Barbado da Terceira are assigned to the herding group, [1] and they originated on Terceira, an archipelago that helps create the Azore Islands, when settlers brought them there in the 1500s for livestock guarding and wild cattle herding. [2] While they do share some characteristics with other dog breeds, they have several unique ones, too. This wikiHow will help you figure out whether or not a dog is a Barbado da Terceira.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Taking Note of the Body Structure

  1. Male Barbado da Terceira are typically anywhere from 20.5 to 22 inches (52 to 56 cm) tall, and they usually weigh somewhere between 55 to 60 pounds (25 to 27 kg). Females usually are somewhere between 19 to 21 inches (48 to 53 cm) tall, and they typically weigh anywhere from 46 to 57 pounds (21 to 26 kg). [3]
  2. Barbado da Terceira should have a strong head that is quite large and proportionate with their body. You should also notice that the dog's skull length is a little longer than their muzzle length and that the dog has parallel longitudinal superior cranium-facial axes. [4]
    Advertisement
  3. Barbado da Terceira should have medium-sized, triangular-shaped ears that are set medium to high on the dog. Their ears are quite mobile, hairy, and they should also hang and be folded. When the dog is alert, their ears should be folded forwards and raised at their base. [5]
  4. Barbado da Terceira should have semi-frontal, horizontal eyes that are medium in size, oval in shape, and anywhere from honey to dark brown in color. [6]
  5. Barbado da Terceira should have a tail that is set medium to low and either left at its natural length (and thus medium-sized and not going past the dog's hock) or docked by the tail's third vertebra. The dog may also have no tail. When the dog is relaxed, their tail should have a curve at its inferior tip and be hanging. [7]
  6. Barbado da Terceira should be strong with a rustic appearance, and their body should be muscled well. Their gait should have good drive and be agile. [8]
    Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Looking at the Coat

  1. Barbado da Terceira may be a common, pale, or dark shade of black; wolf-grey; yellow; fawn; or grey in color. You may also notice markings that are white in color on the dog's back and/or front feet, belly, tail tip, and chest. You may also notice a collar that is white in color and/or a blaze on their head that is white in color. [9]
  2. Although the Barbado da Terceira should have a coat that is a little thick, it should not have a harsh texture. [10]
  3. Overall, Barbado da Terceira should have a dense coat that is long and a little wavy but not curly or straight. You should notice a large amount of undercoat throughout the dog's body, and the coat should be strong and dense on their muzzle, over their eyes (in fact, the coat should cover the dog's eyes), and on their entire head. There should also be a large amount of coat on the dog's jaw, which creates a "beard" (which is what the dog is named for), on their tail reaching their tip, and on their limbs (along with in between their toes). [11]
    • If the dog is being shown, they typically have a "working clip", in which their coat is evenly shortened. [12]
    Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Checking Temperament

  1. Barbado da Terceira are eager to please, and as a result, they are usually easily trainable. [13]
  2. While Barbado da Terceira are eager to please, they may also be willful and strong. [14] Therefore, their owner should ideally have experience. [15]
  3. Barbado da Terceira are known to be quite active, with an energy level that is average to high, meaning they will need regular exercise every day, whether that's guarding a flock, taking a walk, or games of fetch. [16]
  4. Barbado da Terceira are known to be loyal dogs overall, [17] and they are usually good companions. [18]
  5. Barbado da Terceira are also known to be joyful dogs. [19]
    Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question

      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Consider dog DNA testing if you want to find out what breed your dog is, since this can help confirm whether or not your dog is a Barbado da Terceira.
      Advertisement

      About this article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 421 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement