MyDogBreeds
Cao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) is originated from Belgium. Cao da Serra de Aires may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren). Cao da Serra de Aires may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren). Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) has almost same life span. Cao da Serra de Aires may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren). Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) requires Moderate maintenance.
Ancestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.
Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.
The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.
Referred to as the ‘Terv’, this dog from Belguim was created in the late 19th century. He is one of 4 varieties of Belgian Shepherd and he has a long, fawn colored coat. It was in 1892 that the first show for Belgian Shepherds took place and it was the Tervuren variety that won.
Breeders of these dogs gave each of the four varieties their own name, and the name Tervuren comes from a Belguim village. This is where M.F. Corbeel bred dogs, believed to be the foundation of the Tervuren breed.
In World War I, many of these dogs were used by the military for war related jobs. Some of these dogs were imported to America for breeding and in 1959 it was considered a separate breed from other Belgian Sheepdogs.
The beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.
The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.
The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.
He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.
The Tervuren is a medium to large sized, well muscled dog achieving heights of up to 66cm. He has an attractively elegant, regal look to him. The dog has a double coat which is weather resistant. The overall length of the coat which is fawn to mahogany is medium to long and the outer coat is straight with black tips. The males have almost like a mane of hair around the neck that you won’t necessarily find with the females. The tail is long and feathery
The Belgian Tervuren is alert and intelligent. His has a long-shaped face with a black mask and upright ears that are sharp and receptive to every sound. He is a herding dog and is full of energy – used to having a job that keeps him busy.
If you don’t want your Tervurens to become destruction, you will need to keep him busy and not just keep him cooped up in the back yard. This particular dog breed is a devoted, loyal pet and forms a strong bond with his human family. However, he will need to be trained and socialized if you want him to behave well around children and pets in the home.
The Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.
Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.
With his beautiful face and lustrous coat, this is a pet that you’re always going to be proud of. Not only that, he is active too, a great watchdog and a fantastic family companion.
To keep your Tervuren spritely and contented, ensure he has a high quality diet designed for active herding dogs. He is intelligent too and training and socialization will turn him into an exceptional pet for you. Provide him with lots of human companionship, give him nutritious food and see that any ailments he has are attended to by the vet and you’ll have your attractive pet around with you for up to 12, 13, 14 or 15 years.
As with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.
Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.
There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.
This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.
Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.
Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.
Your Tervuren is a robust, healthy dog breed and with the right food, love and attention, you’re not going to have major health concerns with him. Skin allergies, eye problems and hip dysplasia might be something you want to be aware of.
A dry, itchy skin with incessant scratching from your pet might require a visit to the vet. If left untreated, an itchy skin and a scratching dog can lead to secondary skin infections and even hair loss. Check for allergies or fleas, and remember that apart from medical management of fleas and ticks, dogs with a dull coat will require a supplement with omega 3 fatty acids.
A common skeletal disorder with malformation of the hip brought on by environmental- and genetic factors. Recognizing the signs of hip dysplasia is important for your dog to help him with pain.
As a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.
The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.
To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.
Your Terv is a double-coated dog and he will shed his hair throughout the year. Brushing him at least twice in the week will be necessary to get rid of the hair he sheds. Apart from brushing him and keeping his beautiful coat shiny and healthy, other grooming needs will include clipping his nails and dental hygiene. Brushing his teeth 2 or 3 times a week with specialized dog toothpaste and toothbrush will help with keeping plaque and bacteria at bay.
Speak to your vet about feeding your Tervuren puppy as he will need at least 4 bowls of food while he is so tiny. By the time he is a year old, he will be able to have 1 or 2 meals a day. Always make sure you feel him high quality food which can be home-made food or commercially manufactured food.
To ensure he doesn’t suffer with any skin allergies, he will need to have some raw meat mixed into his food from time to time. Always provide fresh water for him and make sure to wash the bowls out often.