Herreño wolfdog, the best friend for sports lovers

One of the least known races in the world and, also, one of the most beautiful, is that of the Black wolf dog. Although it is known as the Herreño wolf, in reality it has nothing to do with these majestic animals, but rather with the shepherd dogs that, it is believed, were brought to the island of El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) around the XNUMXth century.

He has a very docile character and an immense desire to run and play, so it is the ideal companion for families who like to go outdoors to practice sports.

Origin and history of the Herreño Wolfdog

Our protagonist is a dog that has been raised for at least two hundred years on the island of El Hierro. In the past it was used as a sheepdog, but due to the decline of the traditional livestock activity it has been on the verge of extinction. Today there are only a few dozen left, but it is expected that there will be many more because little by little the inhabitants of the Canaries themselves have begun to show interest in them, to the point that they are already kept as pets.

Still, not yet a recognized breed. The Royal Canine Society Spain considers these dogs as a canine ethnic group.

Physical characteristics

It is a medium-sized dog, with a weight between 18 and 22kg, having a height at the withers of 54,7cm in males and 52,6cm in females. He has a well-proportioned, muscular, athletic-type body. Their hair is straight, being short in summer and long in winter. The color is usually gray, but there are also dogs of this breed that are completely white.

The head is wedge-shaped. His ears are triangular, and he keeps them erect, although he can bend them back in certain situations, such as when he is worried for example. The eyes are almond shaped and the muzzle is elongated.

His life expectancy is 12-14 years.

Behavior and personality of the Herreño Wolfdog

Although it is an ancient breed of dog, it is a dog that is easy to work with. He is very intelligent, and if you dedicate time to him and he is treated with respect and affection, he will receive company, loyalty and a lot of affection in return.. Of course, it is not an animal for everyone: it has a medium-high energy level and, therefore, you must exercise every day, otherwise you will get frustrated and may have inappropriate behaviors,

In addition, males can be very territorial, especially with other male dogs. To avoid problems, you must socialize the puppy with other dogs and people from the first moment they get the first vaccine. For the rest, if you would like to practice a dog sport, such as the agility and enjoy an amazing hairy, without a doubt you can do it with him.

Main care

Food

Like any dog, it is very important that you make sure that you have clean and fresh water 24 hours a day. What's more, between 1 and 3 times a day (it will depend on your own dog) you should feed him, if possible a high quality feed that does not have cereals or by-products, since they could cause some type of food allergy.

If you do not want to give him feed, you can always give him homemade food, but if so, we recommend consulting a veterinarian who specializes in canine nutrition beforehand, because if nutrients are lacking, the animal's health would be harmed.

Hygiene

The Black Wolfdog is not a dog that gets very dirty. In fact, it is likely that more than a bath as such, it is enough to wash its coat with a dry shampoo. Anyway, of course you can bathe him, but not more than once a month, and always using products suitable for dogs.

Education and exercise

In order for him to be a good dog and to be happy, it is necessary to start training him from the first moment he becomes part of the family, using the techniques of positive training. With perseverance and being very patient, you will surely get him to learn the basic tricks, how he feels or looks.

But he thinks that not everything has to be education: physical activity and games are also important, which by the way can be mixed; In other words, exercise does not have to be at odds with fun. For example, a simple jog for him is pure fun, or going after a ball.

"Salud"

It does not usually have problems. Beyond a cold or similar illness, the black wolfdog can boast of being in good health. But for it to be this way throughout its life, it is essential that it be vaccinated, and examined once a year so that, in case of unforeseen events, they can be detected quickly.

Price 

The Herre Wolfdog is a beautiful animal that has an incredible character. If you have decided to acquire one so that it becomes part of the family, you have to bear in mind that the price of a puppy is about $700.

Videos of the Herreño Wolfdog

Would you like to meet this breed? Take a look at these videos: