Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonGreek Sheepdog is originated from Greece but Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic is originated from Croatia. Greek Sheepdog may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic. Greek Sheepdog may weigh 23 kg / 51 pounds more than Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic. Both Greek Sheepdog and Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic has same life span. Greek Sheepdog may have less litter size than Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic. Greek Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
undefined
Greece
Croatia
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
43 - 60 cm
16 - 24 inches
Height Female:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
43 - 60 cm
16 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
12 - 27 kg
26 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
12 - 27 kg
26 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 12
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Greek Shepherd, Olympus Dog
Istrian wire-haired or short-haired scenthound
Colors Available:
White with red, black or brown markings
White with orange markings
Coat:
Thick, double-coat, long hair
Short and smooth or medium length and wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
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, 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.

istarski ostrodlaki gonicThe Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic, also referred to as the Istrian wire-haired or short-haired scenthound is a very ancient dog breed. Apparently the dog has been found in paintings that go way back to the early 1700s.

The dog can either have a short, smooth coat or a rough, wiry longer coat. He has always been popular with hunters, used for hunting rabbits and fox.

An interesting fact with this dog is the correlation between the Dalmatian dog and the Istrian short-haired hound. According to veterinary investigations, there are strong likenesses between the two breeds.

The truth is, the origin of the Istrian has been a matter of dispute for some time but in 2003 the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed as hailing from Croatia.

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.

istarski ostrodlaki gonic puppy - descriptionMedium in size, the Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic stands at roughly 43 to 60cm at the withers and weighs roughly 12 to 27kg. The chest of the dog is broad and deep, the skull slightly rounded while the muzzle is strong and rectangular shaped. The nose is dark brown or black.

The ears are floppy and are nearly always in the orange color while the tail is long and is carried low. The coat of the rough haired dog is of medium length. In fact the coat can either be short and smooth or longish and wiry with a woolly undercoat. The color of the coat is white with orange markings.

Temperament:

This breed of dog is sought after for his cheerful personality. He is loyal to his human family and is a social dog, loving to spend time around his family.

He is energetic, confident and strong-willed and this is why, as with most other dogs, he will benefit from training and socialization, as this makes him obedient and responsive to his owner. He is evenly tempered, being gentle and docile.

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.

istarski ostrodlaki gonic dog - characteristicsThe Istrian Wire-haired Scenthound or Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic as he is also referred to is a strong, well built hound which is elegant in appearance.

He has a remarkably striking coat - bright white with orange markings. He has always been an excellent hunting dog, even to this day. This background hunting of his will require that he receives ongoing exercise as well as mental stimulation.

Treat this beautiful dog well - exercise him, groom him, feed him well and love him and you will be rewarded with the loyal and devoted friendship of an amazing dog.

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.

Dental Disease:

istarski ostrodlaki gonic puppies - health problemsThere are people who don’t take dental disease seriously in dogs as they think that it simply affects the teeth, when in fact dental disease can affect the dog’s entire body.

Dental- and gum disease is to be regarded with concern as it can be painful and even life threatening. It affects many dogs, and unfortunately your Istarski is also likely to have problems with his teeth. Tartar build-up and infection of the gums can lead to tooth loss but also damage to the kidneys, heart and joints.

Dogs need to have their teeth attended to regularly and if this is something new to you, speak to your vet and find out about special canine toothpaste and toothbrush and how to use them.

Infections:

Dogs can be susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such as rabies, distemper and parvo, and that is why visits to your vet are so important. These life-threatening diseases for your Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic are preventable through vaccinations.

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.

istarski ostrodlaki gonic dogs - caringTaking care of an Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic dog is much like caring for a child – doing everything you can to keep him healthy and happy, after all, he is a member of your family.

You want to be watching his diet and making sure that it is the best quality there is, full of vitamins and minerals to keep his eyes bright, his nose wet and his tail wagging.

There are excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market today and the best ones ensure excellent nutrition for your dog to keep him in optimal condition through each stage that he goes through. Try to include some home-made food into this kibble such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables and it can be to his benefit to just to include some raw meat from time to time.

Make sure your Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic is well exercised, that you check his teeth and ears to ensure there are no infections and to call the vet immediately you suspect something is wrong. Make sure you have him examined as a puppy and that he gets his necessary injections as there are diseases that can kill your dog.

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. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison