Cao de Castro Laboreiro Complete Breed Guide

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a Portuguese herding dog who has protection on its mind 24/7. This dog was bred to guard their flock, so they have plenty of energy and will do whatever it takes to keep their families and homes safe.

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a herding dog that gets their mouthful of a name from their Portuguese hometown. This breed was originally developed to herd livestock and protect the flock, so they make great guard dogs. Their protective personality isn’t a good mix for families with young children or smaller animals, though, especially since they have strong hunting instincts and will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. The Laboreiro is a loyal companion and is more low-key behind the scenes. They still have dominant tendencies that need to be curbed with training and socialization, but if you can manage these pups, they'll protect you no matter what.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a guard dog at heart, so they may have issues in homes with lots of other animals. They do best in single-dog homes that have lots of space to roam and exercise. This breed is used to being outside for hours on end, but they also should have access indoors to spend time with the family. Laboreiros can get along with children that they’re raised with, but they’re also perfectly content being by themselves and having all of your attention.

Exercise & Activity

Like most herding breeds, the Cao de Castro Laboreiro has energy for days and needs a lot of exercise. These dogs should get at least an hour of activity each day, whether it’s a long walk, running around the backyard, or working hard to keep your livestock safe. They’re known to wander, though, so make sure they’re confined to avoid escaping.

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a loyal, brave dog whose mind is set on protecting their flock. This is a courageous and dominate guard dog, but they're very easygoing and docile with their families. The Laboreiros are known to bark at strangers or when something isn’t right, so listen for their signals to pay attention. These dogs also need a firm owner who can teach them right from wrong and keep them under control.

Cao de Castro Laboreiros have short, thick coats of coarse hair. Their fur comes in all shades, but the most common is grey with brown and red. The Laboreiro’s coat is shorter on top and longer on the bottom. They don’t have an undercoat and are not big shedders, so they’re fairly easy to groom.