Maltipoo vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

The Maltipoo is a popular dog breed – a cross between the Maltese and Poodle. The dog originates in the United States.

The Maltipoo is a cross breed but it is often referred to as a designer dog because of it being purposely bred. The cute little dog has been created to be a companion dog, suiting allergy sufferers because of him being a low shedder and considered hypoallergenic.

The Maltipoo isn’t officially recognized as a true breed. Some Maltipoo Clubs and Registries have been formed.

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

The small Maltipoo stands at between 20 and 35cm and weighs about 2 to 6kg. There is no breed standard for this dog. The coat is fluffy and is more inclined to be wavy than curly. It can become quite long and most people prefer to have him professionally clipped.

Coat colors vary from white to cream, apricot and brown or it can be a combination of these colors. He has a tail which some people prefer to dock, but if not, the tail is long and curls, sometimes over the back.

Temperament:

Owning a Maltipoo, you’ll quickly discover that this little dog is active, feisty, bright and, fun-loving, and your life is pretty much not going to have a dull moment with him in it.

If you’re a first time dog owner you’ll love the Maltipoo as he is pretty much easy going. He makes an excellent family pet as he is even tempered. Make sure your kids have been taught how to treat him – with respect, gentleness and kindness. Never allow toddlers to climb over any dog – big or small.

The Maltipoo is intelligent too and this means training and socialization will be easy for him. Many people use them as therapy dogs and they definitely seem to have an affinity with older people, bringing joy into their lives with their bright nature.

They are dogs that can adapt to life in the city or the countryside, just so long as they are with their beloved human family. They’re essentially indoor dogs but will gladly venture outdoors if it means ball games on the lawn with the children or a walk outside the confines of his home. This gives him the opportunity to smell new aromas, a physically and mentally stimulating game for him.

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

Your Maltipoo is guaranteed to bring much joy into your home. He is a social dog, loving to spend time with his human family, whether indoors our outdoors. He is an active dog so will look forward to his walk every day.

Treat your little pet with love and good care, after all he has got so much companionship to offer and deserves the best there is to that the 12 to 15 years he has are filled with health and happiness.

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

The Maltipoo is such a bright little dog, brimming with energy, but even so, he can get sick, just like with any other dog.

Dental Problems:

Small dogs are prone to dental problems and gum disease and tartar build up can cause many problems and tooth loss. Any dental infections can lead to infections which can put the entire body in jeopardy.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

This is a degenerative eye disorder that can cause blindness and although there is no cure there are things that the vet can do for your pet.

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

The Maltipoo is such a sweet little dog – you want to be sure that you look after him as well as can be.

Vaccinations:

Always take your pet for regular veterinary check-ups if you suspect he is ill. If you get a Maltipoo puppy you will need to take him to the vet because there are a number of vaccines he will need to prevent him from picking up some life threatening canine diseases. Some of these are parvo and rabies among others.

Also, as your Maltipoo reaches adulthood you will need to decide whether you will have the dog spayed or neutered to prevent puppies.

Grooming:

Groom your Maltipoo to keep the coat in tip top condition. Brush him at least twice a week to keep him free of loose hairs. It’s a nice bonding session for your pet too and it gives you the chance to check for fleas and ticks. Most Maltipoo owners take their pets to professional groomers to have the coat trimmed as then he looks and feels more comfortable in warmer weather.

Be careful about bathing him too often as even the mildest shampoos can irritate his skin and it strips the coat of natural oils. Other grooming needs will require you keeping his nails short and cleaning his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week. Because he has floppy ears, check inside them as they can collect excess wax and debris.

If you are unsure about these kinds of grooming needs, check with your vet or groomer because doing it wrong could cause injury to your pet.

Sleeping Space:

Give your pet a soft, warm, dry bed to sleep in. You can make a soft ‘nest’ on the floor or you can buy a sleeping platform or traditional dog basket.

Diet:

With a Maltipoo, choose a high-quality small breed dog food if you are going to feed him commercially manufactured food. This is to ensure he remains healthy. Try and keep your diet simple for your Maltipoo to avoid stomach problems.

For variety, add in some chopped boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables to his dry kibble. The amount of food you give him will depend on his size and activity levels but you want to avoid feeding him too much so that it leads to obesity. Obesity can bring on a host of dog illnesses.

As opposed to one larger bowl of food, rather feed him two smaller meals which is far healthier for him. Remember to always have a bowl of fresh, cool water standing close by.