Peruvian Hairless vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Peruvian Hairless vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed ComparisonPeruvian Hairless is originated from Peru but Bulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria. Peruvian Hairless may grow 25 cm / 9 inches shorter than Bulgarian Shepherd. Peruvian Hairless may weigh 32 kg / 70 pounds lesser than Bulgarian Shepherd. Peruvian Hairless may live 45 years less than Bulgarian Shepherd. Peruvian Hairless may have less litter size than Bulgarian Shepherd. Both Peruvian Hairless and Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

peruvian hairless - historyThis is an ancient breed, and he even looks like he comes from ancient times. This particular dog, the Peruvian Hairless, was part of the Inca Empire and it is amazing that depictions of Peruvian hairless dogs have been seen around around 750 A.D.

It is believed the dogs were a meal for many in those ancient times, and that together with the Spanish conquest of Peru resulted in the dog almost being wiped out.

Today the dog is held in esteem in Peru and it is looked upon as the national dog of Peru – an accolade this dog received in 2001. The Federation Cynologique Internationale has accepted this breed and also adopted an official breed standard.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Peru
Bulgaria
Height Male:
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
45 - 57 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
5 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Peruvian Inca Orchid, Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Colors Available:
grey, mottled, Dark brown
BlackWhiteTricolor
Coat:
Hairless except for some hair on the head
Single
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

peruvian hairless puppy - descriptionThere is no doubt that the most important feature of this dog is its hairlessness, but there is nearly always a little bit of hair on top of its head and on the tip of the tail.

The color of the dog’s skin can be dark brown, mottled or a grey shade. They can be a solid color or grey or brown but with pink spots. The eyes of the dog are brown and the ears can be floppy or erect and the tail is long.

He stands at anything between 25 to 50cm, depending on whether he is a small or medium sized Peruvian. Weights can vary too but can be 4kg for the smaller type, going up to 25 kg for the larger dogs. The dogs are always slim.

Temperament:

Peruvian Hairless dogs love their human families, being somewhat wary around strangers. They are lively, intelligent, alert and protective.

Lean and agile, they can be quick too. Just like with any other dogs, he will require training and socialization if you want him to be obedient and well behaved. He gets on well with other pets in the house and will get on well with disciplined children. This is a quiet dog but even so, he makes a good guard dog.

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.

Characteristics

peruvian hairless dog - characteristicsFrom ancient times, the Peruvian Hairless has been man’s best friend, and June 12th is the official day of the Peruvian Hairless Dog. These dogs love being surrounded by their human family. They are cheerful, playful, social dogs and they make great playmates for children when the children don’t rough play too much so as to injure him.

He is also a good watchdog and when he isn’t protecting you or playing he can be calm and quiet, and slot easily into life in the countryside or the city. Treat him well and you'll enjoy excellent friendship from this hairless canine friend.

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.

Health Problems

peruvian hairless puppies - health problemsLike all breeds there will be some health problems with your Peruvian Hairless, although with good care care this dog can live to be 12 years of age or maybe even a little older. Some things to look out for include -

Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

You may notice your dog not eating his food, having an upset stomach and vomiting. Irritable bowel syndrome in a dog is a persistent upset stomach, resulting in diarrhea and bloating. IBS isn’t reserved for older dogs, and it can affect any breed or sex. You’ll notice your pet being listless and without energy. In severe cases of IBS, you may notice blood in your pet’s feces. Don’t allow your canine friend to suffer – get him to the vet.

Seizures:

Also known as epilepsy, it can be disturbing for you to see your canine friend having a seizure. Uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in your dog’s brain cause these seizures which are a mix of twitching and shaking. The seizure can last for less than a minute or for several minutes. A number of things can cause these seizures in dogs – head injuries, anemia, kidney disease, liver disease, electrolyte problems, brain cancer among others.

Skin Problems:

Many dogs suffer with one or other skin problems and these can be painful and frustrating. Hairless breeds are more likely to suffer with skin issues and they require special grooming and skin care to prevent dryness, insect bites, sunburn etc.

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.

Caring The Pet

peruvian hairless dogs - caringFor some, the lack of hair is appealing to some people who battle with allergies. The skin of the dog will need to be washed to remove dirt. You’ve got to be careful however, what you wash your dog with because these dogs are known to get blackheads and acne because of blocked pores.

Then again, the skin can become quite dry, so you need to strike a balance. Talk to a dog expert or your vet on how to care for such a dog’s skin.

You’ll also need to consider your dog when he goes outside into the sun. Protection against sunlight is recommended and once again you might want to find out about sun blocks. Because of the lack of hair, he may also be sensitive to the cold.

Make sure this unusual pet gets the right diet. You want to be sure that whether you feed him commercially manufactured foods or he gets some home-made food it is full of vitamins and minerals. Steer away from spicy, unusual foods as dogs love simplicity and consistency.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sapsali vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  2. Peruvian Hairless vs Other - Breed Comparison
  3. Peruvian Hairless vs Olde English Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  4. Peruvian Hairless vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison
  5. Peruvian Hairless vs Indian Pariah Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Peruvian Hairless vs Dingo - Breed Comparison
  7. Peruvian Hairless vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  8. Peruvian Hairless vs Lottatore Brindisino - Breed Comparison
  9. Peruvian Hairless vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Peruvian Hairless vs Mountain Feist - Breed Comparison
  11. Peruvian Hairless vs Jonangi - Breed Comparison
  12. Peruvian Hairless vs Kuri - Breed Comparison
  13. Peruvian Hairless vs Perro de Presa Mallorquin - Breed Comparison
  14. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  15. Spitz vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  16. Pomsky vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  17. Sakhalin Husky vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  18. Schnauzer vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  19. Puggle vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  20. Schnoodle vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  21. Pharaoh Hound vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  22. Redbone Coonhound vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  23. Portuguese Water Dog vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  24. Puli vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  25. Santal Hound vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Argentine Dogo vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Giant Schnauzer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Goldador vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Dogo Cubano vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Dogo Sardesco vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Central Asian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. German Longhaired Pointer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Pyredoodle vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Lurcher vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Sarplaninac vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Mountain View Cur vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Central Anatolian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Native American Indian Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Greenland Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Komondor vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Bulgarian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds