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Official Standard of the Breed OVELHEIRO GAUCHO

Classification on CBKC: Group 11 - Breeds not recognized by FCI

Standard CBKC NR 05

Country of Origin: BrazilOriginal Name: Ovelheiro Gaucho

Utilization: Shepherd

Sergio Meira Lopes de Castro - President of CBKC

Domingos Josu Cruz Setta- President of Canine Council

Colaborators: Paulo Jos Ramos de AzevedoMilton Almeida

Leyla Hias Norte RebeloTelmo Souza Lima Filho

Translation: Gibran Hallal

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BRIEF HISTORY OF OVELHEIRO GAUCHO: Thats the Gauchos dog, faithful andinseparable companion. The State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), with its vast territory hasalways been conducive to local agriculture and livestock.

Since the remote beginning of settlement, when they began to wander by theimmensity of the pampas, the Amerindians, the first Spanish and Portuguese adventurers,

the fields were enriched because of the large herds of horses from some horses and maresthat were saved from a shipwreck in 1512, and the valuable herds of cattle, coming mainlyfrom the Jesuit missions.

Also the sheep breeding began to have great influence on the local economy. Tohelp with the care of livestock, dogs began to be used with great acceptance.These dogs being descended from herding dogs, they have great qualities required indealing with the delicate sheep, but also know how to lead a herd of cattle when necessary.

The Gaucho learned how to value his inseparable companion, because with two orthree dogs an only worker can take care an entire herd of cattle grazing. In certainproperties, the worker was hired according to the ovelheiro (shepherd) dog he had.

FUNCTION: The Ovelheiro Gaucho is a dog directly related to the field work, with themission of following the workers in their daily rural labors, performing the function of leadingthe sheep, taking them in the field and leading them to the pickets. Saving and protectingthem even from other animals, dogs and strangers are also functions of this race.

While at work, moving the herds of sheep from pasture to pasture, travels along sidethe herd or behind it, or returning to the rear to check the laggards and that, eventually,have strayed from the herd in order to keep it together. When the herd is installed, the dogslie on guard position. In daily farm work, it is common to them to do the whole work alone,dispensing, including men company. We can add that Ovelheiro Gaucho works not onlywith sheep but also with any herd. On Gaucho fields, when you hire a farm worker, it isessential he knows how to handle with dogs. A good Ovelheiro replaces easily three menat work and a farm worker without a dog is half worker.

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GENERAL APPEARANCE: Of medium size and structure, with not very long coat, it hasgreat strength, agility and hardiness.

TEMPERAMENT: easily adaptable to obey the commands, without being aggressive withthe sheep. Docile and friendly with people with whom they live.

HEAD: Of medium size in right proportion to the body. Viewed from above, has a triangularshape.

CRANIAL REGIONSkull: 1:1 ratio skull-muzzle.Stop: Moderate.

FACIAL REGIONNose: black, in black and whitecolored, may be lighter in gold coats.

And in Merles may have partialdepigmentation.Muzzle: Strong and straight.Lips: labial dry, well pigmented, dark,according to coat color.Teeth: Scissor bit.Eyes: Almond shaped, preferablydark; in merles, there may be an eyewith two colors or one eye of eachcolor.Ears: Set high, triangular, insert high,erect, semi-erect or pending in theshape of button.

NECK: Strong and without dewlap.

BODY: Deep and broad chest.Back: Strong and firm. Top lineslightly elevated on the back. Loin:Short and slightly rounded croup.Underline: Slightly tucked up.

TAIL: Thick at the base, set high,carried low, may curl on end, with longfur on the underside. While at work, it

can rise above the top line.

QUARTERSForequarters: Forelegs straight, parallel, firm, hare feet, with strong digits.Hindquarters: with good propulsion, well bent and short hocks.

COAT

HAIR: must be adapted to the weather and climate change. Medium and abundant hair.Thinner coat on elbows and hocks.

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COLOR: All colors are allowed.

HEIGHT: Males and females: 55 to 65 cm.

MOVEMENT: great potential for locomotion with long strides and fluent.