Barbado da Terceira
Draft — this profile is still being checked.
At a glance
The Barbado da Terceira is a medium-sized herding dog from Terceira in the Azores, with more than five hundred years of history as a versatile farm dog managing cattle and protecting property and livestock — a job the AKC page says demands agility, resilience and close cooperation with the handler. Males stand about 52–56 cm and females 48–53 cm, weighing roughly 21–27 kg under a shaggy double coat. The breed is described as intelligent and perceptive, thriving on consistent training, and its close bonds with the family also make it a good companion.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 48.3–55.9cm |
| Weight | 20.9–27.2kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: fss |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Long coat |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip health and DNA carriers
The AKC breed page says hip problems are uncommon in Barbados but that breeders in the United States PennHIP-test all their dogs to keep improving hip health; it also notes that DNA tests show some Barbados carry MDR1 and CDDY, with no reported cases of adverse effects to date. Ask your vet about MDR1 status before any drug treatment.
Behaviour
Intelligent, perceptive, wants a job
The AKC breed page describes the Barbado da Terceira as intelligent and perceptive, thriving with consistent training and meaningful work; the farm role it was bred for demands agility, resilience and close cooperation with its handler, and the breed's close bonds with its family also make it an excellent companion dog. Its listed temperament is confident, lively and clever.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Barbado da Terceira (Foundation Stock Service)
AKC FSS breed page: origin in the Azores, height 20.5–22 in (males) / 19–21 in (females), weight 55–60 lb / 46–57 lb, life expectancy 12–14 years, temperament and health notes.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Barbado da Terceira — breed page — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.