Spanish Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Billy is originated from France but Spanish Mastiff is originated from Spain. Billy may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Spanish Mastiff. Billy may weigh 68 kg / 149 pounds lesser than Spanish Mastiff. Billy may live 3 years more than Spanish Mastiff. Billy may have less litter size than Spanish Mastiff. Billy requires Moderate Maintenance. But Spanish Mastiff requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
undefined
France
Spain
Height Male:
58 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
72 - 88 cm
28 - 35 inches
Height Female:
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
72 - 88 cm
28 - 35 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
52 - 100 kg
114 - 221 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 29 kg
44 - 64 pounds
52 - 100 kg
114 - 221 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 10
Size:
Giant
Giant
Other Names:
Chien de France-Comte
Mastín Español
Colors Available:
White or off-white; may have orange or lemon patches or mantle.
brindle., Fawn, grey, reddish and yellow, black
Coat:
harsh, short
Shortish and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Stubborn
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:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

The Billy (or Billie) Dog is a rare breed developed in France and mostly still only found in France. Created in the 19th century by Monsieur Gaston Hublot de Rivault and named after his home, Chateau de Billy, he is hunting dog of high quality. The Billy dog was developed by crossing the Poitevin’s original three lines – the Larrye, the Ceris and the Montemboeuf. In developing the Billy, Rivault favored the colors found in the Ceris and Montemboeuf strains as opposed to the tricolors of the Larrye strain. The Billy is a scent hound from all the lines leading back to the monks of the Saint Hubert Monastery in the middle ages, in Belgium, then refined in Gaul (France). The Billy line was considered the most elegant French breed and they were the last breed to come from that large scent hound type that the French nobility and royalty loved to breed.

In 1886 the Federation Cynoloquique Internationale established the standard for the Billy breed. The breed was a great hunter with resilience, speed, scenting and fortitude. The Billy hunted in large packs in pursuit of Wild Boar and Roe Deer. This was accomplished by the crossing of great hunters developed for their specific skills. The Ceris was amazing in its skill to hunt down wolves and hares. The Montemboeuf was a large, elegant dog that hunted wild boar and Larrye for his strong scent ability. Since these three breeds were true French breeds, the Billy was a true aristocratic scent hound in a pure scent hound line.

This gregarious, handsome dog became extremely popular in France in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the World Wars of the 20th century would take their toll on this rare breed and they were almost extinct by the late 1900’. There were only two hounds left by the end of the Second World War. Anthony Rivault, the son of Gaston, set about saving the breed by incorporating the lines of Harrier, the Poilevin and the Porcelaine with the two remaining hounds. From there the breed has been revived and is no longer on the verge of extinction. They are still rare and certainly not “popular”, but they are excellent hunters, especially hunting in packs. Today they are considered one of the breeds used to develop the Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange in France and there are several packs that hunt roe deer in France, while a couple packs are used to hunt wild boar.

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

The Billy dog is powerful, beautiful and built extremely well. He is large but he should also be light weight and lean. He has an athletic look, powerful muscles, and strong bones. He has floppy ears, dark eyes with dark rims and a white coat. This breed has a medium size head with a domed forehead and square muzzle. The ears are high on the head, flat and floppy while the neck is long and strong. Shoulders are also long and the back broad, the thighs muscular and the feet round. He has a long fluffy tail. The coat is short and can be seen through to the skin. He has white skin with brown spots and the fur is white or off white. The females are smaller than the males. He is a great family companion as well as a hunter. They have high pitched voices and they can be howlers. They have a strong prey drive and are great hunters. They can be great companion dogs for any family, just watch them with small children and small animals. They are big enough to need a lot of space and a lot of exercise. Scent hounds can be stubborn, and that trait is not lost on the Billy dog.

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

Even though the Billy Breed is very rare and faced potential extinction it is a terrific sporting dog who loves children, other dogs, and adults. He could be a good family dog if his exercise needs are met. He is social, gregarious, and gentle with people. They are happiest in a pack and do not do well in a one dog household. They form extremely strong bonds with their people and household. They are friendly and outgoing. This makes them a poor choice for guard dog. They have an exceptionally well-developed prey drive do they might be aggressive toward any animal smaller than them. This includes the family cat, other smaller dogs, hamsters etc.

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

Despite their history of almost becoming extinct the Billy dog is a hearty and healthy group. They do tend to get Bronchitis and colds due to the short, thin coat. Keep them indoors during winter. Another area of concern is the ears. They are prone to ear infections so keep their ears clean. They should not be exposed to cold weather. The Billy life expectancy is 10-14 years which is very good for such a large dog.

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

Feeding

The Billy dog is large, muscular and lean. Do not overfeed him, but you can safely free feed. Watch to be sure he does not gain too much weight and if he does go to two feedings per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this is a healthy, long-lived dog. Watch for ear infections and keep him out of extreme cold.

Exercise/Games

This is a very athletic, active hunter, who needs a lot of exercise. Daily walks are good, but he needs 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Remember he was bred to hunt and loves to do so. Find activities that let him use his athletic skills and strong sense of smell. He needs a big yard to romp in. He will excel at obedience, barn hunt and agility. A lure game might be good also, but he would be happier with a scent oriented “find it” game.

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