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Pastoral

Lobito Herreño

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

Medium, 15 to 25 kgHigh energyCanary IslandsHerding dogWolf-likeVery rare
Exercise a day90 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleLight, alert, wolfish
With other dogsReserved, not aggressive

Overview

The Lobito Herreño is a herding dog from El Hierro, the smallest of the Canary Islands, used by goat herders on steep volcanic ground. The name means little wolf, and the dog earns it with a wedge head, upright ears, a grey or wolf-sable coat and a light, trotting gait. It is barely known off the island, let alone in Britain.

Herding dogs from isolated places tend to be agile, intelligent and bonded to their handler, with a wary streak around strangers. Expect a dog that watches everything, learns quickly and does not enjoy noise or crowding.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour and a half a day, in two active walks, suits a working herder of this size. The breed was bred for endurance on rough terrain and will happily trot for miles. Hills, open country and a few herding-style games keep it content.

Mental work counts. Ten minutes of training or a scent game on the walk makes a visible difference to how the dog settles.

Daily minimum90 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeWith owner's say-so

On the walk

  • Herding: Cyclists, runners and groups of dogs may be circled and nudged. Keep the lead on in busy places and redirect to a toy or a task.
  • Strangers: Cautious rather than fearful. The dog will study new people and may keep its distance; let it, and do not allow anyone to grab at it.
  • Recall: Herding breeds are trainable, and a dog that has been taught will usually come. Confirm with the owner and test on a long line before trusting it.
  • Other dogs: Polite and reserved as a rule. Rough play from strangers is not welcome, so pair it with calm company on group walks.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Keep your voice low and your cues consistent; sensitive herders shut down under shouting.
  2. Use rural routes with hills and varied footing where possible.
  3. Bring a toy that gives the dog a job to do when its herding brain kicks in.
  4. Check the thick coat for ticks after walks through bracken or long grass.
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

  • How does the dog react to strangers and to being approached quickly?
  • Does it herd people or dogs, and how do you interrupt it?
  • Is the recall reliable, and in what places do you let it run?
Podenco CanarioThe rabbit hound of the Canary Islands: leanPerro MajoreroThe brindle farm dog of FuerteventuraPastor GarafianoThe tawny sheepdog of La Palma in the Canary Islands: a wolf-looking herder with a mildCan de PalleiroGalicia's all-round farm dog