The dog Gos d'Atura is an animal of Catalan origin. It is a sheepdog that has been used to care for herds in the Pyrenees thanks to its intelligence and skills as a working dog. The Gos d'Atura is a really appreciated dog in Catalonia, although it is certainly not so well known outside of this community.
At present this dog is highly regarded as a companion dog, since he is very loyal and has a great character. It continues to be a good herding dog, one of the best valued in Catalonia. We are going to see the characteristics of these dogs and what their care is, to learn a little more about the breed.
History of the Gos d'Atura
The origin of most sheepdogs is due to dogs introduced by Asians in barbarian invasions centuries ago. These dogs were expanding due to the Romans, who took them to different parts of Europe. This is how they were crossed with other breeds, creating the very different sheepdogs that there are today, which have the same origins.
These dogs are they stayed in the Catalan mountains, making the breed develop until it has its own characteristics. When used as a working dog, it was a breed that was cared for and appreciated for centuries, which was kept in a secluded area where it was not crossed with other breeds, hence it remained quite characteristic. In 1919 it was recognized as a Spanish canine breed, although after the Second World War it was on the verge of extinction. In the 70s the followers of the breed arrive, who put a joint effort when it comes to maintaining the breed.
Characteristics of the Catalan Shepherd
This dog is an animal longer than tall, Medium-sized. It gives the impression of being strong but without being heavy, as it offers agility. Its legs are strong and muscular, as it must be remembered that it is a working dog that has lived for generations in the mountains. His eyes stand out for having a dark amber tone and being round. Their ears are high and triangular.
La dog's tail is something interestingas it can have two different sizes. In some dogs it is long and in others it is very short, less than ten centimeters. Both are still the same breed, something peculiar in it, since dogs of one breed usually have the same size tail all the time.
Su fur is another of its characteristic featuresas it is long and can be smooth or wavy. It falls on his eyes on many occasions and that is why those eyes do not always look good. They also have a mustache and toupee. Their fur is usually always the same tone, with combinations of sand, gray and waffle. In this great coat it has a peculiarity, and that is that the dog first molts the front part and then the back part, so it seems that the dog is made up of two different coats. As we can see this is a really peculiar dog and different from other breeds.
Character of the Gos d'Atura
This dog is very attentive to his own and extremely faithful, although he can be suspicious of strangers. It was used as a guard dog for many years, so it still has this instinct of protection against people it does not know. It also has a herding instinct, so it can also be used in the field as a working dog.
For be used as a companion dog it is also perfect. He is good with the family, although we must socialize him with other people and dogs so that he is much more trusting with them. It is a friendly, active dog with a lot of empathy, so it will easily connect with children and adults.
Dog care
El Gos d'Atura is a very active dog, which has served for grazing for centuries. Like other working dogs, it needs daily physical exercise to keep it balanced. He must expend that energy he has, so it is a good idea to take him for a daily walk and run so that he is calm while at home. It is even recommended that these dogs do sports such as canicross or agilityas it helps them stay fitter and happier. These sports are perfect for this breed, as it helps them to use their strength and also their intelligence, making the dogs feel more satisfied and full.
El fur is another of the things I work on the most is going to give us the Gos d'Atura. This dog requires grooming about three to four times a week. When molting, it should be combed daily to remove excess hair that is falling out. This long hair is abundant and it is also important to comb it so that it does not get knots in it. It should be washed when we see it necessary and in these cases it should not be left wet, since the dog can become ill. It is important to dry it well before going outside.
Shepherd's Health
This sheepdog is in excellent health, so it does not usually show hereditary defects. In any case, periodic check-ups at the vet are very necessary. Like any dog, it can suffer from health problems. This becomes especially important when they reach the age of six or seven, as they become senior dogs. In addition, it must be taken into account that with long hair sometimes we can get some injuries or problems, so it is important to check it if we go with the dog to mountain places. Regular visits to the vet will help us to have a clear vision of his health at all times, avoiding major problems.
Why have a Gos d'Atura
This dog is an excellent animal that has shown us that it can be a good working and companion dog at once. It is ideal for houses where you want to have a guard dog that is company for the family. If we also have a garden where he can play and run, it will be the ideal place for him. We must not forget that we must be willing to play sports with the dog on a daily basis and take care of its beautiful coat. If we do not want to make this effort, it will be better to choose a breed that does not require this care. What do you think of this Catalan breed?