Bulgarian Shepherd vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison

Bulgarian Shepherd vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed ComparisonBulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria but Cao de Gado Transmontano is originated from Portugal. Bulgarian Shepherd may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Cao de Gado Transmontano. Bulgarian Shepherd may weigh 8 kg / 17 pounds lesser than Cao de Gado Transmontano. Bulgarian Shepherd may live 45 years more than Cao de Gado Transmontano. Both Bulgarian Shepherd and Cao de Gado Transmontano has almost same litter size. Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance. But Cao de Gado Transmontano requires Low maintenance

History

bulgarian shepherd - historyThe Bulgarian Shepard Dog comes from the ancient line of Molossers of Central Asia and Tibet, and the shepherds of the Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus. Among the oldest and most valued of the working dogs of Europe, the Bulgarian Shepherd breed was created by mixing the Balkan breeds with the dogs from Central Asia by the proto-Bulgarians around the 7th century. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Mixing this breed in with the Balkan and Central Asian mix developed the Bulgarian Shepherd we know today. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. Although the breeds are not the same, most of the dog world does not know the difference.

In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. One Kuche could run up to 1200 animals and hundreds were used by the herdsmen in the mountains of Bulgaria. There were many regional types of Bulgarian Shepherds with very little difference between those types. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Bulgarian Shepherd lives a long life of often over 20 years. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century.

Following World War II, the wolves were close to extinction and property in Bulgaria was nationalized. There was no longer a need for a large force of working dogs. The Communist government exterminated large numbers of sheep dogs including the Bulgarian Shepherd. Only those species on government owned farms and in remote regions survived. When the government farms were disbanded in the early 20th century, these dogs were exterminated as well. Only those in the mountains survived. Commercial breeding of the Bulgarian Shepherd in the end of the century has resulted in controversy as other breeds came into the breeding program.

Use of breeds such as Sarplaninacs, Caucasian Ovcharkas, St. Bernards, Central Asian Ovcharkas and Bosnian Tornjaks in these programs resulted in Bulgarian Shepherd or Karakachans that were a lot different from the original breed. There is therefore some concern about the future of the breed in Bulgaria, yet they received official Bulgarian national recognition in 2000. Today’s Bulgarian Shepherd is a guard dog for both property and livestock.

The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. Only those dogs that meet this standard are considered “true” Karakachans. The Bulgarian Shepherds are willing to fight bears and wolves in defense of its family and flock. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They are recognized by both the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology (BRFC) a member of the FCI.

cao de gado transmontano - historyThe Cão de Gado Transmontano which is also known as the Transmontano Mastiff or Transmontano Cattle Dog is a large dog – in fact a giant dog breed. This is a rare molosser working dog, hailing from the region of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province in Portugal.

The large dog has always been used to herd livestock and to also ward off wolves. It is believed that the dog’s roots come from the Tibetan Mastiff as well as a Portuguese cattle dog known as the Rafeiro do Alentejo. The dog also shares some similarities with the short-haired Estrela Mountain Dog.

In 1995 the breed was still exclusive to Portugal, but now the breed has been imported to Oregon, USA to be part of an experiment to document bigger breeds and their role in protecting livestock from wolves. They were re-introduced to north-east Oregon from 2008.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
Bulgaria
Portugal
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
73 - 83 cm
28 - 33 inches
Height Female:
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
55 - 65 kg
121 - 144 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
45 - 62 kg
99 - 137 pounds
Life Span:
45 - 57 Years
9 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Transmontano Mastiff or Transmontano Cattle Dog
Colors Available:
BlackWhiteTricolor
White with large patches of brown, fawn, grey, brindle and black shades
Coat:
Single
Short to medium length
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

bulgarian shepherd puppy - descriptionA massive, powerful and muscular Molosser, the Bulgarian Shepherd is strong, agile, powerful and fast. They are intelligent and reliable. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. Their skull is massive and broad with a furrowed forehead. The muzzle is massive as well while the nose has wide nostrils and is fairly large. It has close fitting, thick lips with strong, scissor bite jaws. The Bulgarian Shepherd’s eyes are deep, oblique and small. They are either hazel or dark. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression.

Their ears are low set, small and v-shaped. They sit close to the head which sits on a powerful but short neck. They have a broad back, well-muscled body with a deep chest and long, rough tail. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. There are two types of coats – longhaired and shorthaired with no undercoats.

cao de gado transmontano puppy - descriptionThe Cão de Gado Transmontano is a large dog, believed to be the biggest of the Portuguese dog breeds. He is powerful and muscular with a large head and can stand up to 83cm in height and can weigh up to 65kg.

