Pastor Garafiano: Origin, qualities and care
He GARAFIAN PASTOR, also known as Pastor of Garafia, it is a dog that we have listened to. However, it is well known and appreciated in its native region: Canary Islands, as well as in Spain and in nearby countries. The history of Pastor Garafiano also has an interesting trajectory, knowing it allows even more to appreciate this race.
- Size: Medium - large.
- Weight: Between 24 and 35kg.
- Hair type: Long, abundant and Aleon.
- Character: Affable, protector and distrustful with strangers.
- Health: Healthy
- Life expectancy: Between 12 and 14 years.
Origin of Pastor Garafiano
The pastor of Garafia is a dog of Hispanic origin And, more exactly, he is a native of one of the Canary Islands, which is known as La Palma, specifically in the north of that island, in the Municipality of Garafia. Hence his name.
However, mentioning the region of origin is not enough. As the name implies, it is a Pastor Can. In his early years he lived with humans, devoting himself mainly to grazing, to the care of goats and sheep that made up the capitals of the inhabitants of the island. It was special for these tasks thanks to the fact that its physiognomy is ideal to mobilize through steep areas.
This is how Pastor Garafiano lived for many years. As the island inhabitants have abandoned grazing and land work, this has stopped being a pastor dog to be mainly a company dog, task that also fulfills splendidly.
It is relevant to mention that during the 60s, due to the indiscriminate and irresponsible crossing of this breed with other shepherd races, the pastor of Garafia was about to disappear as a race.
Given this terrible situation, an appropriate work group arose to defend it from the danger of extinguishing. This was known as the Working group for the recovery of pastor Garafiano, and later became called Spanish Pastor Dog Association Garafiano (AEPPG) and is currently active.
Physical characteristics of Pastor Garafiano
As for its appearance, Pastor Garafiano is relatively similar to a wolfHowever, its size is medium to large with a rather small head in relation to the size of your body. Its characteristic ears are located quite separated from each other in the back of the head.
His eyes, oblique, brown and close to each other, usually have a brilliant brown nuance, with a look always alert. These, together with his hairy cheeks and his little prominent chin, give him a Friendly and little aggressive appearance. In addition, its denture is a clamp type, quality that was very useful since it does not mistreat cattle (goats and sheep).
It is a strong, agile and muscular animal. The specimens of this breed are covered by a large amount of fur, especially in the chest, in the back and in the genital area, it allows you to protect yourself from the cold. They are light brown, similar to the color of the fur of a lion, and the puppies are dark brown and when some specimens grow can develop white spots, mainly in the tail. In relation to the latter, it has a characteristic saber form.
Character and behavior of the Pastor Garafiano
As for his character, Pastor Garafiano is usually friendly, docile and sure of himself. Being A great intelligence animal and of a strong and agile physical contexture, Pastor Garafiano is active and lively. It is a dog that needs to enjoy, play and exercise regularly, since it has enough energy that needs to be released.
After having lived together for so many years, perhaps centuries, with man, Pastor Garafiano has become accustomed in a very healthy way to this, being harmless and rather too quiet about the people who approach him. However, it presents the natural canine response to the strangers: in such cases, it usually bark, sniff, move its tail or fold its ears with the aim of maintaining a distance that gives you security with respect to those who do not know.
After becoming familiar correctly, he is totally friendly and playful. It is a race that has gone from having a work function to being company dogs precisely because of its affable personality and the unquestionable confidence that they have earned by their owners over the years.
Although for some years he was crossed with other shepherd specimens, it seems that the Pastor Garafiano did not resend himself as to his predominant personality. On the contrary, It has remained constant in time as a docile and helpful dog.
Behavior with other dogs
As with humans, Pastor Garafiano is usually not aggressive with other canine races. You can move your ears and your tail before the presence of an animal that does not know, it is more strange that you start some kind of intimidation or attack. In general, they are educated and cautious dogs, nothing violent.
This is also related to its high level of trust. It is a dog extremely aware of its forces and possibilities. Therefore, it is the ideal type of dog to live in community, it does not usually cause uproar or problems to other humans or their respective pets.
It is a completely sociable dog, even when it fulfills grazing functions, Pastor Garafiano is usually not territorial, on the contrary, although it does keep a certain distance with animals and strange people, once it adapts to them they do not represent any inconvenience. Pastor Garafiano concentrates on his task with great security.
Differences between males and females
As for their behavior, females and males do not differ remarkably. However, a greater temperance can be seen in the male because it does not present the behavioral changes of pregnancy and the delivery of the puppies.
The females, meanwhile, can be a bit more temperamental when protecting their puppies. The females of Pastor Garafiano also usually solve their differences with other animals taking distance or looking for a smarter exit, males in the few cases that present them, usually solve them through mutual challenges.
The Garafian shepherds of both sexes are few tending to the conflict and usually move away from it in search of a rested place to recover the lost tranquility.
Garafian Pastor Care
Feeding
As we mentioned before, Pastor Garafiano is a muscular and strong animalIt is an extremely energetic and active animal. These factors lead to the need for a nutritious diet that helps you recover proteins, minerals, liquids and vitamins after every daily action.
They require a diet with high energy value. It is recommended to determine this diet under the recommendation of a veterinarian, however, the basic recommendations are usually the following:
- Feed it with croquettes for nutrient -rich dogs (900 grams daily in adults)
- Vary food with soft foods (rarely a week or month)
- Supply animal and plant protein (help bones and teeth)
- Give sweets and in a few proportions
When the Garafiano pastor reaches the adult stage, it is also recommended that he feeds twice a day at a constant schedule. The bowl should be placed at can height to avoid digestive problems and even discomfort at neck level.
As for puppies, these can also eat croquettes suitable for their age and size. It must be very rigorous and not exceed the food of the little ones while it can trigger an overweight process.
Hygiene
Being an energetic dog, it is normal to take it for a walk and let it run outdoors. For this reason it will be important that you make a considerable investment in hygiene products for your pet. It will also be necessary to attend to all the details: keeping your ears and wax -free eyes and lagañas is extremely important to maintain your good appearance and health.
Because of its abundant fur, Pastor Garafiano requires preferably daily brushes, at least for two or three days a week. This helps prevent annoying flea and tick problems. It is equally important to meet a strict bath and drying routine in order to prevent infections or fungi in your skin. For this, it is important to consult with the veterinarian the recommended frequency for the bathroom, although it should not be higher once a month.
Health
Your health will not only depend on your hygiene, physical activity will also be necessary to complement the food-higiene-exercise triad. Not frequently exercising the Garafiano shepherd can develop anxiety and increase the chances of destroying some objects at home.
For the rest, this is a fairly healthy race that is not threatened by the development of relevant diseases, as long as the necessary care is granted, including the vaccines that merits from the moment of birth. Fulfilling these factors, you are very likely to succeed in the great responsibility of Raise and take care of a beautiful Pastor Garafiano, a loyal, intelligent and affectionate companion pet par excellence. Some may wait for you, Pastor Garafiano has earned your heart, don't think about it anymore.
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