Kuvasz vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Kuvasz vs Alopekis - Breed ComparisonKuvasz is originated from Hungary but Alopekis is originated from Greece. Kuvasz may grow 44 cm / 18 inches higher than Alopekis. Kuvasz may weigh 22 kg / 49 pounds more than Alopekis. Kuvasz may live 4 years less than Alopekis. Kuvasz may have more litter size than Alopekis. Both Kuvasz and Alopekis requires Moderate maintenance.

History

kuvasz - historyThe Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

alopekis - historyThe courageous Alopekis is said to have run with and fought with bulls. To this day they escort bulls in Greece. They were used by the Greeks to contain the vermin populations, guard the chickens and ducks, and assist larger dogs in working with sheep. At one time it was thought that they originated from breeding of dogs and foxes, but this proved not to be true. It was also once considered to be the same breed as the Small Greek Domestic Dog, but it has since been declared its own breed.

The Alopekis is not a recognized breed with any of the current national or international dog organizations. The Kennel Club of Greece will recognize them once their population is large enough. They cannot be recognized by the AKC, IKC, or International groups until they are a much larger group.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Miscellaneous dogs
Origin:
Hungary
Greece
Height Male:
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
25 - 32 cm
9 - 13 inches
Height Female:
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
4 - 8 cm
1 - 4 inches
Weight Male:
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Hungarian Kuvasz
Venetia, Bouboudi, Alopecis, Moropa, Alepouditsa, Nickname - Bobis
Colors Available:
White
All colors and all combinations with the exception of the albino white. Mostly pure black, white or brown with white and brown, black and white, brown with tan, white with brown or black.
Coat:
Medium length to long, wavy or straight
Shorthaired and wirehaired but the wirehaired is extremely rare. This dog is double coated with the outer coat being smooth and hard and the undercoat being dense and soft.
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Social
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

kuvasz puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

alopekis puppy - descriptionThe Alopekis is a small, fox-like dog with pricked ears on a head that is wedge shaped. They have large eyes, a deep and tapered muzzle with a broad nose. They are short but have long backs and a deep, wide chest with strong legs and feet. They have a beautiful tail that cures upward and a double coat.

Characteristics

kuvasz dog - characteristicsKuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

alopekis dog - characteristicsChildren – fine once socialized

Special Talents - These are herding, watch dog, loyal and brave dogs.

Adaptability – They are very adaptable and highly intelligent.

Learning Ability – Alopekis are highly intelligent and very trainable.

Health Problems

kuvasz puppies - health problemsThe large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

alopekis puppies - health problemsThe Alopekis is an endangered species of canine due to a variety of factors. Traditionally this has been a healthy gene pool and the breed has been an example of the evolution of small canines. Factors such as farm pesticides, urbanization and cross breeding have affected the breed’s future.

This is made worse by the fact that the female Alopekis only breeds once a year, the litters are small, and the puppy mortality is high. In addition, the dogs are regularly neutered as part of a program to control strays, despite their status as an endangered species.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

kuvasz dogs - caringThe coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

Feeding the Puppy

alopekis dogs - caringThis is a high energy dog and the puppies need to be fed a high-quality puppy food. Feed about 1/3 of a cup twice a day.

Feeding the Adult

Feed high- quality dry dog food and dog treats to this active dog. Feed about ¼ of a cup twice a day – more if below average weight and less if overweight.

Points for Good Health

Keep them active and away from pesticides if possible.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active dog that needs a lot of exercise, games and if possible – a job.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain View Cur vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  10. Native American Indian Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  11. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  13. Mucuchies vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  14. Shepherd Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  15. Slovak Cuvac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  16. Southern Hound vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  17. Taigan vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  18. St. John's Water Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  19. Tornjak vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  20. Kuvasz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  21. Kuvasz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Kuvasz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  23. Kuvasz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  24. Kuvasz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Kuvasz vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  26. Brug vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  27. Shorkie vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  28. Pomeranian vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltese vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  30. Pug vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  31. Boston Terrier vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  32. Maltipoo vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  33. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  34. Bichon Frise vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  35. Dachshund vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  36. Jack Russell Terrier vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  37. Cockapoo vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  38. Cavapoo vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  39. Corgi vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Schnauzer vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  41. Cavachon vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  42. Mal-Shi vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  43. American Eskimo Dog vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  44. Papillon vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  46. Japanese Chin vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature English Bulldog vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Dachshund vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  49. Alaskan Klee Kai vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  50. Lhasa Apso vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds