St. Bernard vs Cao de Fila da Terceira - Breed Comparison

Cao de Fila da Terceira is originated from Portugal but St. Bernard is originated from Switzerland. Cao de Fila da Terceira may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than St. Bernard. Cao de Fila da Terceira may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than St. Bernard. Both Cao de Fila da Terceira and St. Bernard has almost same life span. Both Cao de Fila da Terceira and St. Bernard has almost same litter size. Cao de Fila da Terceira requires Low Maintenance. But St. Bernard requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
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Portugal
Switzerland
Height Male:
53 - 57 cm
20 - 23 inches
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
53 - 57 cm
20 - 23 inches
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
70 - 80 kg
154 - 177 pounds
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
Weight Female:
67 - 80 kg
147 - 177 pounds
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
4 - 9
Size:
Large
Giant
Other Names:
Rabo Torto
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Colors Available:
Fawn, yellow, brindle, red or black
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
Coat:
Short and dense
rough or smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

The Cao de Fila da Terceira Mastiff hails from Portugal and is also known as the Rabo Torto.The dog actually comes from the isle of Terceira in the Azores. The dog descends from mastiffs, bulldogs and local dogs.

It was in the 1960s that there was an attempt to revive the dwindling numbers of the breed. The dog was declared extinct in the 1970s but there were some people in the Azores who wanted to see the breed restored, and it remains a mystery as to if the dog is in fact still available. The breed isn’t recognized by kennel clubs.

st bernardThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

Description

The Cao de Fila da Terceira is a medium sized molosser, recognized by his weird tail – short and twirled. In fact, the dog’s other name, Rabo Torto, actually stands for ‘twisted tail’, which is a trademark of this dog and which is thought to come from the mix of bulldog in him.

The dog’s coat is short and smooth and the color is usually fawn or yellow while other colors such as brindle, red or black are also available but less acceptable. You may also find small white markings on the chest and feet.

Standing at about 55cm, the dog is muscular and powerful with a broad head, medium sized floppy ears, wide chest and strong muzzle.

The Cao de Fila da Terceira is a good guard dog and while he doesn’t like strangers, he is a dog who is loving and devoted with his human family. See that he gets socialized and trained and he is capable of establishing a deep relationship with all members of the family, children and other pets included. He relies on his owners to provide him with warmth and communication.

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

Characteristics

If only dog owners would realize that when it comes to a dog’s characteristics, that while there are some traits inherent in a dog, essentially it’s a case of you reap what you sow with a dog. Treat your dog badly, ignore him and abuse him and you get an aggressive, volatile dog who is a threat to the very humans who created the monster in him.

The Cão de Fila da Terceira will certainly need excellent training and socialization, and when he receives plenty of loving attention from his human family he becomes an amazing, relaxed pet. He becomes patient and sweet-tempered so that you can ultimately call him guardian and friend.

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

Health Problems

The Cão de Fila da Terceira is a healthy dog breed, but even so, you need to be looking out for some ailments which can threaten the comfort and wellbeing of any dog.

Constipation:

This can often be brought about by the wrong diet. When you see your pet battling to clear out the bowels, it can often be rectified by altering your dog’s diet. Speak to your vet if it continues. Your vet may suggest adding some form of nutritious oil to your pet’s diet.

Heart Problems:

Dogs can also suffer from heart disease, especially when there is an obstruction to the flow of blood to the brain which can cause your pet to collapse. Veterinary attention must be sought without delay.

Kidney Failure:

Frequent passing of water can be indicative of a kidney problem. Veterinary advice will be needed.

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

Caring The Pet

Companionship is important for the Cao de Fila da Terceira, and if you don’t have another dog in the home, as a pack animal, your dog will rely on you for being an active part of his life. A dog that is well treated becomes thoroughly loyal to his owner.

Diet:

A balanced diet is important for health and for a shiny coat. If you’re unsure of how to feed your Terceira, speak to your veterinarian first. Your vet will know that protein for instance, is essential for your dog. The vet will also speak to you about how to feed a puppy, an adult dog, a pregnant female dog and also feeding your senior dog. Your vet will also explain the hazards of overfeeding and how raw meat also needs to be included in your pet’s diet.

Fresh, cool water is your pet’s life-blood and should be available to your dog night and day. Every dog can benefit too from taking a daily supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acid.

Grooming:

The grooming of your pet will depend on the breed. The Cão de Fila da Terceira has a short coat so he will be easy to maintain. Brush him twice a week to remove loose hairs.

Areas which also need checking daily are the eyes to see that there is no discharge. It is also important to inspect the ears as there should be no build-up of wax inside the ear. Toenails also need attention and should be clipped if they grow long from the pet not walking on hard surfaces.

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

Comparison with other breeds

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