Overview
The Can de Chira is a herding dog from the high valleys of Aragon in north-east Spain, used by shepherds to move sheep and cattle in mountain pastures. It gained official recognition in Spain only recently, and it is essentially unknown beyond its home region. Dogs are medium-sized, lean and agile, with a medium coat in various colours and the alert expression of a working sheepdog.
Beyond that, honest information is scarce. Treat the breed as a Pyrenean herding type: intelligent, fast, bonded to its handler, inclined to circle and chase moving things, and happiest with work to do. Ask the owner how strongly those traits show in their dog.
Exercise and walking needs
Allow ninety minutes a day with a good deal of mental work. Herding dogs tire from thinking as much as from running, and a walk with training mixed in beats a longer plod.
Open hill ground and woodland suit the type. Add a few minutes of fetch, direction changes or a scent search to give the dog a task.
On the walk
- Recall: Usually good in a dog bred to work with a shepherd. Running animals, cyclists and joggers may trigger a chase; check it before open spaces.
- Herding: Expect circling and attempts to gather other dogs or children. Interrupt early and redirect to a toy or a task.
- Pulling: Light. Most herding dogs walk nicely once the first excitement passes.
- Weather: A mountain dog's coat copes with cold and rain. Heat is the problem; carry water and avoid midday walks in summer.
Tips for professional walkers
- Keep the lead on through livestock fields no matter how good the recall; the instinct to work stock is strong.
- Give the dog a job every few minutes to keep its mind busy.
- Check the coat for burrs and ticks after hill walks.
- Pair with calm, tolerant dogs that do not mind being managed.
What to ask the owner
- Where did the dog come from, and has it worked livestock?
- Does it herd children, cyclists or other dogs, and how does the owner stop it?
- Which commands does it know, and does it work to a whistle?