Spitz vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison

Spitz vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed ComparisonCao de Gado Transmontano is originated from Portugal but Spitz is originated from Russia. Cao de Gado Transmontano may grow 13 cm / 6 inches higher than Spitz. Cao de Gado Transmontano may weigh 25 kg / 56 pounds more than Spitz. Cao de Gado Transmontano may live 4 years less than Spitz. Cao de Gado Transmontano may have less litter size than Spitz. Cao de Gado Transmontano requires Low Maintenance. But Spitz requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Miscellaneous dogs
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Portugal
Russia
Height Male:
73 - 83 cm
28 - 33 inches
21 - 70 cm
8 - 28 inches
Height Female:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
20 - 65 cm
7 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
55 - 65 kg
121 - 144 pounds
2 - 40 kg
4 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 62 kg
99 - 137 pounds
2 - 37 kg
4 - 82 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 12 Years
7 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
4 - 19
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
Transmontano Mastiff or Transmontano Cattle Dog
numeroud breeds
Colors Available:
White with large patches of brown, fawn, grey, brindle and black shades
all
Coat:
Short to medium length
double coated undercoat is coarser
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Cheerful, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

cao de gado transmontanoThe 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.

spitzA spitz is not a breed of dog, but rather a “group or family” of dogs that has its roots in Germany. Within this family there are a variety of breeds that were bred for very specific purposes by people in many different parts of the world. The spitz family can be toy dog size up to vey large. Examples run from the Pomeranian to the Canadian Eskimo Dog.

The Spitz family dogs share the look of thick, long fur and pointed muzzles, ears and curly tail. Despite their German name, they are thought to originally be of East Asia or Artic descent. Most of today’s spitz are from Siberia’s Artic region, first described in 1788 and in English in 1792. Spitz have been bred for three types of jobs depending upon where they were developed. These jobs included pulling, herding and hunting.

There are very powerful and large Spitz breeds that pull or hunt large game. Examples of these breeds are the Swedish Elkhound, the Akita Inu, the Norwegian Elkhound and the Karelian Bear Dog. The smaller sized breeds like the Samoyed hunted small mammals and birds, while the Finnish Lapphund, Lapponian Herder, and Swedish Lapphund herded, hunted and pulled small sleds.

The three largest spitz also pulled sleds throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. In most places the Canadian Eskimo Dog, the Alakan Malamute and the Greenland dog were used in sled racing and fur trapping while in Canada and Alaska the Siberian Husky was used for the same things.

Recently there have been genetic tests that show a large number of dogs that are considered Spitz type so share many strong ancestral ties and DNA similarities with wild wolves. It is now believed that a lot of these breeds were intentionally mated with wolves and some were accidental. Both domestic and wild dogs are included in this history.

Most spitz are made for cold weather, even today’s lapdogs, like the Pomeranian, do not do well in hot climates.

Description

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.

spitz puppy - descriptionMost of the spitz breeds share a “look” that includes erect ears, stocky heavy, usually double coats, a pointed muzzle, thick, fluffy ruffs and a heavy curled tail carried high over the body. Build for northern climates they are insulated by a undercoat that is waterproof and dense and a less dense topcoat. Their ears are small to prevent frostbite and their paws have thick fur to protect them in the frigid, icy terrain.

Many still have wolf-like looks and tendencies. Some are very difficult to train to be companions – the Akita, Chow and especially the Karelian Bear Dog – fall into this category. Many mixed breed dogs are also considered members of the Spitz family. These dogs are easy to recognize as spitz because of these physical characteristics

Characteristics

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.

Characteristics

spitz dog - characteristics1.Children friendliness excellent with almost all the breeds. Be careful of size. Smaller breeds may not be as friendly and larger may knock down small children.

2.Special talents stamina

3.Adaptability excellent

4.Learning ability excellent

Health Problems

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.

spitz puppies - health problemsIt is a little harder to characterize the health issues of a family of dogs than it is a .will overheat in hot climates due to their double coats. Here are some propensities of dogs in the Spitz family.

  • Haemolytic anemia – heritary anemia can be mild to life threatening.

• Thrombopathia bleeding disorder with the risk of a hemorrhage, platets don’t clot.

  • Epilepsy – medication can manage this well.
  • Cancers for different types.

• Larger breeds are affected by Elbow and Hip dysplasia that can cause arthritis and lameness.

Caring The Pet

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.

spitz dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy The Spitz family has high energy needs but in a slow-release so they need protein more than grain. Puppies should be fed 3-4x a day in small meals. Don’t overfeed them.

2.Feeding the adult – The Spitz type dog stores their energy to use in extended periods when working or playing. They will become obese if overfed or if they don’t get enough exercise. Feed 2-3X a day in small or medium sized meals, even the larger breeds because of their storage of calories.

3.Points for Good Health endurance and stamina

4. Games and Exercises – Having been bred for endurance and stamina most Spritz breed need plenty of exercise, lots of space and lots of play. They love to run, jog, or play games. They are outdoors types who love to hike, and run or walk for long times over long distances. They are great in cold, wet weather but not so good in the heat. How much exercise they need depends on the size and history of the specific breeds. Most love to play with other dogs, so dog parks and dog day care can both be good choices for most of them. Agility, barnhunt, field trials, pulling games are all good choices.

Comparison with other breeds

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