Barbado da Terceira

		Barbado da Terceira
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Barbado Cao Barbado da Ilha Terceira Cao Barbado dos Azores Collie Barbado Portugese Barbado Terceira Island Cattledog

Usage

A driving dog par excellence, very agile and lively, herds and picks up cattle with great ease, also used in the handling of wild cattle. It is also very effectively used as a guard dog. Because of its pleasant character and ease of training, it also makes a good companion dog.

Brief historical summary

With the beginning of colonization in the Azores islands, it was necessary to control and herd several species of introduced cattle. Several types of dog, including some used on the mainland to handle livestock, should already have arrived in the Azores. The Barbado probably evolved from dogs used to collect wild cattle brought by settlers since the 15th century. It should be borne in mind that over the next few centuries, many people traveling with their dogs to the islands will have decisively influenced today's Barbado.

General appearance

Rustic, solid, well-muscled body, covered with long, abundant, wavy hair.

Important proportions

Sublong (subdolicomorphic), body length slightly greater than height at withers.
Skull length is slightly longer than muzzle length.

Behaviour / temperament

Loyal companion to its owner, intelligent, easy to train, cheerful, docile and willing.

Head
Cranial region
Head		Strong, proportionate to the body. Upper longitudinal craniofacial axes parallel. Skull length slightly greater than muzzle length.
Skull		Medium-sized, slightly curved. The frontal furrow begins approximately at the posterior third of the muzzle and continues to the middle of the skull. Supraciliary arches barely visible. Pronounced occipital protuberance.
Stop		Barely defined.

Facial region
Nose		Large, cubic, straight. Well pigmented, black, brown admissible in yellows and whites.
Muzzle		Strong, cylindrical and straight at the nasal bridge. Broad, with parallel sides.
Lips		Firm, thick and well pigmented. No visible corners.
Jaws and teeth		Jaws well developed. Canines strong, solid and well developed. Scissor bite or level bite.
Cheeks		Lean, tight skin.
Eyes		Medium-sized, semi-frontal, horizontal, oval-shaped, expressive and intelligent. Honey to dark brown. Well-pigmented eyelids.
Ears		Set medium to high, triangular, medium size. Hanging, folded and hairy. They are very mobile and when attentive, they rise at the base and fold back.

Neck

Medium-sized, strong and well-muscled. Well set in the shoulders, carrying the head with dignity.

Body
Topline		Straight and level.
Withers		Broad, giving good connection between neck and topline.
Back		Broad, supple and well muscled.
Loin		Short and well placed in the croup.
Croup		Strong and slightly sloping.
Chest		Broad and deep, reaching to the elbows.
Ribs		Well sprung, with good thoracic capacity.
Underline and belly		Raised, with belly slightly tucked in.

Tail

Medium to low set. Cut at the third vertebra or medium-sized whole, without reaching the hock. At rest, it is immobile and curved at the lower tip. Lop-headed dogs are permissible.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Vertical, broad-boned, well muscled and straight.
Shoulders		Well developed and sloping. Scapula-humerus angle open.
Upper arm		Strong, with elbows close to the body.
Forearm		Vertical.
Carpal		Strong.
Pastern		Slightly sloping.
Forefeet		Large and oval with well arched toes and thick, hard pads. Strong nails.

Hindquarters
Generality		Strong and well muscled. Well angulated, ensuring good propulsion.
Upper thigh		Well developed and muscular.
Lower thigh		Long and well developed.
Stifle		Closed.
Metatarsus		Strong, almost vertical, short.
Hock		Strong.
Hind feet		Tight, arched, slightly pronounced toes, sometimes with dewclaws.

Gait and movement

Agile movement with good propulsion, allowing sudden changes of direction and transition between gaits. Light walk and fast trot, good reach and suspension. The canter is energetic and fast.

Skin

Thin, pigmented, taut.

Coat
Characteristics		Long, dense, slightly wavy, neither straight nor curly, with abundant undercoat over the entire body. Working grooming is permissible, the coat can be evenly shortened and must be used in conformation dog shows.
Hair		Strong, slightly thick but not hard. Dense on the whole head, muzzle and eyes, covering them. Abundant in the jaws, forming the beards that give the breed its name. Dense hair on limbs, including between the toes. Abundant on the tail to the tip.
Colour		Yellow-gray, gray, black, fawn and wolf in pale, common and dark shades. May have white patches on hands and/or feet, pectorals, throat, neck (forming a collar), chest, belly and tip of tail.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males : 52 to 58 cm, females : 48 to 54 cm.
Weight		Males : 25 to 30 kg, females : 21 to 26 kg.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Serious faults

Marbled nose.

Narrow, pointed muzzle.

Soft coat without undercoat.

White patches outside the limits set by the standard.

Excessive height (over 60 cm) or too low (under 48 cm).

Movements without reach or propulsion.

Disqualifying faults

Shyness or aggressiveness.

Jaws pulled or protruding.

Partially or completely blue eyes.

Brown or blackbird coat.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 01 February 2024; Hits: 555

Barbado da Terceira