The coat of the Portuguese Sheepdog is either long and smooth or with a slight wave. It does not have an undercoat. Colors include yellow-red chestnut, gray, fawn, wolf or black. A few white hairs are permissible but patches of white hairs are not, except for white patches on the chest. The forelimbs are symmetrically covered with long hair. It has a beard, which gives it a mature look. The eyes are round and dark, with a gentle expression. The moderately sized ears usually hang down the sides of the cheeks, but sometimes they are cropped. Cropping is banned in some European countries. For his moderate size, the dog appears rather high on the legs. His feet are particularly adaptable to rough terrain. His legs are strong and his chest is deep. The hair is longer on the head, giving the dog bangs and a banged-up untidy look. It has a wide, sturdy head with a prominent nose, and strong jaws and teeth. The tail is pointed, reaching the dog’s hocks.

The breed standard states that the ideal Cão da Serra de Aires is “exceptionally intelligent and very lively.”, devoted to the flock and the shepherd but wary of strangers and a good night guarding dog.