Spanish Mastiff vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Spanish Mastiff vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonGreek Sheepdog is originated from Greece but Spanish Mastiff is originated from Spain. Greek Sheepdog may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than Spanish Mastiff. Greek Sheepdog may weigh 50 kg / 110 pounds lesser than Spanish Mastiff. Both Greek Sheepdog and Spanish Mastiff has same life span. Greek Sheepdog may have less litter size than Spanish Mastiff. Greek Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Spanish Mastiff requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
Greece
Spain
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
72 - 88 cm
28 - 35 inches
Height Female:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
72 - 88 cm
28 - 35 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
52 - 100 kg
114 - 221 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
52 - 100 kg
114 - 221 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 10
Size:
Large
Giant
Other Names:
Greek Shepherd, Olympus Dog
Mastín Español
Colors Available:
White with red, black or brown markings
brindle., Fawn, grey, reddish and yellow, black
Coat:
Thick, double-coat, long hair
Shortish and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

greek sheepdogKnown as the Olympus Dog or even simply as the Greek Shepherd, the Greek Sheepdog is a large to giant molosser dog from Greece. His purpose has always been to guard flocks and livestock from predators and he has been around for hundreds of years, looking much like the Great Pyrenees.

It is believed that the dog was likely bred with a number of breeds – both local and non-local dogs.

Unfortunately there were no records kept of the development of the breed but today the Greek Sheepdog remains a rare and fairly unknown breed outside of Greece.

It's numbers are dwindling in Greece too and since 1998 the Greek ARCTUROS has made attempts to save the breed, starting the Greek Shepherd Dog Breeding Program.

spanish mastiffThe Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed that comes from Spain. He has always been a guardian dog.

He is an ancient dog breed, in fact dating back to medieval times. He has always been a guardian of livestock, protecting them from attacks from wolves and other predators.

The first breed standard of this pure breed dog was made by the FCI in 1946. A breeding program was also formed for this dog In 1981.

The dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in July 2006.

Description

greek sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Greek Sheepdog is a large dog, standing at 65 – 75cm and weighing roughly between 32 to 50kg. He is a dog that displays physical strength. He has a large head with brown eyes and a serious expression on his face. He has a thick double coat which is essentially white with red, black or brown markings.

You will also see tri-color dogs. He has floppy ears today but there was a time when the right ear of the male dog was cut off or cropped. The tail is long and bushy and it can be held low but also held up so that it curls over the back.

Temperament:

Maybe because of his size and him being a strong-willed, independent thinker, the Greek Shepherd may not be the best choice for a first time dog owner. Having said that, if you're a strong, firm, patient, kind person, then you'll be able to raise any kind of dog, first time or not.

The Greek Shepherd is a brave, loyal, calm, protective dog and with socialization and training, can make an awesome pet. They are dogs who are a bit suspicious with strangers, not making friends too easily. He loves his human family and wants to be part of their activities. He can't be left on his own day after day as this can lead to excessive barking and destructive behavior.

They've been dogs used to working with livestock and they will certainly need to be taken on daily walks and involved in rough and tumble games as they thrive on activity. The dog won't fit easily into city life where there is just a handkerchief-sized garden as he needs space and activity.

spanish mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Spanish Mastiff weighs between 52 and 100kg and the dog’s height is between 72 and 88cm. He has a thick, heavy coat with rustic colors of fawn, black, grey, reddish and yellow as well as brindle.

He is powerful and muscular with a huge head. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is long. If you were looking for a puppy, the American Kennel Club is the only site which has 100% puppies from AKC-Registered litters.

Temperament:

Large, kind, gentle and intelligent, the Spanish Mastiff is well balanced. When you see him you won’t find a dog that is light on his feet and who jumps around excitedly. He is a dignified, intelligent dog, quiet and calm.

Even though he is so calm, it is still a good idea to have him trained and socialized as his very size could be a problem. When you tell him to lie down, you want him to listen to you. This big, gentle giant is devoted to his human family ad takes the role of guardian and protector seriously.

He isn’t suited to life in the city but is better suited to a large property, also because he has a loud bark.

Characteristics

greek sheepdog dog - characteristicsYour Greek Shepherd is an intelligent, independent dog who likes to show his loyalty and devotion to his owner.

