Libro Razas Españolas

Garafiano Shepherd Dog R.S.C.E. Standard N° 405 (Not Accepted F.C.I.) Origin: Spain Utilization: Shepherd and guard dogs Classification R.S.C.E.: Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs). Section 1 Sheepdogs. Without working trial. I. Brief historical summary The isle of La Palma, with an extension of 706 km 2 and a population not over 80.000 inhabitants, has undergone an isolation that has been the main reason of the maintenance of this breed. The name of Pastor Garafiano comes from the town of Garafia, region dedicated basically to cattle, located in the Northwest of the isle and where these dogs are abundant, due to the isolation of the inexistent communications, except on foot or by horse. This lack of communication, until few years ago, allowed to find a big number of dogs with a great purity, from which the current breed started. II. General Appearance Lupoid, of medium proportions or moderately large in proportion, eumetric, medium or big size, croup slightly higher than the withers, rather short neck and small head in relation to the body. Docile character, self-confident. He usually welcomes strangers with a typical attitude: barking from time to time, folding his ears at the same time, moving the tail and turning the head a bit while showing the corner of the mouth. Quiet and calm appearance, showing very active when he is working. The fundamental attitude is that of herding, although he assumes any kind of training, even that of the guard. He represents an adequate companion dog. III. Head Practically dolichocephalic. Conical head, small in relation to the body. Presents a length of 24 cm and a width of 18 cm. Forehead: Lightly convex, what is noticeable for the somewhat back and separated implantation of the ears. Ears: They can be split or with tendency to split forwards. They can also be upright, observing then a tendency to keep them folded before the minimum stimulus, showing the inner part. Nose: Always black. Eyes: Oblique, brown colour and a bit close. Vivacious look. Eyelids: Pigmented, ellipsoid outline, few outstanding eye sockets and sockets gradually slimming until the nose, being this very pigmented. Cheeks: Medium size, bushy. Lips: Well closed, brief, gathered and very pigmented. Chin: Very little apparent. Mouth: The teeth present certain variability, finding dogs with a larger or smaller number of teeth than usual. Scissor bite in order to avoid injuries to the cattle. Nape: Little marked. Stop: Soft and little pronounced. Las razas caninas españolas - Spanish canine breeds 89