Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Majorca Shepherd Dog, or Ca de Bestiar, developed on the island of Majorca as a working herding and guarding breed, intended to accompany livestock and protect property. The breed evolved naturally under the influence of the island’s isolated geography and demanding working conditions. Dogs were selected for their ability to manage large cattle, endure long movements in the sun, and maintain a stable temperament. Through natural selection, traits such as strength, endurance, courage, and independence became firmly established. In the 20th century, systematic breeding began and the breed received official recognition. Today, the Majorca Shepherd Dog is used as a guardian, herding, and family dog, retaining its traditional working type.
General Appearance
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a large, strong, muscular dog with a powerful yet dry constitution that reflects its working purpose. The body is slightly elongated, solid and harmonious, with a deep chest and well-developed musculature. The head is massive but proportional, with a calm and confident expression. The limbs are straight and strong, providing stability and power in movement. The neck is powerful and blends smoothly into a level topline. The tail is of medium length and carried naturally. Overall, the breed conveys an impression of strength, balance, and readiness for work, combining guarding and herding qualities.
Important Proportions
Balance of body proportions is crucial for the Majorca Shepherd Dog, ensuring strength, agility, and long-term working capacity. Height at the withers and body length should be proportioned to maintain a balance between power and mobility. Chest depth is approximately half the height of the dog, providing sufficient lung capacity. The head is proportional to the body, with a well-developed muzzle and strong jaws. The limbs must have correct angulation, ensuring stability and drive. The bone is strong but never coarse. All proportions are directed toward forming a functional working shepherd dog capable of performing demanding tasks in an island climate.
Behavior and Temperament
The Majorca Shepherd Dog has a calm, confident, and independent temperament shaped by centuries of work as a herding and guarding dog. It is attentive, composed, and quick to evaluate its surroundings, displaying reliability in all conditions. With its owner the dog is loyal but not clingy, preferring to work independently while maintaining contact and obedience. With strangers it may be reserved, though never unjustifiably aggressive. In work, the breed shows courage, persistence, patience, and readiness for prolonged effort. Its temperament blends strength, discipline, and steadiness, making it an ideal guarding and herding dog.
Head
The head of the Majorca Shepherd Dog is large and massive yet proportional to the body. The skull is broad, slightly convex between the ears, and the stop is moderately defined. The muzzle is strong and deep, nearly equal in length to the skull, tapering smoothly toward the well-pigmented nose. The lips are tight, slightly pendulous but not coarse. The jaws are powerful, with a full set of teeth and a scissor bite. The cheeks are well developed, emphasizing the strength of the head. Its overall form expresses confidence, calmness, and stability characteristic of a working shepherd.
Foreface
The foreface is defined by a strong, deep muzzle with a straight or slightly convex nasal bridge and a large, fully pigmented nose. The lips are tight, moderately pendulous, forming a clean outline. The jaws are broad and strong, providing a firm grip and reliability when working with livestock. The teeth are large, even, with a scissor bite. The cheeks are muscular yet dry, reinforcing the breed’s working nature. The foreface conveys seriousness, attentiveness, and calm confidence, reflecting both guarding and herding abilities. All elements must retain clean lines and full functionality.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, oval, and set slightly obliquely, giving an expression of attentiveness and controlled confidence. The iris ranges from dark brown to almost black, always harmonizing with the coat. The eyelids are dry, tight, and well-pigmented, important for protecting the eyes in sun and dusty conditions. The expression is calm and deep, reflecting a balanced temperament and quick situational awareness. Eyes must not be too light, round, or protruding. Correct expression highlights the seriousness and working character of the breed.
Ears
The ears of the Majorca Shepherd Dog are medium-sized, triangular, set high, and may be erect or semi-erect depending on type. They are mobile and responsive to sounds, emphasizing the dog’s alertness. The cartilage is strong but not coarse, and the ear shape contributes to the breed’s serious working appearance. Ears that are too large, pendant, or low-set are undesirable. The inner surface is covered with short protective hair. Correct ears create a clear, expressive silhouette and support the breed’s typical working type.
Neck
The neck is strong, muscular, and of medium length, blending smoothly into a well-defined withers. It has sufficient thickness and strength to withstand demanding herding and guarding work. The topline of the neck is slightly arched, emphasizing the breed’s strength and noble appearance. The skin is tight, without pronounced dewlap, which is important in warm climates. The neck must allow free head movement, wide visibility, and stability during sudden turns. A neck that is too short or too long is considered a fault.
Body
The body is powerful, strong, and well-proportioned, emphasizing the breed’s working function. The topline is straight and firm, without dips or excessive arch. The withers are pronounced and transition smoothly into a strong, broad back. The loin is short, muscular, and firmly connected to the croup. The chest is deep, broad, and oval-shaped, ensuring good lung capacity and stability in movement. The ribs are moderately arched, never barrel-shaped. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, showing a dry build. The croup is strong, moderately sloping, with well-developed musculature. The body conveys reliability, strength, and true working qualities.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, set moderately high, and carried naturally—down in repose, slightly raised when working. It is straight, without kinks, tapering toward the tip. The hair is dense and close-lying. The correct tail emphasizes the breed’s silhouette and balance. Tails that are too short, curled, or excessively high or low set are faults. Tail movement should be confident but not overly active, reflecting the calm temperament of the working dog.
Exterior Description
Forelimbs
The forelimbs are straight, strong, and well-set under the body, providing stability and drive. The shoulder blades are long, sloping, close-fitting, with well-developed musculature. The upper arms are strong, with well-defined angulation ensuring free movement and correct reach. The forearms are straight, powerful, and well-muscled. The wrists are firm and stable. The pasterns are moderately sloped, reducing impact during active work. The feet are compact, round, with strong pads. The forelimb structure supports stability, power, and working efficiency.
Hindlimbs
The hindlimbs are powerful and well-muscled, providing strong drive, stability, and maneuverability when working livestock. The thighs are broad, with dense, dry musculature. The stifles are well-defined, elastic, and free from weakness or outward turning. The lower thighs are of medium length, strong, and parallel when viewed from behind. Hocks are low-set, cleanly defined, mobile but firm. The rear pasterns are straight, strong, and not turned in or out. The feet are compact, with strong pads, offering stability on rocky and uneven terrain. Proper hindlimb structure ensures confident movement and high working efficiency.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Majorca Shepherd Dog is confident, powerful, and steady, with strong drive and good reach. Movement is straight and stable, without crossing or body roll. At the trot the dog demonstrates a smooth, economical stride that enables long work without fatigue. The forelimbs extend freely, while the hindlimbs provide strong propulsion, creating coordinated, harmonious motion. As speed increases, the gait becomes more expansive while remaining stable. Cow-hocked movement, crabbing, shortened stride, or visible uncertainty are faults. Correct movement reflects the breed’s function as a guarding and herding dog.
Coat
The coat is dense, close-fitting, of medium length, forming a reliable protective layer adapted to Majorca’s hot climate. The outer coat is straight, coarse, and close-lying, protecting against sun, moisture, and mechanical impact. The undercoat may be moderate or pronounced depending on season, providing temperature regulation. The neck coat is slightly thicker, forming a light ruff. Coat on the tail and hind limbs is dense but not overly long. Too soft, curly, or sparse coat is unacceptable. Correct coat quality highlights the breed’s working type.
Permitted Colors
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is predominantly black; solid black or coal-black is typical for the breed. Small white markings on the chest or tips of the feet are acceptable if they do not disturb the overall impression. The coat must be rich, uniform, and stable, without dilution or patchiness. Nose, eye rims, and lips must be fully black-pigmented. Light or weak pigmentation is considered a fault. Dark colors reflect the working type and help protect the dog from sun exposure under Majorca’s climate.
Size
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a large, powerful breed. Males typically stand 62–66 cm at the withers; females 58–62 cm, with distinct but harmonious sexual dimorphism. Weight ranges from 30 to 40 kg, while the dog must remain strong, dry, and athletic without excessive mass. Balance is essential: overly heavy dogs lose agility, while overly light dogs lose stability and working efficiency. The breed’s size directly relates to its purpose—strength and stamina to manage livestock and remain steady in all conditions.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the working type and loss of structural harmony. These include weak bone, loose musculature, insufficient chest depth, dips or excessive arch in the topline. Undesirable features include disproportionate head, overly coarse or overly light structure, weak pigmentation of the nose or eye rims, light eyes, soft or thick lips. Other faults include incorrect bite, missing teeth, overly short or high-set ears. Movement faults include poor reach, weak drive, cow-hocks, crossing, or unsteady movement. Too soft, curly, or sparse coat reduces protection. Faults are assessed according to their effect on working ability.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include any traits that completely contradict the breed type or exclude the dog from breeding. These include unjustified aggression or marked fearfulness, incompatible with the breed’s working purpose. Dogs with incorrect bite, absence of several teeth, or significant depigmentation of the nose, lips, or eye rims are disqualified. Severe orthopedic issues, limb deformities, paralysis, kinks or breaks in the tail are not permitted. Atypical colors, albinism, or marked loss of pigmentation are also disqualifying. Any anatomical defect that prevents proper work and movement excludes the dog from evaluation.
Important Notes
In evaluating the Majorca Shepherd Dog, the primary criterion is its working type: not only structural harmony but also functional performance. Minor deviations are acceptable if they do not impair the dog’s ability to guard or herd. Seasonal shedding is not a fault. Temperament must be steady, confident, attentive, and resilient. Coat must be dense, functional, and adapted to Majorca’s climate. The judge must evaluate the dog as a whole, preserving the breed’s traditional working type.
Conclusion
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a strong, reliable, and independent breed that preserves the ancient working qualities of island shepherd dogs. It combines endurance, confidence, and the ability to perform long, demanding tasks while remaining loyal and attentive to its handler. Its strong build, dense coat, and stable temperament make it versatile for guarding, herding, and working in challenging climates. The breed demonstrates balance, discipline, and natural power, making it a valuable working partner and dependable family dog. The Majorca Shepherd Dog continues to embody functionality and tradition through the centuries.
