The {{lang|ca|i=no|”’Ca de Bestiar”’}} or {{langx|es|i=no|”’Perro de Pastor Mallorquín”’}}) is a Spanish [[list of dog breeds|breed]] of [[herding dog]] indigenous to the island of [[Mallorca]], in the [[Balearic Islands]] of Spain. It is used as a herding dog, as a watchdog and as a [[guard dog]].<ref name=FCI-2002>[http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/321f02_fr.doc “Chien de Berger de Majorque” FCI Standard N°321] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606174548/http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/321f02_fr.doc |date=2011-06-06 }} 30 August 2002, Fédération Cynologique Internationale</ref> It is of medium size. The coat may be either short or long; it is entirely black, either with or without a white patch on the chest.<ref name=FCI-2002/>
The {{lang|ca|i=no|”’Ca de Bestiar”’}} or {{langx|es|i=no|”’Perro de Pastor Mallorquín”’}}) is a Spanish [[list of dog breeds|breed]] of [[herding dog]] indigenous to the island of [[Mallorca]], in the [[Balearic Islands]] of Spain. It is used as a herding dog, as a watchdog and as a [[guard dog]].<ref name=FCI-2002>[http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/321f02_fr.doc “Chien de Berger de Majorque” FCI Standard N°321] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606174548/http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/321f02_fr.doc |date=2011-06-06 }} 30 August 2002, Fédération Cynologique Internationale</ref> It is of medium size. The coat may be either short or long; it is entirely black, either with or without a white patch on the chest.<ref name=FCI-2002/>
==History==
==History==
In 2026 it was among the sixteen Spanish breeds considered by the Real Sociedad Canina de España to be [[endangered breed|vulnerable]].{{r|rsce}}
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a tall, up to 73 cm and up to 40 kg (88 lb) shepherd and guard dog. Most of the breed is short-haired, about 1.5 to 3 cm long on the back, with a very fine, thin undercoat. In the long haired variety, the hair is slightly wavy on the back and can reach over 7 cm in length in the winter. In the long-haired variety the undercoat is well distributed and not thick, showing varying shades of black. The ears, which are slightly bent from the side, are relatively small, triangular, thick and set high on the head. The color of the fur is described by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as follows: “The only acceptable color is black in the shades jet, normal and pitch black. White is only permitted on the chest, a thin tie at the neck and the front and rear (…) “.<ref name=FCI-2002/> Räber mentions an additional dark brindle coloration.<ref>”Der Ca de Bestiar” ”in” Räber, Hans ”Enzyklopädie der Rassehunde: Ursprung, Geschichte, Zuchtziele, Eignung und Verwendung” volume 1, Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart, page 377, {{ISBN|3-440-06555-3}}</ref>
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a tall, up to 73 cm and up to 40 kg (88 lb) shepherd and guard dog. Most of the breed is short-haired, about 1.5 to 3 cm long on the back, with a very fine, thin undercoat. In the long haired variety, the hair is slightly wavy on the back and can reach over 7 cm in length in the winter. In the long-haired variety the undercoat is well distributed and not thick, showing varying shades of black. The ears, which are slightly bent from the side, are relatively small, triangular, thick and set high on the head. The color of the fur is described by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as follows: “The only acceptable color is black in the shades jet, normal and pitch black. White is only permitted on the chest, a thin tie at the neck and the front and rear (…) “.<ref name=FCI-2002/> Räber mentions an additional dark brindle coloration.<ref>”Der Ca de Bestiar” ”in” Räber, Hans ”Enzyklopädie der Rassehunde: Ursprung, Geschichte, Zuchtziele, Eignung und Verwendung” volume 1, Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart, page 377, {{ISBN|3-440-06555-3}}</ref>
== References ==
== References ==
{{commonscat}}
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist
<ref name=rsce>[https://web.archive.org/web/20251112151747/https://www.rsce.es/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RAZAS-VULNERABLES.pdf Razas españolas consideradas vulnerables (del 1 de mayo de 2025 al 30 de abril de 2026)] (in Spanish). Madrid: Real Sociedad Canina de España. Archived 12 November 2025.</ref>
}}
{{Spanish dogs}}
{{Spanish dogs}}
Dog breed
The Ca de Bestiar or Spanish: Perro de Pastor Mallorquín) is a Spanish breed of herding dog indigenous to the island of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands of Spain. It is used as a herding dog, as a watchdog and as a guard dog.[1] It is of medium size. The coat may be either short or long; it is entirely black, either with or without a white patch on the chest.[1]
While the timing of its arrival is unknown, the breed came with the conquest of King James I of Aragon or shortly thereafter, and over the centuries the Majorcan Shepherds and foravilers conferred its very own and distinct features, not only from other island dogs, but also its neighbors around the Mediterranean.[citation needed] It was used as a shepherd dog for cattle, a bird dog, and to guard and defend the home.[citation needed] It has benefited, in the islands, from the near disappearance of the Ca de Bou breed.
Selection and controlled breeding began in the 1970s, and a breed standard was drafted in 1980. This prototype was accepted by the Real Sociedad Canina de España, and was also accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale on 13 September 1982.
In 2026 it was among the sixteen Spanish breeds considered by the Real Sociedad Canina de España to be vulnerable.[2]
The Majorca Shepherd Dog is a tall, up to 73 cm and up to 40 kg (88 lb) shepherd and guard dog. Most of the breed is short-haired, about 1.5 to 3 cm long on the back, with a very fine, thin undercoat. In the long haired variety, the hair is slightly wavy on the back and can reach over 7 cm in length in the winter. In the long-haired variety the undercoat is well distributed and not thick, showing varying shades of black. The ears, which are slightly bent from the side, are relatively small, triangular, thick and set high on the head. The color of the fur is described by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as follows: “The only acceptable color is black in the shades jet, normal and pitch black. White is only permitted on the chest, a thin tie at the neck and the front and rear (…) “.[1] Räber mentions an additional dark brindle coloration.[3]
