Can de Palleiro

Also called Can do gando, Can das vacas, Can da casa, Can lobo, Lobeiro

Rare breedShort profile

From Spain, Galicia in the north-west.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male30 to 38 kg1 2

Weight, female25 to 33 kg1 2

Height, male59 to 65 cm1

Height, female57 to 63 cm1

Sizelarge

Spanish Wikipedia gives around 40 kg as a typical figure.

balanced and steady

loyal family guardian

versatile working dog

2 1

Coat and looks how to spot one

thick, dense coat

An athletic shepherd with a pyramid-shaped head, upright side-set ears and strong legs. The coat is thick and dense, growing heavier in winter.1 2

Colourssandcinnamonchestnut-brownwolf-greyblack1 2

Personality what they are like

Steady and well balanced, reserved with strangers but devoted to its family. At home it is calm and gentle, yet it keeps a watchful eye on its territory and will bark to announce visitors.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A multi-purpose worker that herds and guards cattle; modern dogs also do rescue and police work, so it needs regular exercise and a purpose.1 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush the dense coat regularly, more often during the heavier winter coat.1

Company who they like around

Strongly bonded and protective of its household.2

The story where it all began

This Galician farm dog long worked cattle and guarded homesteads without much outside notice. It was close to disappearing before official recognition in 2001, and numbers have been rising since.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Its name comes from the palleiro, the haystack or hay barn where these dogs traditionally slept.1
2
It has many local nicknames, including Can lobo (wolf dog) and Can das vacas (cow dog).1
3
Beyond the farm, the breed has been used in rescue and police work.1

Recognised by the official bits

Xunta de Galicia: Officially recognised in April 2001 (published in DOGA, May 2001), with a stud-book.2
Spanish national government (BOE): Recognised nationally by royal decree in 2001.1
Club da Raza Can de Palleiro: Breed club formed in 2002.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Can de Palleiro. 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 7every year

Start a free diary

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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 [email protected] and we will fix it.

Can de Palleiro - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition, size, colours, history, facts
Can de palleiro - Wikipedia (es) es.wikipedia.orgused for temperament, build, recognition

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