Abstract
Simple SummaryThe Can de Palleiro or Galician shepherd is a canine breed that was in danger of extinction but is currently growing rapidly in popularity. In this study, different behavioural traits of the breed were evaluated in order to assess breeds, select the best breeding animals and identify behaviour problems. This is the first study carried out in the Can de Palleiro breed using different scientifically validated tests. Questionnaires filled by the owners (C_BARQ) were collected, and a behavioural test (SAB) was conducted to evaluate the response of the dogs to a specific stimulus at a certain time and in a certain environment. In addition, the results from the Can de Palleiro breed were compared with those obtained from the general canine population of Galicia. Thereby, the Can de Palleiro breed showed less owner-directed aggression, dog-directed fear, excitability, non-social fear and separation-related problems and better trainability.The Can de Palleiro (CP) is an autochthonous canine breed from Galicia (NW Spain). Interestingly, no previous research has been published about the behaviour of this breed. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain a deeper understanding of CP behavioural and temperamental traits and detect any potentially problematic behaviour by using the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) and the Socially Acceptable Behaviour (SAB) test. Behavioural information was obtained from 377 dogs—177 CPs and 200 general population (GP) dogs—using the C-BARQ. Additionally, 32 dogs were enrolled to perform the SAB test (19 CPs and 13 GP dogs) in order to directly evaluate their temperament. Our results indicated that CP dogs had a lower tendency to show aggressiveness towards their owners (0.18 times lower, p = 0.033) and less fear of other dogs (by 0.43 times, p = 0.001), as well as higher trainability levels (2.56 times higher, p < 0.001) when compared to GP dogs. CP dogs also had increased odds of showing chasing behaviour (3.81 times higher, p < 0.001). Conversely, CPs had reduced odds of non-social fear, separation-related problems and excitability (by 0.42, 0.35 and 0.48 times, respectively; p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.002). The current research represents a starting point for the study of the behaviour of CPs, which appear to be a working breed, with guarding and, especially, herding characteristics.
Highlights
Can de Palleiro (CP) is an autochthonous canine breed from Galicia (NW Spain), known as the Galician Shepherd
The CP is of Indo-European descent, which is evident from its rustic characteristics, with its ancestors likely being native to Galicia, having been imported by Galicians during the Palaeolithic era while expanding from the British Isles and European continent
The CP dog breed is rapidly growing in popularity as a breed of working and companion animals
Summary
Can de Palleiro (CP) is an autochthonous canine breed from Galicia (NW Spain), known as the Galician Shepherd. The CP is of Indo-European descent, which is evident from its rustic characteristics, with its ancestors likely being native to Galicia, having been imported by Galicians during the Palaeolithic era while expanding from the British Isles and European continent. The breed shares some of its origin story with German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and the Portuguese Castro Laboreiro. The CP is a rustic and lupine-type dog with a straight profile which is eumetric and mesodolichomorphic; it is of medium size, with a height of about 60–62 cm at the withers, harmonic proportions, a strong constitution, and fairly wide (‘thick-set’) bones. CPs are considered to have a strong and reticent character with strangers but usually show great loyalty to their owners with whom they are docile and calm [1,2,3]
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