History
The Dogo Guatemalteco was developed at the end of 19th and beginning of 20th century by crossing Bull Terrier, Boxer and Dalmatian. It is possible, that Cordoba Fighting Dog and Dogue de Bordeaux also played a role in the breeds development, but we can not say it on 100%. Bull Terrier is the main ancestor, but it is important to say, that back in 1900s the Bull Terrier was completely different breed than the present day Bull Terrier. The three Guatemalan families that are credited for developing this breed are Galusser family, Gerardi family and Montenegro family, even though there are disputes who was the most important and influential breeder. The first written evidence about this breed dates back to 1930s. Because the main ancestor of this breed is the old type of Bull Terrier, for a long time, this breed was known as Bullterrier Guatemalteco, but it was later changed by ACANGUA to Dogo Guatemalteco. In 1981 the Guatemalan government officially named the Dogo Guatemalteco as their national dog breed. Appearance You probably noticed, that the Dogo Guatemalteco has similar appearance to Dogo Argentino and it would only be logical to assume, that these two breeds are related, but that is not true. They only share the same ancestor, which is the Bull Terrier. The Dogo Guatemalteco is slightly older breed than the Dogo Argentino. The Dogo Guatemalteco is a well-muscled dog with massive head, with average height between 52-60 cm which is 20-24 in and weight is usually between 35-45 kg (77-99 lb). Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. The appearance of Dogo Guatemalteco is quite intimidating, but some dogs might look more stocky and some more streamlined and agile. The Dogo Guatemalteco comes in white color, but they can have some black spots, most commonly on their head. The coat is very short, shiny and smooth. Temperament The Dogo Guatemalteco was bred specificaly for one main utilization and that is guarding, which shaped its temperament. This is a naturally suspicious and fearless dog, wary of strangers, very territorial and he should not tolerate unknown strangers approach its property. They truly have very strong guarding instinct and even without much training, you can count on these dogs to protect your household. But, of course, just like all dogs in the world, even the Dogo Guatemalteco is a good family companion. When it is around its own family, than this is extremely loyal dog that creates a very strong bond with its owner, that is tolerant and quite gentle towards everyone in the family and it is quite obedient and you can even say affectionate and playful dog. Their loyalty is very very strong and it can be extremely hard to re-home a Dogo Guatemalteco. They can live with kids and they are typically quite gentle towards them, but of course, you should always supervise any interaction between Dogo Guatemalteco and young children. They can even be socialized to live with other pets and other dogs, especially if they live together from the puppyhood. This is moderately active breed – not a total coach potatoe, but neither extremely hyperactive breed. Few daily longer walks accompanied with some playtime or fun training sessions are typically enough to satisfy this dogs exercise needs. Health and grooming It is not hard to keep the coat of Dogo Guatemalteco in good shape, but be prepared, that they do shed all year long and it is adviced to brush their coats regularly in order to minimize the shedding and to redistribute natural oils all over the coat. No other grooming is required, but just like with any other dog breed, you should regularly check their eyes, ears, nails and teeth and clip them or clean them if needed. You should also be prepared for some ammount of drooling, especially after eating or drinking. I could not find any studies about the breeds health, but it should typically be rather healthy dog breed with average lifespan around 12 years, which is okay for dog of this size. They should not suffer much from any serious health issues, but just like every other dog breed, they might have problems with hip and elbow dysplasia, some allergies and infections and with deafness.
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The famous German Shepherd and the lesser-known Dutch Shepherd may appear similar at first glance, leading some to confuse the two. However, these two breeds have distinct characteristics that set them apart.