He is a protective dog too and when trained and socialized makes an excellent family pet. These Molosser type dogs are formidable dogs known for their bravery and courage.

They're the type of dogs who like a strong leader-type of owner and when he gets someone who he can look up to as his leader, he becomes a loyal, devoted pet.

spanish mastiff dog - characteristicsKind, gentle, quietly confident and intelligent are just some of the wonderful characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff.

You can add loyalty and devotion to these characteristics too and the fact that he wants to protect you.

Your gentle giant is guaranteed to make you the most wonderful companion and he deserves the very best treatment there is.

Health Problems

greek sheepdog puppies - health problemsWith good care and lots of love, this dog can live to be between 10 to 12 years of age. He is unlikely to get sick very often, but still it it wise to know of some of the health issues than can occur with large breed dogs like this.

Some diseases to look out for include -

Dilated cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle. The heart is enlarged and unable to have the right heart rhythm. The distended muscle isn't able to push the blood through the heart chambers to where it is needed. Cause for this dilated heart can be genetic, nutritional, infectious or metabolic.

Because taurine and carnitine are involved in good heart function, and low levels of these amino acids can cause symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy, supplementation is useful, especially if you feel your dog isn't getting in the right kind of food.

Lyme Disease:

Borreliosis, a bacterial infection, causes Lyme disease, transmitted by the Ixodes tick. The tick bites the dog and the toxins gets into the dog's bloodstream, with the bacteria travelling to different parts of the body.

Typical symptoms in a dog includes loss of appetite, fever, no energy, swelling of joints and lameness, but symptoms can progress to kidney failure too or cardiac problems. Treatment will include antibiotics.

spanish mastiff puppies - health problemsIt is good to be wise about some of the common dog problems there are that could plague your Spanish Mastiff. Vets are very familiar with these dog illnesses and they tailor their treatment to suit the needs of your dog.

Remember to get your pet vaccinated against the terrible diseases you get that can kill a dog – rabies, parvo and distemper.

Obesity:

People often think that obesity is something that isn’t dangerous, when in fact it is a serious disease that can cause joint problems, digestive disorders, heart disease, back pain and hip dysplasia.

Dehydration:

Dogs rely on water just like what humans do to keep them healthy and functioning properly.

Water is critically important to every organ and also assists with digestion. Your dog is panting and urinating throughout the day and needs to replace the liquid he loses.

Dehydration in dogs results in loss of electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride, and potassium.This is bad as these minerals have important functions.

A dog that is dehydrated has loss of appetite, loss of skin elasticity, is lethargic, has sunken eyes, wants to vomit, has a dry nose and thick saliva. No dog should ever be left without a constant supply of fresh, cool water day and night.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

greek sheepdog dogs - caringThe coat of the Greek Shepherd is fairly long so it will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from matting and tangling. He is an average shedder and the brushing will remove all loose hairs, keeping the coat sleek and shiny.

Diet:

Feeding your Greek Sheepdog requires giving him top quality food as this will ensure he is healthy and can ward off common dog illnesses. If you're going to be feeding him kibble, make sure to go for the top quality brands, and as a treat for your pet you can add in some brown rice, pasta, brown bread, cooked chicken and vegetables.

Dogs are essentially carnivores and he will need to have some raw meat such as beef added into his kibble from time to time. He should never ever be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Diet:

spanish mastiff dogs - caringThese are giant breed dogs, so you have to be careful with the way you feed them. Large dogs like these are prone to hip dysplasia so you need to choose a food which has ingredients that work to prevent this disease.

You have to be very careful that you don’t overfeed your dog so that the extra weight puts strain on the joints.

This dog will do well with some raw meat added into his diet. Also, include home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach chopped up and added to his dry kibble for giant breeds. Added in twice a week can do him the world of good.

Remember to never leave your dog without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

A good bush of the thick coat twice a week will keep the Spanish Mastiff looking his best.

The nails will also need to be trimmed regularly to avoid overgrowth and to avoid the nails catching onto things. The ears too should be checked regularly to avoid dampness inside the ear which can cause bacteria.

Exercise:

As a fully grown adult, the Spanish Mastiff isn’t a frisky, frolicking dog but he will still require daily exercise. Options for exercise include long walks, hikes, swimming and ball games.

Comparison with other breeds

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