Breed History
One must go back several centuries to find the origins of the Catalan Sheepdog or Gos d’Atura Catala. Most experts agree that during the expansion of the Roman Empire, the Bergamasco or the ancestors of this breed were taken throughout the Empire and crossed with local breeds. Influenced by the local climate, the terrain and the work required of the dog, the result was the beginning of the evolution of many breeds found today throughout a large part of Europe. These include the Cao de Serra d’Aires from Portugal, the Petit Berger from the Pyrenees, the Briard from France, the Nizzins from Poland, the Bearded Collie from Great Britain and of course the Bergamasco from Italy. The Gos d’Atura Catala, is above all, a very Mediterranean dog which can still be seen today working in the Pyrenean valleys and throughout the Catalunya region in Spain, including along the Costa Brava where the sea meets the pastures. The Gos d’Atura Catala has lived on farms in Catalunya for centuries driving livestock and warning households of the approach of strangers. However, during the last century and, as a result of demographic movement from the countryside to towns, many farms closed and the Gos d’Atura saw its numbers dramatically reduced. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 1970’s that a recovery process began to take place. adult dogs and puppies were bought from the remaining shepherds, who worked with only pure bred examples and followed a particular blood line.The Gos d’Atura Catala is a breed that has remained faithful to its origins and has not been bred for a particular look or on personal whims, so much so that a dog from the beginning of the 20th Century could be shown at a present day dog show with no problem at all. The first moves to set out the standard for the breed were made at the beginning of the 20th Century. As a result the Gos d’Atura Catala was recognised by the FCI (no. 87) based on two examples, Tac and Iris, which were shown at the Barcelona Exhibition in 1929. Today, the Gos d’Atura Catala is found principally as a pet. It is an intelligent animal with a balanced character. Whilst it is an active dog, it also adapts well to family life and is patient and friendly with children. In Catalunya this breed can still be seen working on farms with all types of livestock from cows and horses to ducks and geese. It can also be found taking part in agility classes and competitions. They are also used as police sniffer dogs and for Search and Rescue.
Character & Appearance
A very sedate dog, active, intelligent, and very vigilant. A noble expression, with a pleasant character. Resistant to both heat and cold. A dog of well balanced, medium proportion and medium size with a beautiful long flat or slightly wavy coat, with abundant undercoat. On the head a beard, moustache and tufted eyebrows. Wide open round eyes, amber in colour with black rimmed eyelids
Breed Standard
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. General Appearance A hardy, well balanced, medium sized sheepdog with moderate length of coat. Body slightly longer than high, approximately in the proportion of 9:8.
Characteristics Active and intelligent with a noble expression and a well-balanced and amenable character. Hardy and adaptable to all climates. Strong, firmly set double dewclaws on hindlegs are a breed characteristic and are of the utmost importance.
Temperament Excellent family dog. Alert, loyal and easily trainable. Can initially be wary of strangers.
Head and Skull Strong head, well proportioned with the rest of the body. The skull is slightly longer than wide with a marked central furrow which flattens towards a pronounced occiput. The proportion of skull to muzzle is 4 to 3. Slight but perceptible stop, not pronounced. Muzzle straight, rather short and blunt. Nose black.
Eyes Round. Dark amber to chestnut in colour, with black rims. Alert and intelligent expression.
Ears High set, triangular, hanging close to the head. Slightly longer than wide, covered with long hair ending in fringes.
Mouth Jaw strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws. Level bite tolerated. Good sized strong teeth. Tongues may have dark pigmented patches. Lips and roof of mouth black. Lips close fitting.
Neck Moderately short, solid and muscular, set well into shoulders.
Forequarters PProminent withers. Shoulders well muscled and well laid back. Upper arm strong and muscular with elbows close to the body. Forearms strong, lean, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns following the same vertical as the forearm, rather short.
Body Strong, muscular and slightly longer than high, approximately in the proportion of 9 to 8. Level topline. At first sight, the croup may appear higher owing to the coat. Well sprung ribs, chest reaching to level of elbows. Neither barrel ribbed or slab sided. Belly slightly tucked up. Short, strong well marked loins.
Hindquarters Slightly sloping croup. Strong and muscular with well developed first and second thighs. Hocks well let down and parallel when viewed from behind. Double well-boned dewclaws, set low.
Feet Oval. Pads firm and black. Well covered with hair, including between the pads. Inter-digital membranes. Nails black and strong.
Tail Low set and reaching below the hock. When at rest, the tail hangs and can form a curve or hook at its lowest part. Sabre tail also accepted. When excited or in action the tail is raised, but not curled over the back. Abundantly covered with slightly wavy hair. May be born tailless.
Gait/Movement Walks with fairly short strides, trots freely with vigour. Smooth Gait. Feet never raised very high. Head carried high with slow action, tending to drop with faster action. Effortless gait.
Coat Rough coated of medium length. Straight or slightly wavy. Fine dense undercoat. A moustache, beard and eyebrows which should not obscure the eyes. Denser on hindquarters. Legs, toes and tail well covered with hair. Skin fairly thick and close fitting all over the body and head.
Colour Fawn, Sable and Grey in all shades.
Black, which may have fawn or grey shadings at the extremities. May be frosted with white.
From a distance, the dog can appear to be unicoloured. Seen close up, it is apparent that this comes from a combination of the different shades.
White or black spots/patches highly undesirable. A few white hairs or small white star-shaped marking on the chest are permissible must not be accompanied by white nails.
Size Ideal height: Dogs: 47 - 55cm (18½ - 21½ ins)
Bitches: 45 - 53cm (17¾ - 20½ ins)
Slight undersized/oversized at maturity permissible as long as overall correct proportions are maintained.
Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which fault should be regarded and should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - January 2011
One must go back several centuries to find the origins of the Catalan Sheepdog or Gos d’Atura Catala. Most experts agree that during the expansion of the Roman Empire, the Bergamasco or the ancestors of this breed were taken throughout the Empire and crossed with local breeds. Influenced by the local climate, the terrain and the work required of the dog, the result was the beginning of the evolution of many breeds found today throughout a large part of Europe. These include the Cao de Serra d’Aires from Portugal, the Petit Berger from the Pyrenees, the Briard from France, the Nizzins from Poland, the Bearded Collie from Great Britain and of course the Bergamasco from Italy. The Gos d’Atura Catala, is above all, a very Mediterranean dog which can still be seen today working in the Pyrenean valleys and throughout the Catalunya region in Spain, including along the Costa Brava where the sea meets the pastures. The Gos d’Atura Catala has lived on farms in Catalunya for centuries driving livestock and warning households of the approach of strangers. However, during the last century and, as a result of demographic movement from the countryside to towns, many farms closed and the Gos d’Atura saw its numbers dramatically reduced. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 1970’s that a recovery process began to take place. adult dogs and puppies were bought from the remaining shepherds, who worked with only pure bred examples and followed a particular blood line.The Gos d’Atura Catala is a breed that has remained faithful to its origins and has not been bred for a particular look or on personal whims, so much so that a dog from the beginning of the 20th Century could be shown at a present day dog show with no problem at all. The first moves to set out the standard for the breed were made at the beginning of the 20th Century. As a result the Gos d’Atura Catala was recognised by the FCI (no. 87) based on two examples, Tac and Iris, which were shown at the Barcelona Exhibition in 1929. Today, the Gos d’Atura Catala is found principally as a pet. It is an intelligent animal with a balanced character. Whilst it is an active dog, it also adapts well to family life and is patient and friendly with children. In Catalunya this breed can still be seen working on farms with all types of livestock from cows and horses to ducks and geese. It can also be found taking part in agility classes and competitions. They are also used as police sniffer dogs and for Search and Rescue.
Character & Appearance
A very sedate dog, active, intelligent, and very vigilant. A noble expression, with a pleasant character. Resistant to both heat and cold. A dog of well balanced, medium proportion and medium size with a beautiful long flat or slightly wavy coat, with abundant undercoat. On the head a beard, moustache and tufted eyebrows. Wide open round eyes, amber in colour with black rimmed eyelids
Breed Standard
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. General Appearance A hardy, well balanced, medium sized sheepdog with moderate length of coat. Body slightly longer than high, approximately in the proportion of 9:8.
Characteristics Active and intelligent with a noble expression and a well-balanced and amenable character. Hardy and adaptable to all climates. Strong, firmly set double dewclaws on hindlegs are a breed characteristic and are of the utmost importance.
Temperament Excellent family dog. Alert, loyal and easily trainable. Can initially be wary of strangers.
Head and Skull Strong head, well proportioned with the rest of the body. The skull is slightly longer than wide with a marked central furrow which flattens towards a pronounced occiput. The proportion of skull to muzzle is 4 to 3. Slight but perceptible stop, not pronounced. Muzzle straight, rather short and blunt. Nose black.
Eyes Round. Dark amber to chestnut in colour, with black rims. Alert and intelligent expression.
Ears High set, triangular, hanging close to the head. Slightly longer than wide, covered with long hair ending in fringes.
Mouth Jaw strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws. Level bite tolerated. Good sized strong teeth. Tongues may have dark pigmented patches. Lips and roof of mouth black. Lips close fitting.
Neck Moderately short, solid and muscular, set well into shoulders.
Forequarters PProminent withers. Shoulders well muscled and well laid back. Upper arm strong and muscular with elbows close to the body. Forearms strong, lean, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns following the same vertical as the forearm, rather short.
Body Strong, muscular and slightly longer than high, approximately in the proportion of 9 to 8. Level topline. At first sight, the croup may appear higher owing to the coat. Well sprung ribs, chest reaching to level of elbows. Neither barrel ribbed or slab sided. Belly slightly tucked up. Short, strong well marked loins.
Hindquarters Slightly sloping croup. Strong and muscular with well developed first and second thighs. Hocks well let down and parallel when viewed from behind. Double well-boned dewclaws, set low.
Feet Oval. Pads firm and black. Well covered with hair, including between the pads. Inter-digital membranes. Nails black and strong.
Tail Low set and reaching below the hock. When at rest, the tail hangs and can form a curve or hook at its lowest part. Sabre tail also accepted. When excited or in action the tail is raised, but not curled over the back. Abundantly covered with slightly wavy hair. May be born tailless.
Gait/Movement Walks with fairly short strides, trots freely with vigour. Smooth Gait. Feet never raised very high. Head carried high with slow action, tending to drop with faster action. Effortless gait.
Coat Rough coated of medium length. Straight or slightly wavy. Fine dense undercoat. A moustache, beard and eyebrows which should not obscure the eyes. Denser on hindquarters. Legs, toes and tail well covered with hair. Skin fairly thick and close fitting all over the body and head.
Colour Fawn, Sable and Grey in all shades.
Black, which may have fawn or grey shadings at the extremities. May be frosted with white.
From a distance, the dog can appear to be unicoloured. Seen close up, it is apparent that this comes from a combination of the different shades.
White or black spots/patches highly undesirable. A few white hairs or small white star-shaped marking on the chest are permissible must not be accompanied by white nails.
Size Ideal height: Dogs: 47 - 55cm (18½ - 21½ ins)
Bitches: 45 - 53cm (17¾ - 20½ ins)
Slight undersized/oversized at maturity permissible as long as overall correct proportions are maintained.
Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which fault should be regarded and should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - January 2011