When it comes to appearance, two prominent distinctions stand out: size and color. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now. The Dutch Shepherd is slightly shorter and leaner dog breed of the two. While this difference is noticeable, it isn't substantial. Both dogs can have either short or long coat, but the Dutch Shepherd can also be rough-haired, even though this variety is fairly rare. Another distinctive trait is coat color. German Shepherds typically sport a black and tan coat, although sable or solid black colors are also possible. In contrast, the Dutch Shepherd's coat color has an interesting history. In 1914, the decision was made to limit the breed to the brindle color pattern, distinguishing it from the similar German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherds. Consequently, today's Dutch Shepherds are exclusively brindle. You will never see purebred brindle German Shepherd. Which is why the coat color is the easiest way how to differentiate these two breeds apart. Both dogs became popular as versatile workers in 1800s in Western Europe. As you can probably tell, the German Shepherd was used in Germany and Dutch Shepherd in Netherlands. During this time, both dogs were mainly used by farmers for herding their livestock, but they were highly valued for their versatility, as they could also protect the livestock from dangerous predators and they were trained to protect the farm as well. And since both have similar past and utilization, their temperaments are very similar as well. Both the German and Dutch Shepherds exhibit independence, alertness, confidence, loyalty, and intelligence. They can serve as energetic and dedicated family companions, adaptable to living with other dogs, pets, or children. However, as with any dog breed, supervision is crucial when they interact with young children. Subtle differences exist in their temperaments. Generally, the Dutch Shepherd is slightly more active and independent. On the other hand, the German Shepherd tends to be a bit reserved with strangers, more protective, and somewhat easier to train. Despite these nuances, the temperaments of both breeds remain largely identical. As you can probably expect from hard working dog breeds, both of them need plenty and plenty of physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Again, the Dutch Shepherd is little bit more hyperactive than the GSD, but both dogs require daily longer walks, some playtime and fun training sessions and they will always be ready for a longer outdoor hike as well. These dogs are always ready for any kind of adventure. Both dogs will love to live in homes with large yards where they can roam independently. But with enough exercise, they can live in apartment as well. Again, Dutch Shepherd is extremely active dog, but the activity level of German Shepherd is above average as well, so you need to count on that when considering either of these two breeds. Grooming routines vary depending on coat type, but both short and long-coated varieties shed significantly, demanding regular brushing to minimize shedding and maintain coat health. Shedding peaks during shedding seasons. Apart from brushing, routine checks of their eyes, ears, nails, and teeth are essential for their overall well-being. Last but not least lets compare the health. Comparatively, the Dutch Shepherd boasts better overall health than the German Shepherd. This might be attributed to its smaller population and less intense breeding practices. With smaller population, it is easier to uphold responsible breeding. Both dogs can suffer from joint problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, they might have digestive problems, some eye problems, allergies or infections, but all these problems occur more commonly in German Shepherds. The average lifespan of German Shepherd is somewhere around 11 years, while the average lifespan of Dutch Shepherd is around 12 or 13 years. In conclusion, there is not much differences between these two breeds and if you are looking to add an active shepherd dog into your life, you will not make mistake with neither of these two dogs. But make sure that you are ready for active and strong dog that needs some kind of a job in their life. History
The history, ancestry and origin of Segugio Maremmano is rather unknown. It is believed, that the breed was developed in 1800s by Italian hunters in the southern part of Tuscany region, also known as Maremma region. They were not developed for their apperance or for the show ring but for pure performance as hunters. These hunters kept breeding Segugio Maremmano, because it was just the perfect wild boar hunting companion, perfectly adapted to the environment of the southarn area of Tuscany. We do not know anything about the breeds ancestry and it was most likely developed from unregistered hunting dogs and possibly even street dogs, which was one of the reasons, why this breed was not officially registered for decades by Italian Kennel Club. This changed in 2009 when the breed was finally recognized. Appearance The Segugio Maremmano is a medium sized dog breed with very elegant and athletic build. The body has rectangular shape and the Segugio Maremmano has pretty large head, relative to the body. The average height of Segugio Maremmano is between 46-54 cm (18-21 in) and weight between 13-23 kg (29-51 lbs). Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. Interesting fact is, that the breed can have two coat types, either smooth or rough. The smooth haired variety has short coat, that is dense and shiny, while the rough coat is slightly longer, dense and shaggy. It is important to say, that the short haired smooth coated type is far more popular and approximately 90% of the dogs have smooth coat. The Segugio Maremmano comes in various colors, such as brindle, black and tan and in various shades of fawn, from pale to dark tan. There may also be white spots on the legs, neck, chest, forehead, and tip of the tail. The Segugio Maremmano has oval shaped, dark colored eyes, triangular hanging ears, strong neck, well developed chest, tail that is set high and quite muscular limbs. Temperament The Segugio Maremmano is still used for hunting in Italy, but it is also becoming companion dog and they have great temperamental characteristics for both purposes. As a hunter, they are specialized to hunt wild boar and their main weapons on the hunt are their high prey drive, confidence, bravery, great stamina, sense of smell and hearing. They also use their pleasing voice well differentiated in accordance to hunting phases. The Segugio Maremmano can work on its own or in a pack of hounds and they are greatly adapted to Tuscany environment and they are able to go through dense forests and ponds to bring its master some prey. When choosing Segugio Maremmano as a companion pet, you should be prepared for free spirited and highly energetic dog with high prey drive. They definitely need daily longer walks, jogs, hikes, fun training session or vigorous playtime to stay happy and healthy. You should also be prepared for pretty independent dog, that will not always obey your commands, but they are intelligent dogs capable of learning all the basic obedience commands fairly quickly. But the Segugio Maremmano is also known for its kind and gentle character and they create strong bond with the family. Most of these dogs adore children and they will love to play with them, but it is always a must to supervise any actions between any dog breed and young child. And of course, they are not the best for families with other household pets, as Segugio Maremmano is natural born hunter with strong prey drive. But they can happily live with other dogs, especially if socialized together from puppyhood. Health and grooming Great news is, that the Segugio Maremmano has minimal grooming needs. Whether its smooth or rough coat, they stay in relatively good condition by itself even without any grooming. Of course, it is better if you can brush the coat from time to time to keep it in best possible condition and to redistribute natural oils all over the coat. Regular brushing will also remove any loose and dead hair and minimize the shedding. No other grooming is needed. There are no known health issues, which would be very common in this breed and they should typically not suffer from any serious genetic health issues. The average lifespan is somewhere around 13 years. Lately i have been asked what is the difference between the Australian Cattle Dog and Blue Heeler and i thought that maybe more people are confused and curious about this.
And well, the answer to this question is actually quite simple: there is NO real difference between the Australian Cattle Dog, Blue Heeler, or Red Heeler. The official breed name is Australian Cattle Dog, and the Blue Heeler and Red Heeler are simply nicknames for the same dog breed. In addition to these names, the Cattle dog is also known as Halls Heeler, named after the breed's founder, Thomas Hall, or Queensland Heeler, which relates to the Australian state where the breed originated. However, all these different names refer to the same dog breed. When it comes to their characteristics, there is absolutely no difference between the Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, or Australian Cattle Dog. They all have the same size, body type, and share common traits such as being alert, lively, hardworking, and possessing an independent mind with high intelligence. The only difference lies in their coat color. Australian Cattle dogs come in either red or blue color, and both colors can be speckled or mottled. As you can probably guess, the red-colored Cattle dogs are nicknamed Red Heelers, while the blue-colored ones are called Blue Heelers. This is the only true difference between them. I have come across opinions on the internet suggesting that Blue Heelers are generally softer than the more aggressive Red Heelers. However, this is not true and is likely based on the experiences of some individuals with specific dogs of each color. Of course, some Blue Heelers might be more alert than Red Heelers and vice verse, it is purely genetic thing, but there is zero evidence, and it honestly does not make sense, that Blue Heelers would be regularly softer than Red Heelers. The reason why this does not make sense is, that the color of the Australian Cattle Dog is also purely genetically determined. Even two Blue Heelers can have a litter full of red colored dogs, but these dogs, even though they will have different color, will most likely inherit the personality of its parents. In conclusion, there is no real difference between Red Heelers and Blue Heelers as they are both Australian Cattle Dogs. So, if you are deciding between them, there is no need to worry about any significant distinctions. Simply choose the color that you prefer and, of course, select a dog from a reputable breeder. In the past, i owned an old deaf dog adopted from shelter and in this video i will tell you what are the main advantages and benefits of adopting a senior dog.
It really depends on your preferences, but one of the most obvious advantages of adopting and owning an older dog is, that they are more chill, relaxed, less destructive and less hyper than puppies. Most people want to buy or adopt cute puppy, but puppies are whirlwinds of boundless energy. If something can be chewed, they will chew it. Older dogs typically already grew up from these habits and they are typically much more mellow and laid back. Older dogs also require less time and supervision. Senior dogs are instant companions, most of them are ready for long walks in nature, but they do not demand it just as little puppies. Most of them also know what are their boundaries, so they do not need to be supervised 24/7 just like a little pup. This goes hand in hand with potty training. Almost all the senior dogs are house broken and your carpet will definitely thank you for adopting an older dog rather than buying a little puppy. Not only that senior dogs are housebroken, they are very often already trained, or at least they know the basic obedience commands. You should always ask in shelter about the dogs socialization and training and the shelter personnel should give you overview about your chosen dogs abilities. And even untrained senior dogs are still capable of learning all the needed commands relatively fast. You can definitely teach old dog new tricks. Adopting already socialized older dog rather than young unsocialized pup is also a big benefit. Of course, make sure in the shelter, that the dog truly is well socialized, because there will be old dogs without socialization. But most older dogs will be socialized to at least some degree and when the UPS truck rolls up, an older adult dog may give it a sideways glance, rather than jump off the couch barking at the new intruder. Many people who adopted older dogs, including myself, also say, that older adopted dogs form a special bond with their new owner. It almost feels like the dog is instantly attached to their new owner, they are grateful and they appreciate you for taking care of them. But of course, this might not always be the case. You will also know what you will get in terms of size. Older dogs will not grow any bigger. If you would adopt a young pup or buy a mixed breed, you will never know how big it will really get. This is not the issue with older dogs. What you see is what you get. And last, but not least benefit is, that you will save a life. Most people will prefer to adopt a young pup from the shelter, but senior dogs need a home too. Old, or even just adult dogs, are often passed over by potential adopters for puppies and younger dogs and they spend much more time in shelter up to 4x as long as a younger dog. Of course, there are also some big disadvantages of adopting a senior dog. The biggest are health issues. Most senior dogs will eventually suffer from some kind of a health problem, it might be hip problems, digestive problems, eye problems.. It can be just anything and you must reckon with it. They will also live for much shorter time. But they do deserve to spend their last days in loving family, rather than in a shelter. Many senior dogs create extremely strong bond with their new adopting parents, which can lead to separation anxiety. And if you are a very active person or family, the old dog might lack the energy and enthusiasm to live a happy life. They might also lack energy around kids, other dogs or other animals, so count with that as well. Adopting an old dog is not an easy decision. Many people want to adopt old dog just to make a good deed. But it is much more than that, it is a big commitment for several years and you should really think it through. There are many people who adopted an adult dog, just to put it back to shelter after few months. But from my experience, adopting an old dog is a great decision! Let's start with a brief origin and history of both breeds. Both breeds were developed for hunting hare, but they are not directly related. The similarities between the two might be explained by an ancient common ancestor, the St. Hubert Hound. However, we cannot be 100% certain about this because the Beagle's history is surrounded by mystery, and no one really knows its exact ancestry. The St. Hubert Hound is the only link between the ancestry of these two dogs, but the Beagle was mainly developed in England, and the Basset in France and as i mentioned earlier, they are not directly related to each other.
