---
title: "Portuguese Sheepdog - temperament, price, health | Pedibase"
description: "Everything to know about the Portuguese Sheepdog (Portugal): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders."
canonical_url: "https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog"
meta:
"og:description": "Everything to know about the Portuguese Sheepdog (Portugal): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders."
"og:image": "https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/5574/ca-csa-brch.jpg"
"og:image:alt": "Dog and cat breeders near you"
"og:image:height": "630"
"og:image:width": "1200"
"og:title": "Portuguese Sheepdog - temperament, price, health"
"twitter:description": "Everything to know about the Portuguese Sheepdog (Portugal): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders."
"twitter:image": "https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/5574/ca-csa-brch.jpg"
"twitter:title": "Portuguese Sheepdog - temperament, price, health"
---
> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+5
Dogs
# The Portuguese Sheepdog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Portugal
A rustic, intelligent and tireless Portuguese Shepherd, built for work and wide open spaces.
Size MediumLife expectancy 11–13 yearsBudget ≈ €107/monthPuppy €800 – €1,000
[Find a breeder 4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-sheepdog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=portuguese-sheepdog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Fair
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- High intelligence: He learns quickly and enjoys activities that engage his thinking.
- Remarkable endurance: His hardiness and energy make him suited to work and canine sports.
- Loyalty: He develops a strong bond with his owner and shows himself to be very involved in shared activities.
- Simple maintenance: Weekly brushing is generally sufficient despite his long coat.
- Very high activity needs: He tolerates a sedentary life poorly and requires daily physical and mental activities.
- Apartment living not very suitable: His need for space and numerous outings makes this lifestyle difficult.
- Reserved with strangers: Early socialization is essential to manage his natural wariness.
- Demanding training: His energy requires a consistent framework and an owner available from the youngest age.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active people: He willingly accompanies an athletic owner capable of offering him long outings.
- Dog sports enthusiasts: His intelligence and agility are particularly suited to agility and obedience.
- Households with space: A rural environment or a large fenced garden better meets his need for movement.
- Experienced owners: They will know how to channel his energy and structure his socialization consistently.
Not recommended for
- Sedentary people: Its almost constant need for activity is incompatible with a not very active daily routine.
- Households often away: The lack of interactions, work and outings may harm its balance.
- Living exclusively in an apartment: Even with walks, the lack of space makes it harder to meet its needs.
- Owners looking for a very easy dog: Its vigor and protective instinct require consistent training.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
49 cmPortuguese Sheepdog
- Height at the withers
- 42–55 cm
- Weight
- 17–27 kg
- Coat
- Long, dense, coarse, without undercoat
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- Portugal
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Portuguese Sheepdog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Portuguese Shepherd, also known as the Serra de Aires Dog, originates from Alentejo, in southern Portugal. Its ancestors accompanied local shepherds in the mountains of the Serra de Aires, a region marked by cold, windy winters and hot, dusty summers. Selected to drive and guard varied herds, notably sheep, cattle, horses and pigs, it distinguished itself by its intelligence, frugality and endurance. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale definitively recognized the breed on 16 November 1954.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Portuguese Shepherd is a medium-sized dog, rustic and agile, whose body is slightly longer than tall. Its strong head without being massive has an almost square skull, a well-marked stop and medium, rounded eyes, hazel to dark amber in color. Its triangular ears are set high and hanging. Its long, dense coat without undercoat is smooth to slightly wavy, with a harsh texture reminiscent of goat hair. The hair forms a characteristic beard, moustache and eyebrows. Accepted colors include in particular grey, fawn, charcoal fawn, brown, yellow and black. Its long, well-furnished tail reaches the hock.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Extremely loyal to its owner, the Portuguese Shepherd is attentive, skilful and enthusiastic at work. Its protective instinct is strong and it is naturally wary of strangers. Very intelligent, it learns quickly and enjoys cooperating with a consistent person. It is also an athletic companion that seeks activity, interactions and useful tasks. Early socialization helps to channel its reserve and to encourage calm relationships with children and other animals.
Playful Intelligent Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Portuguese Shepherd needs to exercise frequently and to use its intelligence. It prefers to have space, ideally a large fenced garden, but this does not replace walks, training work and shared activities. It can excel in agility, obedience and in disciplines that draw on its herding abilities. A life that is too sedentary or long periods without occupation may harm its physical and mental balance.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must begin early and combine firmness, consistency and positive methods. His intelligence, his thirst for learning and his taste for play make him a receptive student, but his energy and his working-dog temperament require a clear framework. Short, varied and regular sessions are particularly suitable. Socialization must be carried out from the youngest age in order to get him used to people, animals, environments and everyday situations.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Portuguese Sheepdog
The purchase price varies depending on the lineage, the quality of the selection, health guarantees, identification and the reputation of the breeding kennel. You should also plan for the annual maintenance budget, estimated by the source at between 1 050 and 1 150 euros, excluding major unforeseen veterinary expenses.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Portuguese Shepherd is described as a hardy and robust dog, with good resistance to the harsh climatic conditions of its region of origin. No particular health problem is reported as a major characteristic of the breed. As with any active dog, regular veterinary follow-up, an appropriate diet and monitoring of the musculoskeletal system remain important.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Portuguese Shepherd can be fed with high-quality kibble suited to its age, its weight and its activity level. Its ration must support its significant energy expenditure without leading to weight gain. The quantities should be adjusted according to its body condition and the recommendations of the manufacturer or the veterinarian.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
In its region of origin, the Portuguese Shepherd is sometimes nicknamed "monkey-dog" because of its appearance, its agility, its speed and its way of moving. Despite its common name, it did not guard only sheep: it was also used with cattle, horses and pigs.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Portuguese Sheepdog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Portuguese Shepherd live in an apartment?
Apartment living does not suit him well. This very active working dog needs numerous outings, regular activities and, ideally, secure access to large spaces.
### Is the Portuguese Shepherd easy to train?
His intelligence and desire to learn make progress easier, but his energy requires early, firm, consistent and positive training, as well as careful socialization.
### What care does its coat require?
Weekly brushing is generally enough to remove dead hair and maintain a clean, tangle-free coat. Professional grooming is not essential outside of show preparation.
### Is the Portuguese Shepherd an athletic dog?
Yes. It has a very high need for activity and can particularly excel in agility, obedience and activities that draw on its sheepdog abilities.
## Find a Portuguese Sheepdog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Portuguese Sheepdog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Portuguese Sheepdog breeders by country
[2 breeders of Portuguese Sheepdog in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-sheepdog/switzerland) [1 breeder of Portuguese Sheepdog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-sheepdog/germany) [1 breeder of Portuguese Sheepdog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-sheepdog/netherlands)
[All breeders of Portuguese Sheepdog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-sheepdog)
## Ready to welcome a Portuguese Sheepdog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-sheepdog)
## Discover other breeds
[Catalan Sheepdog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/catalan-sheepdog)
[Majorca Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/majorca-shepherd-dog)
[Miniature American Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/miniature-american-shepherd)
[Australian Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd)
[Belgian Malinois
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/belgian-malinois)
```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Find dog and cat breeders near you. France's leading breeder directory, with an interactive map, breed information, and verified reviews.","inLanguage":"en","name":"Pedibase","url":"https://www.pedibase.com","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/search?q={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#identity"},"translationOfWork":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#website"}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#webpage","description":"Everything to know about the Portuguese Sheepdog (Portugal): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders.","name":"Portuguese Sheepdog - temperament, price, health","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog","@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en#website"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/1"},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/2"},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/3"},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/4"}],"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/5574/ca-csa-brch.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"inLanguage":"en","contentUrl":"https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/5574/ca-csa-brch.jpg"}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#identity","@type":"Organization","description":"Pedibase is a free directory of dog and cat breeders that helps prospective owners find a registered breeder near them.","email":"contact@pedibase.com","name":"Pedibase","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/","contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"contact@pedibase.com"},"logo":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#logo"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Aurion","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1 rue Pasteur","postalCode":"72000","addressLocality":"Le Mans","addressCountry":"FR"}},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/pedibase","https://www.instagram.com/pedibase_app"]},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://www.pedibase.com/en","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Dogs","item":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breeds","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Portuguese Sheepdog","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/1","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"Can the Portuguese Shepherd live in an apartment?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Apartment living does not suit him well. This very active working dog needs numerous outings, regular activities and, ideally, secure access to large spaces."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/2","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"Is the Portuguese Shepherd easy to train?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"His intelligence and desire to learn make progress easier, but his energy requires early, firm, consistent and positive training, as well as careful socialization."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/3","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"What care does its coat require?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Weekly brushing is generally enough to remove dead hair and maintain a clean, tangle-free coat. Professional grooming is not essential outside of show preparation."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-sheepdog#/schema/question/4","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"Is the Portuguese Shepherd an athletic dog?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. It has a very high need for activity and can particularly excel in agility, obedience and activities that draw on its sheepdog abilities."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Pedibase","contentUrl":"https://www.pedibase.com/logo.svg","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/logo.svg"}]}
```