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Pastoral · Portugal

Barbado da Terceira

A walker's guide to the Barbado da Terceira: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Medium, 21 to 27 kgHigh energyCattle herderShaggy coatRare in UKIntelligent
Exercise a day90 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleLively, bouncy, engaged
With other dogsPlayful, can be pushy

Overview

The Barbado da Terceira is a herding and farm dog from the Azores, recognised as a Portuguese breed only recently. It is a medium-sized, strongly built dog under a long, wavy coat in fawn, grey, black or yellow, with a bearded muzzle and a lively, intelligent face. On Terceira it works cattle in small fields and guards the yard.

Breed enthusiasts describe a dog that is cheerful and biddable with its family, confident with strangers and bold enough to face down a bullock. That boldness needs a steady hand around other dogs.

Exercise and walking needs

Allow around ninety minutes a day with plenty of variety. A herding dog bred for island farms wants to move, think and interact, and it will match an active owner stride for stride.

Youngsters are exuberant and benefit from calm, structured walks rather than endless free running, which builds excitement without teaching anything.

Daily minimum90 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeWith good recall

On the walk

  • Recall: Good when trained and the dog likes to stay in touch, but it can be distracted by anything that moves in a group.
  • Other dogs: Playful and physical. Some Barbados come across as pushy with timid dogs, so manage introductions and step in early.
  • Herding: Chasing and circling other dogs or joggers is natural to the breed. Call the dog off before it gets into the pattern.
  • Coat: The long coat soaks up rain and mud. On a wet day the dog doubles in weight and smells of farmyard.
  • Lead manners: Enthusiastic at the start of a walk, settling once the first excitement passes. A harness is kinder.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Use training games throughout the walk; a few minutes of heelwork and recalls tires the brain as well as the legs.
  2. Carry a large towel and plan the drop-off so a wet dog does not go straight onto a clean sofa.
  3. Pair with robust, playful dogs on group walks and keep clear of nervous or elderly ones.
  4. Teach a clear stop or down to interrupt herding behaviour before it builds.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Has the dog worked livestock, and how does it behave around cattle and sheep on footpaths?
  • Does it have any dogs it does not get on with, and how does it handle play that turns rough?
  • Does the owner want the coat kept out of mud, or is a muddy dog acceptable?
Saint Miguel Cattle DogA brindle molosser from the Azores that herds cattle by biting low and guards the farm by instinct: strongPortuguese SheepdogThe monkey dog of the Portuguese plains: a shaggyCatalan SheepdogThe Gos d'Atura Català