The Cao de fila de Sao Miguel (Azores Cattle Dog) bears the specific characteristic of being a medium sized dog, which sets it apart from other Cattle Dogs, on average it is much bigger. They walk with the typical characteristic of wadding slightly fringed in the a**l region and buttocks. Their color encompasses the reddish-yellow, streaked, and the gray, also streaked, in both the dark and the li
ght tonalities; it may also have white patches in the frontal region, chin, chest, and feet. The tail should be docked by 2nd or 3rd vertebra. The ears are normally cut round. Temperament
The Cao de fila de Sao Miguel is a rustic and dominant animal, able of remaining outdoors during the entire year guarding the herds and the tools used in agriculture. It's very intelligent and quick to learn, executing various master's commands. As a dog used in driving milk cows it usually bites low so as not to wound the mammary glands of the cows, biting higher on the lost cattle. A working dog by excellence but also a good guard dog of the property or as a protection dog. A dog with a very sharp temperament but docile to his master. Very intelligent with a great capacity to learn. Due to their function as a cattle dog he bites low with the objective not to harm the redders of the cows. Nevertheless they may bite higher when handling stray cattle. For the right owner, this breed makes an excellent guard and watch dog. They are very defensive of their territory. He should be well socialized, preferably when young with both dogs and people, especially with children, as the breed tends to be naturally wary of strangers, though he is very friendly with those he knows. In order to successfully keep a Cao de fila de Sao Miguel the family must achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success.
