Terceira Mastiff

USD $1500 - $2500 Price Avg.

Hunting Dogs

Group

Purebred

Breed Type

Large

Size

10-11 years

Lifespan

Breed Information

Group Hunting Dogs
Popularity/Rank 401
Origin Portugal
Other Names Cão de Fila da Terceira, Fila da Terceira, Rabo Torto
Breed Type Purebred
Price (Avg.) USD $1500 - $2500
How much does it cost to buy a Terceira Mastiff?
Terceira Mastiff are usually priced differently from breeder to breeder and from place to place. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay between $1500 to $2500 if you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. The price will increase if the dog has a fantastic pedigree. Dogs that already have basic training maybe even more expensive. But, most Terceira Mastiffs can be adopted through a shelter for a lower fee.
Size Large
Weight Male: 80-90 pounds (36-41 kg),
Female: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg)
Height Male: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm),
Female: 18-20 inches (46-51 cm)
Lifespan 10-11 years
Recognized by
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And Not recognized by FCI.
Purpose Protection.
Date of Origin 17th century
Ancestry Portuguese

Appearance & Maintenance

Coat Smooth
Coat Colors Fawn, Yellow
Grooming Level
Shedding Level
Eye Color Possibilities Hazel, Amber, Brown, Black, Blue
Nose Color Possibilities Black, Brown, Tan, Liver, Blue
Coat Color Possibilities Fawn, Brindle, Red, Apricot, Black, Silver, Grey
Coat Length Medium
Coat Density Medium
Coat Texture Wiry
Recommended Brushes Slicker brush, Pin brush, Undercoat rake, Shedding blade, Nail clippers, Grooming scissors.
Brushing Frequency Once a week

Breed Characteristics

Temperament Calm, Defensive, Protective
Intelligent
Trainability
Playfulness
Sensitivity Level
Affection Level
Social Interaction Required
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Biting Force Low
Mouthiness
Impulse to Wander or Roam
Prey Drive
Adaptability
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Fighting Dog Not really

Good & Friendly with

Apartment Life Friendly
Stranger Friendly
Kid-Friendly
Cat Friendly
Dog Friendly
Office Friendly No
Senior Citizens Friendly
Pet Friendly
Friendly with First Time Owners No
Service Dog Not really
Therapy Dog Not really
Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog Not really
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Not really
Boat Dog Not really
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Yes

Health Elements

Health Issues
Hypoallergenic No
Energy Level
Exercise Required
Sleeping Required
Weight Gain Potential
Weather & Climate Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Stinkiness High
Drooling tendency
Activity Level Low
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week 20 miles
Minutes of Activity Per Day 30-60 minutes

Food & Costing

Avg. Daily Food 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Cups Per Day 3-4 cups
Daily Cost $20-$30
Monthly Cost $50-$100

Reproducibility

Gestation Duration 60-64 days
How often can the Terceira Mastiff have a litter? Once a year.
Litter Size 4-10 puppies (Once a year.)

Description

The Terceira Mastiff is a large and powerful breed of dog that originated in the Azores Islands of Portugal. This breed is known for its impressive size, strength, and loyalty. The Terceira Mastiff has a strong and muscular body with a broad head, deep chest, and thick neck. Its coat is short and dense with colors ranging from black to fawn to brindle.

The average lifespan of the Terceira Mastiff is 10-12 years. They typically weigh between 80-120 pounds and stand at 24-28 inches tall at the shoulder.

The personality of the Terceira Mastiff is one of loyalty, courage, and protectiveness. They are very devoted to their family members but can be wary of strangers if not properly socialized from an early age. They are also very intelligent dogs that can be trained easily with patience and consistency.

Terceira Mastiffs are generally friendly towards other dogs as well as children when raised together from puppyhood or introduced properly in adulthood. However, they may be aggressive towards other animals if not socialized properly or given proper training from an early age.

The temperament of the Terceira Mastiff is one that requires firm but gentle handling in order to ensure they remain obedient and well behaved throughout their life span. They need plenty of exercise on a daily basis in order to stay healthy both physically and mentally as well as regular grooming sessions to keep their coats looking healthy all year round.

Health wise, the Terceira Mastiff is generally considered a healthy breed however they may suffer from hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia which can cause lameness or arthritis later on in life if not treated promptly by a veterinarian when symptoms first appear .

In terms of adaptability level ,the Terceira Mastiff does best when living indoors with its family members where it can receive plenty of attention ,exercise ,and love .They do not do well living outdoors alone for extended periods due to their need for companionship . As pets ,the benefits include having an incredibly loyal companion who will always have your back no matter what .

History

The Terceira Mastiff is a large dog breed that is native to the island of Terceira in the Azores archipelago. The breed is believed to be descended from the ancient Molosser dogs of Greece and Rome. The Terceira Mastiff was once a popular breed on the island, but it became nearly extinct in the 20th century. The breed was saved from extinction by a few dedicated breeders who began to promote the breed in the 21st century. The Terceira Mastiff is now recognized as a distinct breed by several kennel clubs.

The history of the Terceira Mastiff dog is shrouded in mystery. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed to be descended from the ancient Molosser dogs of Greece and Rome. The first recorded mention of the Terceira Mastiff was in a 14th century document from Portugal, which described a large dog with short hair that was used for hunting on the island of Terceira. It is unclear how long the breed existed on the island before becoming nearly extinct in the 20th century.

The Terceira Mastiff became nearly extinct in the 20th century due to a combination of factors. First, many of the dogs were killed during World War II when American troops occupied the Azores islands. Second, there was a general decline in interest in large breeds such as mastiffs during this time period. Finally, many of the remaining dogs were killed during an outbreak of rabies on Terceira Island in 1954. By 1960, there were only two known surviving members of the breed: a male and female dog named Bico and Preta respectively.

TheTerceira Mastiff was saved from extinction by a few dedicated breeders who began to promotethe breedin the 21st century. Oneof thesebreederswas João Paulo Barbosa, who foundedthe kennel club "Cão da Serra de Aires"in 2006withthe goalof preservingthebreed. Thanks tothe efforts of Barbosaand otherbreeders,theTerceiranMastiff has madea comebackin recent yearsand is nowrecognizedas adistinctbreedbyseveralkennel clubs, includingthe Portuguese Kennel Clubandthe Federation Cynologique Internationale.

The Terceira Mastiff is classified as a working dog by most kennel clubs. The breed is used for hunting wild boar and other game animals on Terceira Island. The dogs are also used for guarding livestock and property against predators such as foxes and coyotes. In recent years, some Terceiran Mastiffs have been trained as service dogs for people with disabilities or special needs.