The master Rafel Servera from Llucmajor
The ca de bestiar has to be taught starting at 5 months of age

(Translated by Nuria Juhera)

The ca de bestiar, as the name reveals, has the function of handling the livestock. It’s a strong dog and it’s very common in many farms in Majorca because the ranchers became involved in the breeding of this dog to keep the herding of livestock alive. The ca de bestiar is also used to guard homes because it is aware of who the master is and because it knows that its mission is to defend him or her. Mr. Rafel Servera, from Llucmajor, has been a shepherd for many years and he has always had a ca de bestiar nearby to help him control the flock.

—The ca de bestiar is a pasture dog. What are the most common tasks that the dog performs with the sheep?

—It usually herds them. For example, if a sheep runs away, the dog goes get it, punishes it and forces it to go back to its place. The dog’s help is very important for the shepherd because if he falls sleep, the dog prevents the sheep from wandering and getting lost.

—Are all the ca de bestiar good for the job?

—No, not all of them are good. It’s the same as with students in high school: of 400 people, not all of them are good students. The same thing happens with the ca de bestiar. The shepherd has to make a conscious effort to teach them how to guard the cattle.

—When does the teaching start and when does it finish?

The ca de bestiar has to be taught starting at five months of age. It is educated on the fields, while standing guard. Afterwards the dog learns without help, observing how its master controls the flock. Some people teach their dogs next to other dogs, but some cannot be taught like this.

The ca de bestiar, apart from herding, is also good at defending people and possessions. Even though its main feature is not the loyalty of its race, it knows who its master is, it defends them and it knows that has to help him work.

—Do they accept changing shepherds or do they always want to be with the same master?

—Usually they only recognize one master. If a shepherd gives the dog to another shepherd, it is possible that the new master will be able to use it for work. The new master, though, has to be very smart and know how to teach it. Sometimes you might need months to "re-educate" the dog, but sometimes it cannot be accomplished.

—Are the ca de bestiar shows useful?

—They are if the person handling the dog knows what he or she is doing, and knows what he or she is dealing with. Otherwise, the shows are useless and many times it would be better if they didn’t even exist.

The ca de bestiar has to learn to interpret the shepherd’s commands to perform its tasks. Quite often the shepherd needs them, and they have to be at the end of the group to control the flock, making sure that sheep do not scape or stay behind.

—The ca de bestiar’s ability with the job. Is it inherited or is it a learnt skill?

I think that most of them are born with the ability to perform this job. Usually, if the sire and the dame have been good herding and guard dogs, the brood is also good to guard the flock and to collaborate with the shepherd’s tasks.

  Home Ca de Bestiar Rembrandt Sasha
Pictures Links Mom and Dad (Erin & Mark)   Guest Book

Questions or additional info? email erin@nijmeijer.com