At a glance the quick version
Figures from the FCI standard.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, smooth coat
A dense, short and smooth coat with a harsh feel, showing a little extra fringing on the tail and the backs of the thighs. The dog is sturdy and muscular, built for work in rough island pastures.13
Personality what they are like
A clever, responsive working dog that is calm and gentle with its owners and forms a strong bond with them, while staying watchful and firm with strangers. It is known for handling cattle with real skill.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A true working breed that does well with a job to do. Wikipedia notes these dogs can take part in agility, obedience, herding and tracking.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, harsh coat is easy to keep: an occasional brush removes loose hair.1
Home where they are happiest
Bred for farm and pasture work, it is happiest with space and regular outdoor activity.13
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its family and benefits from good training and early socialising, as it is naturally reserved with strangers.13
The story where it all began
Cattle dogs of this type have been recorded on São Miguel since the early 1800s and are thought to share roots with the old Terceira dog of the Azores. Farmers used them to move and hold dairy cattle and to guard homes. A written breed standard followed in 1984 and the FCI gave provisional recognition in 1995.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
When working dairy cows it traditionally nips low on the legs, a style that keeps the animals' udders out of harm's way.1
- 2
Although it herds cattle, the FCI files it with the mastiff-type molossian breeds rather than the sheepdogs.2
- 3
Its coat is always brindled, whether the base colour is fawn or grey.1
- 4
Besides herding, it has long been kept as a guardian of farms and people.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 340, Group 2, Section 2 (Molossian type, mastiff type); provisionally accepted 10 March 1995, definitively accepted and current standard published 21 May 2007; country of origin Portugal; no working trial.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Saint Miguel Cattle 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 [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 340 Cão Fila de São Miguel fci.beused for origin, size, coat, colours, temperament, use, history
- FCI nomenclature: Cão Fila de São Miguel (340) fci.beused for recognition dates, classification
- Wikipedia: Cão Fila de São Miguel en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, activities (secondary)
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.