type of fifth toe that is passed on to offspring as an inherited defect. The shoulder height of these dogs is between 17 and 21 inches and they weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.
The shaggy coat of the Gos d’Atura requires proper grooming
When you see the Gos d’Atura, expect to have to spend a lot of time grooming it. His shaggy appearance may remain shaggy, but you should comb it two to four times a month with a coarse comb. In order to remove dead hairs. This will keep his coat in good condition. Are you not doing this? Then the dead hair that falls out will tangle and eventually molt.
When the tangles cannot be combed out, it is best to cut the tangles out of his coat. Around the genitals and his butt, it is also smart to cut away the long hair, otherwise his feces will get stuck in here. Of course, you can have this done by a groomer if you prefer not to do it yourself.
In addition, it is wise to regularly clean his eyes and the fur around them with a damp cloth of cooled boiled water. Keep his ears clean as well. Brush his teeth occasionally and trim his nails. It is important to keep an eye on the dewclaws as well. In some cases, it is better to have them removed by the veterinarian.
Give kibble or still raw meat to your Catalan shepherd?
The Catalan shepherd has a lot of energy and therefore needs good nutrition that matches its energy needs. Choose high-quality dry food with a protein source such as chicken, turkey, duck, buffalo or fish. You can also make your own meal for your dog. Do you choose to feed your dog raw meat? If so, pay extra close attention to hygiene while preparing the meat.
You can also buy ready-made fresh meat from the store. There are advantages and disadvantages to feeding raw meat to your Gos d’Atura. One advantage, for example, is that raw meat contains no preservatives. As a disadvantage, raw meat is soft, so your dog’s teeth do not clean while eating. So read up well in advance before switching to feeding raw meat.
Few diseases and health problems of this dog breed known
There are few known health problems and diseases in the Gos d’Atura. It is a hardy and healthy dog breed. What you do need to watch out for with this shepherd is hip dysplasia and problems with its Hubert claws. If problems occur with his Hubertus claws, the veterinarian may decide to remove them. Or if these claws are poorly developed or shaped, it is possible that the veterinarian will remove them preventively. A healthy Catalan shepherd can reach an average age between 12 and 14 years.
These intelligent dogs are best trained with variety
Train your Gos d’Atura as early as when you took him in as a puppy. When you get started training your Catalan shepherd, it is wise to take his intelligence into account. He is eager to learn and also gets bored quickly if you repeat the same commands too often. You keep his attention by challenging him vigorously and alternating. Also, train him consistently and reward him in a positive way so that he is eager to obey your commands. Training is not only important to get him to do what you want. It is also very important to remind him who is the boss.
This is what you must have saved up to take in a Gos d’Atura puppy
For a Catalan shepherd puppy, you will pay at least 1,000 to 1,300 dollars. Do you want a dog with a good pedigree? Then count on spending as much as € 2000. The reason these dogs are pricey is due to the fact that there are not many breeders for this breed, the Gos d’Atura often make small litters of puppies and they are not for sale on a large scale. Again, this has an advantage.
The breeders who breed with these dogs generally breed out of a love for this dog breed. Often the parents of the litters have been well examined during extensive health screenings. Also keep in mind that in addition to the purchase, you will also spend money on general things for a dog. Such as food, medical expenses, a collar, harness, toys, bones, a basket and other things you need to buy for your dog.
Exercise and mental stimulation are a must for these dogs
Gos d’Atura are energetic dogs. You guessed it: they need a lot of exercise. So, walk with him for at least an hour. To wear him down, it is also smart to mentally stimulate him by doing agility, flyball and obedience training with him. The Catalan shepherd is and always will be a working dog that loves to do something for you.
Has your dog lost his energy thanks to training and walking? Then you can also leave him alone in the house for a short time. In general, you can let this dog breed run loose outside. However, you should always stay alert. When his shepherd instinct surfaces, he suddenly listens much less to your commands to come back to you. They are generally not aggressive dogs, yet there are exceptions. Do you have a house with a large fenced yard? Then you can let your dog loose in the garden a lot, to let him get rid of his energy.
Recognized as a herding dog in the 1950s
The Catalan shepherd is classified under the shepherd dogs’ group. This is the FCI breed group 1. On November 30, 1954, this breed was recognized by the FCI. The standard for the Gos d’Atura was established and published in 1982. In addition to the names Catalan shepherd dog and Gos d’Atura, this dog is also known as perro de pastor Catalàn.
The Catalan Shepherd Dog fits in well in an active family
When you take the Catalan Shepherd Dog into your home, you can begin his education right away. This is not very difficult, as these dogs love to work for you and are eager to learn. Nevertheless, this dog challenges you enough, because as soon as the training is boring for him, you lose his attention. Because of this, the Gos d’Atura forces you to offer a lot of varied training.
In addition, you must be willing to put enough energy into your dog: his energetic nature requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Do you raise him consistently, give him the love he deserves and socialize him sufficiently with your other pets and children? Then you will have an alert and happy family dog in your home.
