Libro Razas Españolas

Garafiano Shepherd Dog The Garafiano Shepherd Dog has its origins in Garafia, an area in the Northwest of La Palma, being catalogued even before the arrival of the Spaniards to the Canary Islands and having always worked as shepherd dog. From 15th century, local dogs were crossed with other arrived with the new settlers, especially Estrela Mountain Dogs, from Portugal and Euskal Artzain Txakurras and Castilian Careas from Spain, always looking for the improvement of the breed working skills. Lately, the Garafiano Shepherd Dog was also crossed with Belgian and German Shepherd Dogs, but never for aesthetic reasons, because the breed has always been a pure working dog. In the mid 20th century, it began a recovering process headed by Mr. Antonio Manuel Díaz and lately, by the breed Association, establishing strictly controlled breeding centres and showing the results of its work in different local fairs and shows until its presentation in the Spanish Canine Breeds Symposium in Cordoba in 1998. In 2003, the Garafiano Shepherd Dog is officially recognised by the R.S.C.E. and since then, even being a very minority breed, some dogs have successfully been shown with at national and international dog shows and Agility Trials, besides fulfilling its traditional pastoral function in La Palma. Las razas caninas españolas - Spanish canine breeds 83