Longevity
Life expectancy
With an adapted lifestyle, regular preventive care and daily activity, this dog generally lives between 12 and 14 years.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its rugged build, inherited from working in the mountains, gives it great endurance and a good ability to adapt to demanding conditions. This sturdiness does not exempt it from an annual veterinary check-up or from careful monitoring during growth.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
No specific hereditary condition predominates for the breed, but growth, joints, drooping ears and coat condition deserve regular monitoring.
Osteoarticular growth: Activity that is too intense or an unbalanced ration during growth can weaken the cartilage; exercise must remain gradual until maturity.
Ear irritations: Drooping and hairy ears must be inspected and cleaned with a suitable product in order to limit moisture and inflammation.
No known major predisposition: The breed is reputed to be robust, but regular veterinary follow-up remains necessary to detect early any individual abnormality.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its abundant coat allows it to withstand cold and climatic variations well. It also tolerates moderate heat, provided it has shade, fresh water and that exertion is limited during the hottest hours.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Naturally lean and active, the Catalan Sheepdog easily maintains an athletic build when its ration matches its level of exercise. It is advisable to regularly monitor its body condition and adjust portions if its activity decreases, especially with age.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have a veterinary check-up carried out at least once a year.
- Inspect and clean the drooping ears regularly.
- Brush several times a week and daily during shedding.
- Adapt the level of exercise to the age throughout the entire growth period.
- Keep vaccinations and antiparasitic protection up to date.
Vaccination
Catalan Sheepdog vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Catalan Sheepdog need? Like all dogs, Catalan Sheepdogs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Catalan Sheepdog vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Catalan Sheepdog booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Catalan Sheepdog need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Catalan Sheepdog
An annual veterinary examination, the checking of the teeth, ears, skin and locomotion are recommended. In the young dog, the veterinarian can monitor growth and advise a progressive activity in order to preserve the cartilage; before breeding, an orthopedic screening of breeding dogs constitutes a useful precaution.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
