About 1000 meters above sea level in the far north of Portugal is the mountainous region of Castro Laboreiro and Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, Portugual’s only national park. It’s also the ancestral home of the ancient Cao de Castro Laboriero, possibly the only Livestock Guardian Breed with a single coat making it a serious contender for use in warm climate ranches. Since the 1500s,Portuguese sailors have been traveling to what’s now called Newfoundland, and it was common for them to bring their dogs along. Some historians believe that the Cao Castro Laboreiro may be the true ancestor of the Labrador Retriever, given the similarities;
The breed was chiefly raised by the women in this region, which, some feel, make them an excellent devoted family dog. Its sense of smell is so acute that a CCL can distinguish their own goats or sheep from those belonging to a different flock. When under attack, usually by a wolf, the breed behavior is to stand between the flock and the wolf, barking and chasing the wolf away.
Group Lobo “Wolf Group” is a Portuguese organization that’s encouraging farmers to use these dogs not only to cut down on livestock attacks, but to help the breed back from the edge of extinction. The FCI breed standard can be seen here.
Image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information.