Mackenzie River Husky vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Mackenzie River Husky vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonMackenzie River Husky is originated from United States but Cao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal. Mackenzie River Husky may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Cao da Serra de Aires. Mackenzie River Husky may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Cao da Serra de Aires. Both Mackenzie River Husky and Cao da Serra de Aires has same life span. Mackenzie River Husky may have more litter size than Cao da Serra de Aires. Both Mackenzie River Husky and Cao da Serra de Aires requires Moderate maintenance.

History

mackenzie river husky - historyThe name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

cao da serra de aires - historyAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Portugal
Height Male:
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
3 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
White, tan, cream, black, blonde and red.
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
Coat:
Medium Length to Long - dense
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

mackenzie river husky puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

Characteristics

mackenzie river husky dog - characteristicsYour MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

Health Problems

mackenzie river husky puppies - health problemsYour MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

mackenzie river husky dogs - caringHuskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  3. Mackenzie River Husky vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  5. Mackenzie River Husky vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  6. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  7. Mackenzie River Husky vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  8. Mackenzie River Husky vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  9. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  10. Mackenzie River Husky vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  11. Mackenzie River Husky vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  12. Mackenzie River Husky vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  13. Mackenzie River Husky vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Mackenzie River Husky vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  15. Mackenzie River Husky vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  16. Mackenzie River Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  17. Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. Mackenzie River Husky vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  19. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Mackenzie River Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  21. Mackenzie River Husky vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  22. Mackenzie River Husky vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  23. Mackenzie River Husky vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  24. Mackenzie River Husky vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Mackenzie River Husky vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  30. Catahoula Cur vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  31. Catalan Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  32. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  33. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  34. Queensland Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  36. Croatian Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  37. Red Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  38. New Zealand Huntaway vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwegian Buhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  40. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  41. Mudi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  42. Schapendoes vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  43. Nenets Herding Laika vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  44. Scotch Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  45. Smithfield vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  47. Spanish Water Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  48. Swedish Lapphund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  49. Swedish Vallhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  50. Thai Bangkaew vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds