Cão de Gado Transmontano
| Other names | Transmontano Mastiff Transmontano Cattle Dog |
|---|---|
| Origin | Portugal |
| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |
The Cão de Gado Transmontano (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈkɐ̃w̃ dɨ ˈɣaðu tɾɐ̃ʒmõˈtɐnu];English: Transmontano Mastiff or Transmontano Cattle Dog) is a rare molosser working giant dog breed, originating in and largely limited to the region of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province, Portugal. Their primary function is flock and herd protection, and their success is interlinked to the welfare of the flock and the presence of wolves, particularly. Although they are a regional breed, their wolf defense capacity has led to limited experimental importation elsewhere.
The origin of this mountain dog conjoins the history of all the Iberian mastiffs, and its evolution is linked to the transhumance route on the Iberian Peninsula. In ancient times this molossus dog stood in the high regions of Portugal, in particular in Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province. The breed is used to improve pastoralism by developing it as a , particularly against Iberian wolf attacks, that are always prolific in the area. The breed has evolved over time with improved genetics through selective breeding for the conditions of pastoral farming. It is thought to have roots with the Tibetan Mastiff. It is an offshoot to the Rafeiro do Alentejo, the southern Portuguese cattle dog, which "for many centuries" would follow the cattle herd in their migrations within the country. As those migrations were curtailed, the two breeds diverged. The breed also shares "some similarities with the short-haired Estrela Mountain Dog."
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