Croatian Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison

Croatian Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed ComparisonBullmastiff is originated from United Kingdom but Croatian Sheepdog is originated from Croatia. Bullmastiff may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Croatian Sheepdog. Bullmastiff may weigh 39 kg / 86 pounds more than Croatian Sheepdog. Bullmastiff may live 3 years less than Croatian Sheepdog. Bullmastiff may have more litter size than Croatian Sheepdog. Bullmastiff requires Low Maintenance. But Croatian Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
undefined
United Kingdom
Croatia
Height Male:
61 - 68 cm
24 - 27 inches
40 - 53 cm
15 - 21 inches
Height Female:
59 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
40 - 53 cm
15 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
41 - 59 kg
90 - 131 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
39 - 59 kg
85 - 131 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 6
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Bull Mastiff
Hrvatski Ovkars
Colors Available:
Fawn, Red or Brindle
Black
Coat:
Short and dense
Medium length, wavy or curly
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bullmastiffThe Old English Mastiff as well as the Bulldog are the breeds behind the Bull Mastiff. The Bullmastiff was originally developed in England around the 1860’s. Gamekeepers in England wanted a large, brave, robust dog which could help with keeping poachers away from their large estates which kept game.

As these large estates dwindled, so did the need for the services of the Bullmastiff and later they were simply bred to be family companions. As more Old English Mastiffs were bred, the dog became lighter, so that light tan or fawn became the preferred color.

The breed was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1924, and the American Kennel Club in 1933.

croatian sheepdogKnown also as Hrvatski Ovkars, the black Croatian Sheepdog has been in Croatia since the 7th century already. He was brought to the region by Croats who wanted a strong working dog.

Over the centuries, the dog hasn’t changed much in looks, and in 1935 a breeding program for the dog was developed. A certain Dr. Romic started the program with 3 dogs, and the work he did with the dogs saw that the Croatian Sheepdog got official recognition a few decades later.

In March 1968, the Yugoslav Kennel Club adopted the breed standard, and since then, several kennels recognize the Croatian Sheepdog. The dog is still not known particularly well outside their own county, but in Croatia it is essentially known as a companion dog.

Description

bullmastiff puppy - descriptionBullmastiffs are large, brachycephalic dogs, and heights are between 61 and 68cm and the dog weight anything between 41 – 59kg. While it isn’t particularly tall, the dog is thickly set with a deep chest and strong, muscular legs. The Bull Mastiff has a powerful build and plenty of strength with an imposing look on his face. He is a powerful, active breed with a short coat which is also weather resistant and can be any shade of fawn, red or brindle.

The dog has a black muzzle and the skull is large and square. The ears are set high and are short and floppy. The tail was once docked, giving the dog an even more distinctive, powerful appearance, but these days, due to regulations, the tail is left long.

Temperament

The Bullmastiff is a loyal, devoted, fearless, protective dog. When he belongs to a human family, he becomes a companion but a fierce protector too, being a territorial dog. They love being with their family and can be good with children too, and even other pets, but proper training and socialization will be important. They aren’t aggressive around strangers, though he does make a wonderful guard dog.

He is intelligent and stubborn and if you don’t want him becoming destructive, even though he is a low-energy dog, you will need to exercise him and walk him every day.

croatian sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Croatian Sheepdog is a medium sized, muscular dog which stands roughly 40 – 53cm at the withers and weighs 13 to 20kg. The head is wedge shaped and lean and he has brown to black colored eyes.

The triangular-shaped ears are medium sized and semi-erect or erect. The tail of the dog is often docked, but if not it is set high and is inclined to curl over the back.

The dog is nearly always black although you’ll find a few white hairs on the throat or chest or on the legs and toes. The double coat is of medium length, being wavy or even slightly curly.

Temperament:

The Croatian Sheepdog is an athletic, alert dog and he has high energy levels, loving to be put to work or to be busy with one or other activity. He fits in well as a family pet and gets on well with children and pets in the home, but he is going to need plenty of exercise and games.

This particular dog won’t do well with a family of couch potatoes as he craves lots of activities. He will certainly benefit from training and socialization, and because he is intelligent he learns easily and then he is obedient and ready to please.

He is a dominant, confident dog who thrives on attention from his human family. He isn’t a dog you can just stick in the backyard as he is social and craves activity and attention. He is wary of strangers and makes an excellent watchdog.

Characteristics

bullmastiff dog - characteristicsContrary to his formidable looks, the Bullmastiff is a gentle, affectionate pet when he has been properly socialized. He is a great pet for families and will guard them with his life. He is loyal and devoted but can be somewhat aloof, particularly with strangers.

He isn’t a highly energetic dog and he is more or less low maintenance and easy-going. Feed him correctly, give him a nice, warm sleeping spot to call his own and give him attention like he deserves as a family member. The Bullmastiff will reward you by being a solid and devoted companion.

croatian sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Croatian Sheepdog isn’t a demanding dog, although he will be relying on you to give him plenty of exercise. He wants to please and will fit into life in the city or life in the country, so long as he gets regular exercise.

It doesn’t take much to keep the Croatian Sheepdog happy and content, and when he thrusts his wet nose into your hand and you see his wagging tail, you’ll know its all been worth it to give this pet the best as he gives you his undivided love and loyalty.

Health Problems

bullmastiff puppies - health problemsThe Bullmastiff is a generally healthy breed, but even so, the breed is known for having to contend with certain health issues. He doesn’t have a particularly long life span either and can live to be about 10, ll or 12 years of age. Some of the more common illnesses to look out for include -

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a condition where the thighbone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint. The troublesome part is that it can lead to arthritis, pain and lameness for your pet.

Bloat:

This is a worrisome, life-threatening condition for a dog, particularly for large, deep-chested dogs such as your Bullmastiff. Instead of feeding your Mastiff one large meal, it is recommended to feed him 2 smaller meals. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and twists, restricting the normal return of blood to the heart.

croatian sheepdog puppies - health problemsThe Croatian Sheepdog is a healthy dog breed. He is the kind of pet that won’t cost you a lot of money because he is low maintenance. In fact he is a dog which has developed resistance to many diseases.

With good food, exercise and love and care he won’t cost you much in terms of vet’s fees. He can live to be 12 to 15 years of age.

Even though he is a healthy kind of dog, there are some dog illnesses that you will want to be aware of such as bloat and eye problems. Also if you aren’t going to let him become a parent, then spaying or neutering your Croatian Shepherd will have numerous health benefits for him.

Caring The Pet

Grooming for Health and Happiness

bullmastiff dogs - caringThe Bullmastiff has a short dense coat which is looked upon as low-maintenance. He will require a brushing twice a week, being a light to average shedder. He is a dog that tends to drool quite a bit so you may need to wipe away slobber from time to time. Because his face has wrinkles, check the creases to ensure they remain free of dirt and food particles to ward off infection.

Check his ears at the same time, brush his teeth at least twice a week with special dog-toothpaste and brush and keep the nails trimmed.

Diet:

Your large Bullmastiff will require high-quality commercial dog food but he will also need some home-made food in between such as rice, vegetables and meat. He is a large dog and will have to get an intake of raw meat too. Dogs denied raw meat can end up with skin problems as well as other health issues.It is better to feel your Bullmastiff smaller meals than to give him one large meal which he scoffs down quickly. Smaller meals will help prevent the most dangerous illness known as Bloat.

Ensure he has a steady supply of fresh, cool water.

croatian sheepdog dogs - caringThe Croatian Sheepdog has always been a working dog and is regarded as a hardy, low maintenance dog. He will require minimal grooming so a good brush twice a week will suffice.

Diet:

There are excellent and convenient dog foods on the market which have been specifically manufactured to ensure your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs for health and energy. Stick to the feeding instructions on the label so that he maintains his lean, muscular body.

Raw meat can be expensive, but it will be to his benefit if you can include some raw meat into his kibble every now and then. If you are unsure in any way as to how to feed your dog, your vet can give you good advice on a food that caters for his age and his activity levels. Always make sure that he has a fresh bowl of water available.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Croatian Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Croatian Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Croatian Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Croatian Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Croatian Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Croatian Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Croatian Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Croatian Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Croatian Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Croatian Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Croatian Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Croatian Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Croatian Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Croatian Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Croatian Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Croatian Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Croatian Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Croatian Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Croatian Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Croatian Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Croatian Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Croatian Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Croatian Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Croatian Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Croatian Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Bullmastiff vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Bullmastiff vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Bullmastiff vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Bullmastiff vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bullmastiff vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Bullmastiff vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Bullmastiff vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bullmastiff vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Bullmastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Bullmastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Bullmastiff vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Bullmastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Bullmastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Bullmastiff vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Bullmastiff vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Bullmastiff vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Bullmastiff vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Bullmastiff vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Bullmastiff vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bullmastiff vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Bullmastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Bullmastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Bullmastiff vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Bullmastiff vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison