OVELHEIRO GAUCHO - Stockdog of Brazil
The Ovelheiro Gaucho (Gaucho Shepherd) was developed in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost province of Brazil. At the end of the 19th century, European immigrants brought in collies to work on the sheep and cattle ranches of the region. There was some interbreeding with other local herding dogs, but the collie background had by far the greatest influence as shown by appearance and working behavior. Like the original working collie, and unlike the Border Collie, the Ovelheiro Gaucho has an upright working stance, is loose-eyed or does not show "eye," is free-moving, will readily bark, and often carries the tail high, even over the back. Also like the original collie, and in contrast to the present-day Rough Collie seen at dog shows, the Ovelheiro Gaucho's coat is not as profuse, comes in a greater variety of colors, and the ear carriage may vary from semi-erect to fully erect or may be a rose ear. Type has varied, as different breeders have bred for types most suited for their situation. Cattle ranchers in particular preferred a taller dog. The general tendency has been for a type somewhat in between the Rough Collie and Border Collie.
The Ovelheiro Gaucho is considered to be an excellent working dog, courageous, intelligent, biddable and hardy. In addition to its use as a stockdog, it is active in agility competitions.
The coat is medium in length and all colors are accepted. Height is from 55 to 65 cm.
The Ovelheiro Gaucho (Gaucho Shepherd) was developed in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost province of Brazil. At the end of the 19th century, European immigrants brought in collies to work on the sheep and cattle ranches of the region. There was some interbreeding with other local herding dogs, but the collie background had by far the greatest influence as shown by appearance and working behavior. Like the original working collie, and unlike the Border Collie, the Ovelheiro Gaucho has an upright working stance, is loose-eyed or does not show "eye," is free-moving, will readily bark, and often carries the tail high, even over the back. Also like the original collie, and in contrast to the present-day Rough Collie seen at dog shows, the Ovelheiro Gaucho's coat is not as profuse, comes in a greater variety of colors, and the ear carriage may vary from semi-erect to fully erect or may be a rose ear. Type has varied, as different breeders have bred for types most suited for their situation. Cattle ranchers in particular preferred a taller dog. The general tendency has been for a type somewhat in between the Rough Collie and Border Collie.
The Ovelheiro Gaucho is considered to be an excellent working dog, courageous, intelligent, biddable and hardy. In addition to its use as a stockdog, it is active in agility competitions.
The coat is medium in length and all colors are accepted. Height is from 55 to 65 cm.
