Catalan Sheepdog
加泰羅尼亞牧羊犬
Draft — this profile is still being checked.
At a glance
The Catalan Sheepdog (Gos d'Atura Català) originates in the Catalonian Pyrenees and spread through the pastoral zones of Catalonia; the FCI says the essence of the breed shows in driving flocks, where it not only obeys the shepherd but often directs the flock on its own initiative. Of well-balanced medium proportions with a long, flat or slightly wavy coat and an abundant undercoat over the rear third of the body, males stand 47–55 cm and females 45–53 cm. The standard describes a very sedate, active and intelligent dog with a noble expression, hardy and pleasant in character, truly devoted to its shepherd and flock but wary of strangers — and notes it is very resistant to heat, cold and all weather, needing very frugal feeding to work in extreme conditions.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 45–55cm |
| Breed group | FCI: 1 |
| 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 dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
The Royal Kennel Club lists hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme and eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme among the pre-breeding health screening it recommends for the breed. Ask your breeder for the parents' hip scores and eye certificates.
Behaviour
Takes the initiative with the flock; wary of strangers
The FCI standard's Behaviour / Temperament section reads: "A very sedate dog, active and intelligent, with a noble expression, with a hardy and pleasant character, really devoted to the shepherd and flocks entrusted to him, wary of strangers, which at times make him seem unsociable. He is very vigilant, very resistant to heat, cold and all atmospherics. A very frugal alimentation is sufficient for him to work in extreme conditions." The utilization section adds that in many cases he directs the flock on his own initiative, preventing any animal from separating from the others.
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.
FCI nomenclature — Gos d'Atura Català (Catalonian Sheepdog) (standard no. 87, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Catalan Sheepdog
Breed A–Z entry with breed characteristics and the pre-breeding health screening schemes the Royal Kennel Club recommends for the breed.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Gos d'Atura Català (Catalonian Sheepdog) — FCI standard no. 87 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]FCI-Standard No. 87 — Gos d'Atura Català (Catalonian Sheepdog), 13.09.2004 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Catalan Sheepdog — Breed Information (health and breed characteristics) — The Royal 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.