Barbado da Terceira
Also called Terceira Bearded Dog, Terceira Cattle Dog
From Terceira island in the Azores, Portugal.1
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, wavy double coat
A medium-sized, athletic herder covered in a long, thick, wavy coat with a dense undercoat, finished off by the full beard that gives the breed its name.12
Personality what they are like
A bright, happy and sensitive dog that learns quickly and wants to cooperate, with a bit of a stubborn streak. It is protective of its home and works willingly with cattle.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An athletic working breed that needs daily exercise and a task or training to keep it content.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The long, wavy coat and beard need regular brushing to stay free of tangles.1
Home where they are happiest
Happiest in an active home with room to move, ideally with owners who have some dog experience.2
Company who they like around
A devoted family and companion dog that thrives with close contact and consistent, kind handling.2
The story where it all began
Its ancestors arrived on Terceira with settlers and sailors from the fifteenth century onwards, and the most useful herding types were kept for working the island's cattle. The dog stayed a local working breed until Portuguese recognition in 2004.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- Clube Português de Canicultura
- Recognised as a Portuguese breed in 2004 (also recognised by the Portuguese veterinary authority DGV the same year).1
- AKC
- Foundation Stock Service since 2021.1
- FCI
- Not recognised by the FCI.1
How many 2221
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Barbado da Terceira. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
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- Barbado da Terceira - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition, size, coat, colours, history, population
- Barbado da Terceira - American Kennel Club akc.orgused for temperament, activity, companion role
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.