At a glance the quick version
The standard gives an approximate weight of about 40 kg rather than a range.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short (common) or long (rare), with fine undercoat
A large, well-balanced, rustic and athletic herding dog. Most have a short coat of about 1.5 to 3 cm over a fine undercoat; a long-coated variety with hair over 7 cm exists but is now very rarely seen.12
Personality what they are like
Devoted to its owner and often most attached to one person, intelligent and gentle at home, and naturally watchful. Young dogs can be shy and reserved, so early socialisation helps them grow into confident adults.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working farm dog that thrives with a job, plenty of daily exercise and room to move.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat is easy to keep: a weekly brush, more often when it sheds.1
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to a rural home or property with space and something to watch over, rather than a small flat.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete diet for a large, active working dog, adjusted to its workload.1
Company who they like around
Forms a strong bond with its family; benefits from firm, kind handling and early, varied socialisation with people and other dogs.12
The story where it all began
The origins of this Mallorcan herding dog are not known, and the first written descriptions come from the 19th century. Island farmers used it to manage sheep, cattle and goats and to guard rural properties. Spain's kennel club approved a standard in 1980 and the FCI accepted the breed in 1982.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 321, Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs, Section 1 Sheepdogs. Definitive acceptance 26.05.1982; short-haired and long-haired varieties; no working trial.3
- Real Sociedad Canina de España
- Breed standard approved in 1980; listed by the RSCE as a vulnerable native breed.2
- Spanish Ministry of Agriculture
- Recognised as a Spanish national breed in 2001; the Club del Ca de Bestiar was recognised by the Balearic government in 2002.2
How many 5072
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Majorca Shepherd Dog. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- 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 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 321 Perro de Pastor Mallorquín (Spanish) fci.beused for size, weight, coat, colour, temperament, use
- Wikipedia: Ca de Bestiar en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, recognition history, population, history, facts
- FCI nomenclature: Ca de Bestiar (321) fci.beused for recognition dates, varieties
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.