Overview
When British and other European sheep farmers settled Patagonia in the late 1800s they brought their herding dogs with them, and the Patagonian Sheepdog, or Ovejero Magallanico, is what became of them. Genetic work has traced it back to old Welsh and Scottish collie types, which makes it a close relative of the Bearded Collie and Old English Sheepdog.
It is a medium-sized, rough-coated dog with a long, hard coat that keeps out wind and sleet. The temperament is that of a working collie: intense, attentive, quick to learn and in need of a job. Very few exist outside Chile and Argentina.
Exercise and walking needs
Two hours a day of real activity is a sensible minimum for a dog bred to work sheep across huge ranches. Off-lead running in a safe space, recall games and some structured work will keep it sane; a lead walk round the block will not.
Weather is not a problem. The coat was built for Patagonian wind and the dog will happily work in rain and snow. Heat is the exception, as with any heavy-coated herder.
On the walk
- Recall: Likely to be good once the dog has decided you count as its handler, and poor until then. A long line for the first few outings.
- Herding: Expect circling, crouching and attempts to gather other dogs. Keep it moving and redirect before the behaviour sets.
- Other dogs: Usually tolerant rather than playful. They were bred to work alongside other dogs, not to wrestle with them.
- Coat: Long and rough, with a dense undercoat. It sheds mud when dry but collects seeds and burrs in summer, especially around the ears and legs.
Tips for professional walkers
- Bring a job: directional games, hidden toys and short training bursts rather than a ball thrown fifty times.
- Check the coat for grass seeds and burrs after every summer walk.
- Keep a long line handy until recall is proven away from the owner.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog worked sheep, and how does it react to livestock on footpaths?
- What cues does it know, and how does the owner call it off a chase?
- Does the dog settle in a van, or does it need to see what is happening at all times?