Cao Dos Mourey Breed Details
Below are details and specs for the Cao Dos Mourey dog breed.
Cao Dos Mourey Dog Breed
The Cao Dos Mourey is a massive dog hailing from Portugal and is rare to find elsewhere; the name literally translates to "Dog of Mourey". They are working dogs that often accompanied gamekeepers and served as guardians to their owners or families. They have retained many traits from the Mastiffs, Bulldogs and Terriers from which they were bred including: protectivity, suspicion of strangers, agility and working tenacity. Indoors with their "pack" they will be calm, docile and devoted family guardians. They will need moderate outdoor playtime daily and immediate, firm training of their place in the household. Moureys typically get along with all other pets if socialized early. They require little grooming and have few health issues, often reaching 11-13 years old.
Cao Dos Mourey Breed Description
The Cao Dos Mourey is likened to a larger and stronger Bull Mastiff with Terrier-like speed. Males often reach 30 inches at the shoulder and 180+ pounds. Females will be smaller at around 27 inches and often up to 160 pounds. Despite their very large size, they can live indoors, even apartments, and will be calm around the home.
Cao Dos Mourey dogs are protective of their owner or family and can make intimidating guard dogs if trained to do so; if not they are typically aloof around strangers, regardless. Around children this breed will be gentle and protective, however, supervision is advised due to their huge size. If socialized early and taught not to be overly domineering with other dogs, they can get along with other pets (even cats).
Firm, consistent training from puppy age is necessary for the Mourey and the main goal is for them to see you as the alpha or else they may be too much dog for you to manage. These large dogs love to exercise and will need at least a long daily walk and plenty of outdoor playtime in an enclosed area. They also enjoy toys such as balls. Grooming consists of little more than brushing 2-3 times per week to remove dead hairs since they are moderate shedders; bathe as necessary. Not many health issues are documented for this breed but large dogs nearly always risk joint problems such hip dysplasia in later life, along with the ever-present danger of bloat if allowed to eat too quickly. Cao Dos Moureys will likely live 11-13 years.
These dogs are descendants of Mastiffs, Bulldogs and Terriers and breeding is thought to have begun during the mid-70's. These working guard dogs were meant to maintain the size, high pain tolerance, protectivity, and suspicion toward strangers while also inheriting the agility, tenacity and prey drive of the Bulldogs and Terriers. The coat of this breed should be brindle and the darker the shade, the better. They may or may not have a white patch on the chest and/or white markings on the legs.
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Updated:June 24, 2016