Barbados da Terceira is a Portuguese breed of herding and guard dog. It is known for its loyalty and bravery. It has a robust and heavy body, with a square head and large ears set at about 45 degrees to the head. Its coat is short with dense fur.
The tail is thick and slightly curved over the back of the dog’s body. The colour comes in red or black, with white markings on the chest and toes of the hind legs. All colours have brown eyes and black spots on ears and cheeks.
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How to identify barbado da terceira?
Barbados da Terceira is a medium-sized dog with a square head with a length equal to its head’s width. The eyes are small and dark brown.
This breed has large, erect ears set at about 45 degrees to the head. Its square muzzle tapers towards the end and ends in a Roman nose. The chest is deep and wide. Its paws are strong, firm, and round with hairless soles.
History of Barbado da Terceira
The Barbados da Terceira (English: Terceira Island Mastiff) is a dog breed native to the island of Terceira, which belongs to the Portuguese Azores of Macaronesia. The Barbados Da Terceira is also known as Dogo da Ilha de Terceira, Cão de Caça da Terra Graciosa or Cão de Fila do Arquipélago dos Açores.

The Barbados da Terceira is a descendant of the Mastiff known to have existed in 15th century Azores and was first recorded in the Canção Nova, a popular song of the time.
However, it wasn’t until the early 19th century that it was recognized as an official dog breed in Terceira and its surrounding islands. The Barbados da Terceira was used for herding cattle and protecting small villages from attacks and as a family dog.
Food for barbado da terceira
Barbados da Terceira needs plenty of food rich in proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins. They are expert hunters and must get what they need from their daily meat or wild game meal.
Their diet should include lean meat, fish and fatty meat. This breed also needs fresh fruits and vegetables to avoid digestive problems and skin allergies.
Behavioural characteristics
Barbado da Terceira is a very intelligent, alert and faithful dog. They are excellent watchdogs. They are obedient and loyal but tend to be aggressive towards unfamiliar strangers. The females are more gentle than the males, but both tend to be territorial and fight anyone who tries to invade their territory.
Uses
Barbados da Terceira is a great family dog; they are affectionate and good with children. They can also be used as guard dogs, but they must be socialized with people from a very young age.
Breeding
Barbados da Terceira is a very hardy breed that needs to be trained early. They can live in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise and room to roam.
Health problems
Barbado da Terceira is a breed that has no health concerns. They are generally healthy dogs and only suffer from minor issues such as ear infections, skin allergies and digestive problems.
Best 10 information
Breed Name | Barbado da Terceira |
Another Name | Terceira Island Shepherd, Terceira Dog, Terceirense |
Country | Portugal |
Group | Herding |
Colours | Red, Black & White |
Coat Type | Rough coat |
Life Span Average | 10 to 14 years. |
Breed Purpose | guard, pet |
Breed Class, size | Medium, Large, 60 to 75 pounds. |
Climate Tolerance | Temperate |
Origin | Terceira |
Rarity | Rare |
As Pets | Yes |
Diet | Carnivore, |
Conclusion
Barbados da Terceira is a dog breed rarely seen today, and their numbers are dwindling. This breed used to help people with daily tasks, but they have become more of a rarity on Terceira Island.
They are brilliant and are known to be very aggressive, so they need owners with a lot of patience and training to make them good pets.