Mantiqueira Shepherd
The Mantiqueira Shepherd Dog (Cão-pastor-da-mantiqueira), also known by the nicknames "Policialzinho" ("Little Policeman") or "Pastor Brasileiro" ("Brazilian Shepherd"), is a medium-sized herding dog breed that originated in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, in the Southeast Region of Brazil. It functions primarily as a cattle dog (boiadeiro) and is valued for its intelligence and working ability. The breed is recognized by several national kennel clubs, including the SOBRACI (Sociedade Brasileira de Cinofilia), the ALKC (America Latina Kennel Clube), and primarily by the Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia (CBKC), which is the principal Brazilian affiliate of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). Three main coat varieties exist: long coat, medium coat, and short coat (which can be smooth, short, or curly). Males stand approximately 53 cm (21 in) at the withers and weigh up to 25 kg (55 lbs).
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Mantiqueira Shepherd
Finding a responsible Mantiqueira Shepherd breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Mantiqueira Shepherd. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Mantiqueira Shepherds appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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