So what are the main differences between the Beagle and Basset Hound? Let's start with appearance, and later, we'll discuss temperament. The most important difference is size. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now (see video). The difference in height is rather subtle, but the real difference lies in weight and body length. The Basset is much heavier, sturdier, and longer. The Basset Hound has a body length of up to 35 inches (88 cm), while the Beagle only reaches up to 25 inches (63 cm). The Beagle also has a much more athletic body and longer legs compared to the extremely short legs of the Basset. The Basset's short stature is caused by dwarfism, as they were intentionally bred from St. Hubert's Hound with dwarfism to achieve this unique long and short body. This is the biggest difference between the two breeds. But there are other important appearance differences as well. The Beagle has a squared face, while the Basset has a prolonged face with very long floppy ears that can touch the ground. Beagle's ears are much smaller. Another distinguishing feature of the Basset is its large paws, especially in comparison to its short legs. The Basset is also more wrinkly on its face. So, the main differences in appearance are size, body type, leg length, paw size, and length of the ears. Both breeds have a similar coat, which is very smooth and dense, coming in black, white, and tan tricolor. Both breeds can also come in slightly different colors, and you can see the complete color list on the screen right now. The Basset should have a slightly longer and coarser coat than the Beagle, although it might not be visible at first glance. Now let's talk about temperament. It is true that both dogs were originally bred for hunting hare. The difference was that Beagles were mainly used for physically demanding pack hunting of hare, while the Basset was primarily used for tracking hare and deer. This is the main reason why Beagles are more energetic and lively, demanding much more physical exercise. There is a myth that the Basset is a lazy lap dog. While they are much more laid-back than Beagles, they still need daily walks and fun playtime to stay in good shape. They are not total couch potatoes but are definitely more laid-back and less hyperactive than Beagles. Because the Basset was mainly used for tracking, they have an extremely good sense of smell. It is said to be the second-best nose in the dog world, just after the Bloodhound. Both dogs are vocal, but Beagles tend to bark and howl much more. This is also a reflection of their history as pack hunters, as they used to be extremely vocal on the hunt, and they still tend to bark frequently. This is something you should consider when getting a Beagle. Bassets are also quite vocal but not to the extent of Beagles. So, these are the main differences. There are many more similarities in temperament. Both dogs are friendly and sociable, wanting to be active members of the family. They can happily live with other dogs and make good gentle and playful partners for kids. On the other hand, both breeds are known to be quite stubborn and independent, which can make training a bit difficult. However, both can easily learn all the basic obedience commands, although they might not obey them every single time. Comparing the ability for training, I would say that the laid-back temperament of the Basset makes it better suited for training, especially for novice dog owners. Both breeds have a strong prey drive and chasing instinct, so other household pets might be problematic. You should be very careful on your walks and only let your dog off-leash in fenced or well-known areas. Last but not least, let's compare health and grooming. Beagles have a longer life expectancy, around 13 or 14 years, compared to the Basset's 11 years. Beagles are generally considered very healthy dogs, with the main health issues being joint problems, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy. Bassets, due to their body type, are much more prone to various health issues, such as back problems, elbow and hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, eye issues, or von Willebrand's disease. Bassets are also prone to obesity, so you should be very careful with their feeding and provide them with enough exercise. Grooming the Beagle is much easier. They shed less than Bassets, and brushing their coat once a week is enough to keep it in decent condition. Bassets require more frequent brushing to minimize heavy shedding and maintain the coat's good condition. I would recommend brushing them at least three times a week, if not daily. You should also take extra care of the Basset's ears, cleaning them and keeping them dry to prevent ear infections. This applies to the Beagle as well, but due to the size of the Basset's ears, they are much more prone to ear problems. Additionally, you should keep the Basset's wrinkles and skin folds clean to avoid infections. Bassets also tend to drool more compared to the Beagle, which is a relatively clean breed. I believe that covers the complete comparison of Basset and Beagle. Please let me k |