Longevity
Life expectancy
With an adapted lifestyle, regular preventive care and daily activity, this dog generally lives between 12 and 14 years.
Build
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.
Watch points
What to watch for
No specific hereditary condition dominates in the reference data, 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
Cold and heat tolerance
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
Tendency to gain weight
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.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it 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 vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Catalan Sheepdog? Like all dogs, the Catalan Sheepdog receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Catalan Sheepdog is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based 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 diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based 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 vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Catalan Sheepdog?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting 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 provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
