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Colorado Mountain Dog |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Colorado Mountain Dog |
| The Colorado Mountain Dog is a livestock guard dog with a friendly temperament that loves meeting people. They are gentle with children, and despite their size, they adapt well to indoor life, as they bond closely with their owners and love being part of their family. Descended from working dogs, Colorado Mountain Dogs defend their master's boundaries against prey animals that might try to make the point. Two dogs are needed where there are larger prey such as mountain lions or packs of coyotes. But one dog is perfectly suited to smaller predators such as wily foxes. They are ideal for farms or large ranches. They are usually white, although you can find them in other colors. The Colorado Mountain Dog is gentle with livestock, mixing with animals and becoming a trusted friend. Unlike other guard dogs, the Colorado Mountain Dog is welcoming and friendly to guests or visitors to your home, making it a good all-round guard dog. |
History of the Colorado Mountain Dog |
| Wendy Francisco and her husband started this breed, the Colorado Mountain Dog, after a mountain lion attacked and killed most of her herd of goats one evening on their Colorado farm. As a result, she researched the various livestock guarding dogs available, but became discouraged due to the high rate of genetic problems in purebreds and the dog's potential aggression towards visitors to the farm. As a result of her investigations, she acquired a crossbred cattle guard dog named Caspian, which was a cross between the Great Pyrenees and Anatolian breeds. Caspian proved to be an exceptional dog who fulfilled all her requirements. Not only was he a wonderful guardian, but he was also friendly and accepting of guests. Other farmers and ranchers also had the same problems as Wendy, in that they wanted a friendly but proven guardian for their livestock. Caspian became the lead dog in what would become the Colorado Mountain Dog breed. A bitch named Snow was found and crossed with Caspian, producing incredibly healthy offspring with exceptional guardian traits and a friendly temperament. From this small beginning, the breed slowly grew in numbers, as did the owner's reputation as an ethical breeder. By 2012, the number of breeders had grown and formed a network to promote the new breed standards. In 2015, the Colorado Mountain Dog name was trademarked and the first Colorado Mountain Dog Association registry was officially formed. Their mission - to promote the Colorado Mountain Dog as a loyal and affectionate family dog, perfect for small farms and ranches. The dog's predictable acceptance of human visitors to the farm is one of the most remarkable qualities of this beautiful dog. |
Appearance of the Colorado Mountain Dog |
| The Colorado Mountain Dog is a large dog measuring up to 86.5 centimeters in height, and is well balanced and beautifully proportioned in build. They sport a medium-sized chest, a strong straight back and long, straight legs with solid, well-padded paws. Their tail is thick like a plume of longer fur. The Colorado Mountain Dog's coat is generally white, of medium length and pleasantly soft to the touch. Longer fur on the mane, back of the legs and tail is normal, and they often develop a nice undercoat during the winter months. In summer, this warm, dense coat blows away to leave a finer, cooler coat. The face has a soft, friendly appearance and is elegantly styled. The muzzle is long and slightly sloping, the teeth coming together in a scissor bite. The eyes are what will draw you in; they are deep-colored, wide, very alert and expressive. This gentle giant is a handsome, classic-looking dog. |
Temperament of the Colorado Mountain Dog |
| The Colorado Mountain Dog has a stable temperament, which means it's always an outgoing, confident dog, with no aggression unless it's protecting its herd or family. Animals such as goats and sheep feel at home with the Colorado Mountain Dog, as the dog blends into the herd and bonds with their charges. Calm and quiet, they roam the perimeter of the property and watch over the flock. But don't be fooled by their gentle appearance, this is a dog on a mission and they are always on the alert and have a strong instinct to protect their charges. At home, this powerful dog is calm and docile inside the house, and is affectionate and very patient with young children. They bond well with family members, often wanting to join in their games or simply lie down next to them and keep them company. Faithful guardians and devoted companions, this dog has been bred to be a family companion and accept visitors or guests who may show up at your door. |
Needs and activities of the Colorado Mountain Dog |
| Although not hyperactive when it comes to energy, he's still an energetic dog who can spend hours wandering the property, checking out every crevice. If he's a working dog on a farm or ranch, he'll get plenty of exercise as part of his daily routine. But if he's a companion dog, he'll need a good-sized yard to run or stroll in, as well as a daily walk every day. They love to play a game or two with the family, and are patient with children who can sometimes become a little agitated in the excitement of a game. Their indoor manners are excellent, being calm and affectionate. They love to snuggle, and if you're cold, it's like having a living rug snuggling up to you. |
Maintenance of the Colorado Mountain Dog |
| The Colorado Mountain Dog is relatively easy to care for in winter, with just a good thorough brushing once a week, nail clippers if necessary and teeth brushing several times a week. Once summer arrives, your dog will need daily brushing to get rid of the winter undercoat that will fall out. Most Colorado mountain dogs are generally white in color, so they may need an occasional bath to keep their color fresh. Human shampoos can really strip oils from a dog's coat, so be sure to use a shampoo specially designed for dogs. These special shampoos are gentle and protect the Colorado Mountain Dog's natural skin oils. The oils are essential protection for your dog when he's out in all weathers. Don't forget to check your dog's ears for infections, and in summer, look for parasites and ticks. Apart from that, relax and enjoy your majestic dog. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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