The Portuguese discovered the Azorean Islands of Santa Maria and São Miguel in 1427. Due to its strategic geographic position, the archipelago was to become an important waypoint on the main routes between Europe, the Orient and America during the following centuries.

By the 16th century, Azores’s first settlers introduced a new agriculture and developed cattle breeding and fishing; it is then that canine species were also brought to the islands.Among such breeds there were the “Alanos” dogs that proved to have a crucial role in dealing with wild cattle.

At the same time, 16th and 17th centuries, major naval battles around Azores were taking place and other people namely Flemish, English or French were also arriving with other breeds of dogs: Mastiff, Bulldogs, etc.

The result of the crossings among all these canine species was São Miguel’s Fila Dog, which has its original name linked to the biggest island in Azores: São Miguel. . In Terceira (another island in Azores) there was a similar dog that is nowadays considered to be extinguished, although recuperation is underway.

Now it is possibly one of the Portuguese dog breeds with greater increase in efective terms. Miguel’s island it is still used for dealing with bovine cattle, and from there comes the nickname of “cão das vacas” (cows’ dog). It is worth watching this dog ability to deal with bovines, biting carefully the animals legs. It is a dog of strong character but of easy learning and obeyance.

In the Portuguese mainland, the dog is also used for dealing with horses and other small ruminants; one needs to have the dog specially trained for such purposes. Nowadays, one assists to São Miguel’s Fila dogs being used in catching wild boars as well as in helping police forces or even in individuals’ security.