The Cane Paratore is a

breed A breed is a specific group of breedable domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist seve ...

herding dog A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a Dog type, type of dog that either has been trained in herding livestock or belongs to one of the dog breed, breeds that were developed for herding. A dog specifically trained to he ...

from

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

. The breed primarily exists in its traditional role in

Abruzzo Abruzzo (, ; ; , ''Abbrìzze'' or ''Abbrèzze'' ; ), historically also known as Abruzzi, is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy with an area of 10,763 square km (4,156 sq mi) and a population of 1.3 million. It is divided into four ...

, its historical region of origin, having not gained popularity from outside dog fanciers.

History and origins

The name ''Cane Paratore,'' sometimes called the ''Cane Toccatore,'' comes from an Italian dialect where "Paratore" translates to "to stand in front" or "to touch." The meaning is rooted from the breed's integral role of aiding in farming practices as a herding dog by moving livestock through less aggressive methods, such as light touches or standing in the path of livestock.

Genetics and ancestry

In 2018 a genetic study found that, just prior to 1859, a broadly distributed European herding dog had given rise to the

German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899. It was originally b ...

, the French

Berger Picard The Berger Picard ( , ) or Picardy Shepherd, is a French herding dog originating in Picardy. These dogs nearly became extinct after both World War I and World War II and remain a rare breed. Appearance The Berger Picard is a medium-sized, we ...

, and the five Italian herding breeds: the

Bergamasco Shepherd The Bergamasco Shepherd, , is an Italian breed of sheepdog. It originated in the Alpi e Prealpi Bergamasche, where it was used as a herding dog for both sheep and cattle. History The origins of the Pastore Bergamasco are unknown. A genetic s ...

, Cane Paratore, Lupino del Gigante, Pastore d'Oropa, and the

Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai The Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai (English: Lessinia and Lagorai Shepherd) is an old Italian dog breed from the northeastern region called Triveneto. It is not recognized by any major kennel organisation. Origin In 2018, a genetic stud ...

Physical characteristics

The Cane Paratore is a robust, medium-sized breed; adult dogs typically weigh 8–10 kg and have shoulder lengths of 30–35 cm. Morphologically, it has a wolf-like appearance. It has a wide head, erect or semi-erect ears, and thick coat—which can be agouti, sable, grey brindle, leopard (merle), black, or tan with a black mask. Although short and semi-long coats are popular, the breed's coat length can vary. The Cane Paratore is a swiftly maturing, defensive species that frequently exhibits remarkable levels of adaptability and endurance in a variety of settings.

Health and diet

Historically, Cane Paratore dogs have been fed a simple diet based on shepherds’ meals, including bran, whey, stale bread, and meal leftovers. Although generally healthy, they are prone to conditions such as osteodystrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Local anecdotal evidence suggests they have a strong immune system, potentially inherited from their wolf ancestry.

Conservation and current status

Today, the Cane Paratore is a rare breed that is largely unknown outside of Italy. Efforts are being made in Italy to conserve its bloodlines, particularly as its numbers have declined due to changes in farming techniques. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) does not recognize the breed, but it is being maintained by enthusiasts in Abruzzo and nearby areas. The Cane Paratore's small gene pool has apparently resulted in occasional natural crossbreeding with wild wolves, which local conservationists consider as a way to preserve genetic diversity.

References

External links

Video: Cane Paratore rounding up sheep
{{Italian dogs Dog breeds originating in Italy Herding dogs Rare dog breeds