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Pastoral · Mallorca

Majorca Shepherd Dog

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

Large, 35 to 40 kgActiveCa de BestiarBlack coatGuardian herderHeat tolerant
Exercise a day90 min plus
Energy3 of 5
Walk styleSteady, serious, guarding
With other dogsWary of strangers

Overview

The Majorca Shepherd Dog, or Ca de Bestiar, is the all-purpose farm dog of Mallorca: herding sheep, guarding property and generally keeping order on the finca. It is a tall, muscular, jet black dog with a short coat, a long head and a serious expression. It is rarely seen off the Balearic islands and very rare in Britain.

The combination of herding and guarding gives a dog that is intelligent and trainable but also territorial and wary of outsiders. With its own family it is gentle and loyal. With a new walker it will take time, and with strangers on the walk it will watch closely.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour and a half a day in two walks, at a steady pace, suits an adult. The breed has stamina and likes a long march with some mental work in it: training, scent games or a job to carry out. It is not a frantic dog but it needs a purpose.

Built for Mediterranean heat, it copes well with warm days. The short black coat offers little against British rain and cold, so dry the dog off and ask about a coat in winter.

Daily minimum90 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeOwner's judgement

On the walk

  • First meetings: Spend time with the owner present before a solo walk. The dog will accept you on its own timetable and not before.
  • Strangers: Watchful and protective. Do not let people approach to pet the dog uninvited, and keep your own posture relaxed.
  • Other dogs: Reserved with unknown dogs and may not tolerate rudeness. Plan introductions and avoid group walks unless the owner has seen the dog in company.
  • Lead: Strong but generally cooperative once it knows you. A sturdy harness and a short lead for town; a long line in the country.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Use quiet routes with open sightlines so the dog sees people and dogs coming.
  2. Give the dog a job on the walk; a trained herder settles when it is working.
  3. Keep handling calm and unhurried. This breed does not respond well to force.
  4. Check the ears and feet after wet walks; the coat dries fast but the extremities chill.
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 visitors and to strangers on walks?
  • Does it have herding or guarding habits you want managed, such as circling or standing between you and others?
  • Is the recall reliable, and where do you let the dog off?
Ca de BouThe Mallorcan bulldogCatalan SheepdogThe Gos d'Atura CatalàBeauceronA bigPerro MajoreroThe brindle farm dog of Fuerteventura