By Alexandra Dittmann, Dog Trainer and Dog Training Consultant
Dog Scams in Portugal: A word of caution from a dog trainer and Estrela Mountain Dog owner:
CAREFUL when adopting a dog in Portugal - rescue organizations as well as owners who want rid of their dog are very good at telling people what they want to hear (like, in this example, "it's a Labrador"), and not what could get them into trouble (like, what that dog probably really is: An Estrela or Rafeiro cross with the propensity to bark a lot - day and night -, escape from the property via jumping over or digging under fences, go after bicycles, motorbikes, people walking past the property, as well as other dogs outside of the home etc.
Grossly misleading and setting those poor dogs up to fail miserably. Flock guardian breeds are not "normal" dogs who'll fit well into a family - they are diametrically opposed to a standard Labrador Retriever in temperament, drives, and trainability. Not easy dogs to raise, train, and manage.
If you'd like to adopt - fantastic, but please insist on an embark DNA test made on the dog you'd like to welcome in your life, to ensure that dog is the perfect fit for you. Such an embark test also, quite importantly, gives you detailed information about the dog's state of health, and of any underlying genetic issues the dog might have.
Sure, there's always a sad, sad tale getting told when someone tries to rehome a dog - but PLEASE don't fall for the narrative; question it, and preferably, ask a certified force-free canine behaviorist or trainer to perform a temperament test with any dog you are intersted in adopting.