He is tough, and is quite comfortable living outside. He is a long-legged dog with a wide chest with medium length floppy ears and a long tail. The coat is fairly short although it can be in a variety of lengths. It is the medium length coated dog with the right coloring that is looked upon as a pure breed. The dog is white with large patches of brown, fawn, grey, brindle and black shades.

Temperament:

The Transmontano Mastiff is an intelligent, obedient dog who is also independent and stubborn. As with all dogs, it is important to have him trained and socialized as this makes him obedient and eager to please. He loves to be patted by his owners and is a dog which is easy to train, responding well to firmness and fairness.

He is calm and somewhat docile but at the same time he is energetic and alert, making him a good watchdog. He won’t do well cooped up in a tiny space. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home.

Characteristics

bulgarian shepherd dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog, intelligent and independent guard dog. Reserved around strangers but loyal and devoted with his family. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. He is quite capable of making her own independent decisions. These are very intense guard dogs that will respond aggressively if they think their people are being attacked.

cao de gado transmontano dog - characteristicsThe Cão de Gado Transmontano may look like a fairly formidable dog but they aren’t aggressive. They are full of courage and are above all, loving and loyal to their human family.

When you choose to have one of these large dogs as your pet, it is important to make sure he knows that you’re the leader. With training and socialization this dog is a gentle giant who makes an exceptional family pet.

Health Problems

bulgarian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe breed itself is known to be healthy but they do face some of the usual health issues of the massive, giant breeds. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. All of these conditions require medical intervention, but bloat and osteosarcoma are the deadliest. Bloat needs immediate attention and osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer.

cao de gado transmontano puppies - health problemsThe Cão de Gado Transmontano is a tough dog, used to spending long hours outside guarding sheep. These days however, he is also a companion dog and you’ll want to be aware of some common dog ailments that can strip him of his health and his joy of life.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a looseness with the hip joint, and while it can occur with all dogs, it is more common in large dogs. It’s a disease which can lead to arthritis, pain and also joint degeneration. It’s a disease which can be debilitating for the dog and you will need to get your dog to the vet.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This is a heart disease seen in large breed dogs and where the heart becomes weak and can’t properly pump blood throughout the body. Symptoms include coughing, weakness, difficulty with breathing as well as a fluid-distended abdomen.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

bulgarian shepherd dogs - caringThese are large dogs with large appetites, but you want to keep them lean and active. Feed them at least twice a day with a high quality large or giant dog dry food. Four to five cups of food per day is the maximum.

Health issues

Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.

Bloat - distended or twisted stomach. Can cause death.

Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.

Entropion – eye issues when the eyelid turns inward and damages the eye.

Hip Dysplasia – May cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

The Bulgarian Shepherd needs a good amount of exercise every day. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. Long walks every day are essential for his well-being.

Diet:

cao de gado transmontano dogs - caringJust because this is a large dog, doesn’t mean you need to over-feed him. He is muscular and athletic, and by watching his diet, he’ll continue to be strong, lean and healthy. You can feed him a top quality pet-food brand and include boiled chicken, rice and vegetables. Every now and then mix in some raw meat with his dog food to ensure that his skin remains free of rashes and itchiness. Fresh, cool water must be available to him day and night as he drinks abundantly.

Grooming:

Some dog breeds need to be trimmed or stripped to look good, and dog owners often invest in expensive equipment to groom their pets themselves, Fortunately the large Cão de Gado Transmontano is a low maintenance dog and all you’ll need to do is give him a good brush-down twice a week.

Check his eyes, ears, teeth and nails regularly. Remember that dental hygiene is imperative and special canine toothbrush and toothpaste is available to brush your dog’s teeth 2 or 3x a week to get rid of plaque and to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Presa Canario vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Labrador Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Argentine Dogo vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Giant Schnauzer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Goldador vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Dogo Cubano vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Dogo Sardesco vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Central Asian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. German Longhaired Pointer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  13. Pyredoodle vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  14. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Lurcher vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Sarplaninac vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Mountain View Cur vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  20. Central Anatolian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Native American Indian Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Greenland Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Komondor vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Bulgarian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  26. English Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  27. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  28. Gaddi Kutta vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  29. Nebolish Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  30. Cao de Gado Transmontano vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Cao de Gado Transmontano vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  32. Broholmer vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  33. Great Dane vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  34. Newfoundland Dog vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  35. Leonberger vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Wolfhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  37. Francais Blanc et Orange vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  38. Mountain Burmese vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  39. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  40. Moscow Watchdog vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  41. Scottish Deerhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  42. Shiloh Shepherd vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  44. Spanish Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  45. St. Bernard vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  46. Kars Dog vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds