Bred to herd and look after flocks of sheep in the Catalan regions of Spain, the Catalan Sheepdog is likely to share the same roots as the Briard, Picardy Sheepdog, Pyrenean Sheepdog and the Beauceron.
Legend has it that Charlemagne (Charles the Great, King of the Franks, 771-814AD) was accompanied everywhere with two large, long coated black dogs that looked remarkably like the modern Briard. Tapestries from the 8th and 12th Century show him with these dogs and the legend goes that as he moved south, his dogs went with him. And as they travelled these dogs would have mated with the local bitches, who would have been useful, working dogs, and it is said lies the creation of the Catalan Sheepdog. Whether this is true or not, only the dogs will ever know!
For centuries the Catalan Sheepdog has been a versatile working dog, a herder of livestock, guarder of farms and homes, even a messenger and sentry during the Spanish Civil War. As with many breeds, the World Wars caused a decline in numbers, due to dogs being killed, dogs simply not being bred from, and the Catalan Sheepdog also suffered after WW2 when many farms closed. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, many farmers left the rural life and moved to take more reliable, easier and better paying work in the towns and cities.
Fortunately, the breed has its supporters and thanks to their efforts in the 1970’s they are now recognised by the FCI and the UK Kennel Club, although still a rarity in the UK.