Sardinian Shepherd Dog

Also called Pastore fonnesu, Cani sardu antigu, Cane de acapiu, Cani fonnesu antigu

Rare breedShort profile

From Italy, from rural inner Sardinia.1

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male29 to 40 kg1

Weight, female25 to 32 kg1

Height, male56 to 60 cm1

Height, female52 to 56 cm1

Sizelarge

versatile working dog

hardy island landrace

distinctive expressive face

Coat and looks how to spot one

rough double coat

Usually a rough, coarse outer coat over a woolly undercoat, shorter on the head and hindquarters, with longer furnishings around the eyes and muzzle. About one in seven dogs has a short coat instead.1

Coloursblackashhoneybrindlegreybrownwhite1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A traditional working breed used for herding, catching and guarding livestock, so it needs an active life with a job to do.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The rough double coat benefits from regular brushing, with a little extra attention to the facial furnishings.1

Home where they are happiest

Suited to rural life with space and livestock work.1

The story where it all began

An old Sardinian landrace, with images of the type going back at least to the mid-1800s. The modern breeding population was founded from around 170 dogs gathered in the rural interior of the island, giving it a broad genetic base.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Its forward-set amber eyes are said to give it a monkey-like expression.1
2
Around 30% of these dogs are born with a natural bobtail.1
3
It is an all-round farm dog, used to herd, catch and guard livestock.1

Recognised by the official bits

Alianza Canina Latina: Recognised by the Alianza Canina Latina.1
FCI: Not recognised by the FCI.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Sardinian 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.

Wikipedia: Sardinian Shepherd Dog en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields (secondary)

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.