Sage Koochee vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Galgo Espanol means Spanish with galgo meaning greyhound, thus a Spanish Greyhound. This breed is ancient with their roots in perhaps the English greyhound and others in the sighthound family. They are much like the greyhound in that they are laid back, calm, gentle and quiet, unless they are competing on the local track. Like the greyhound they are shy and reserved; great with kids and other pets. And of course, they love cats.

There are dogs like the Galgo referred to in writing by the ancient Celts and Romans. One author, Arrian, had his own Galgos and used them when hunting. The breed flourished in the second half of the Middle Ages in Spain and well into the 8th century. When the Christians regained control of the Iberian Peninsula, they did away with the hunter old forms of hunting and introduced a new form with hounds that made the Galgo the pride of the aristocracy and not in the homes of the ordinary people. Arrian claim to two types of dogs, the smooth and rough coated.

Muslim and Chrisitan Kings kept Galgo Espanols. In all probability the Saluke and Galgo were crossbred at this time. It was illegal to kill a Galgo and in 1081, the Mayor of Cartuario of Slonza left his Galgo in his will to Diego Citid. Dogs seen in painting from the 12th century look just like dogs of this breed who can be seen today.

It is believed that when the Galgo was developed, it was in the midsection of Spain or the Castillian plains. They ruled the interior of the country while the bloodhound ruled the exterior. The 18th and 19th centuries saw very little change in the breed. However, in the 20th century, there was cross breeding with the English greyhound that produced a leaner, faster and powerful track racing dog. The results was a faster dog without the long distance stamina of the pure Galgo. For this reason, the breeders returned to breeding the pure professional racing dog.

The sport of racing the Galgo earns Spain around sixty million dollars per year. They train anywhere from three to four thousand of the Galgos every year for Open Field Coursing Championships. Still, there no longer is any cross breeding between the Greyhound and the Galgo. The current coursing programs feature a hare that is much hardier and difficult to pursue so the stamina of the old Galgo Espanol is desired. In Castile, where these games are played, the landscape is open with large fields that requires that the hare travels far greater distances. This means that the stamina of the original Galgo Espanol is needed.

When not racing the Galgos have become great house pets. They have a reputation as gentle dogs that are docile and quiet, with good health. This reputation is well earned. They are also successful show dogs in Europe much more than the states. This is perhaps because they are really rare outside of Spain. They are not recognized by the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club.

Known also as the Kuchi Dog, the Sage Koochee is a dog that was bred more for his characteristics than his looks. He was bred to be a protector and guardian and named after the Afghan Kochi people.

Referred to as the Kuchi or Sage Kuchi, this working dog has always helped nomads with guarding their caravans and livestock. The dog has genetic resemblance with the Central Asian Ovcharka but isn’t recognized as an official breed by any of the major kennel clubs.

Obviously the Galgos looks a lot like the Greyhound, but in some very important ways they are very different. The rear of the Galgos is higher than the front and their muscle are flatter. They are built for endurance while the Greyhound is built for speed. The Galgos is a lighter, smaller dog with larger ear on a long head. They have long tails and their chests are not deep like the Greyhounds.

The Galgo comes in smooth and rough coats and a variety of colors. The rough coat protects dogs that are in climates colder than the ones in Spain and also keeps them from injuring their skin while running. The colors include brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color as long as they have a white forehead and muzzle.

The Sage Koochee is a large molosser dog, although they do vary quite a bit in height. This is because they generally come in 3 varieties.

They can stand at between 58 to 89cm in height and they weigh between 38 to 80kg. This is because this dog is divided into 3 types. The coat of this dog can be short, medium or long, and colors can vary quite a bit as well.

These are moderate, seasonal shedders. Their tails are usually docked to about 1/3 of their length and their ears have been traditionally docked too. They are very territorial and won’t show any tolerance to strangers coming onto the property. He also tends to be aggressive towards other dogs.

Temperament:

These dogs are tough and fierce and also immensely intelligent. Such a dog would have to be trained and socialized or you would land yourself with a strong-willed, disobedient dog.

Once they’ve had training, they are friendly, obedient and affectionate towards their owners, but aren't a good choice for children. They are extremely territorial and make good watchdogs,being prepared to fiercely protect their human family.

The very nature of this dog makes it not suitable for life in the city. It would be terribly frustrated in small spaces and can become aggressive.

Children friendliness

They are good with children, but you need to be careful no one gets knocked down or hurt.

Special talents

Stamina for running and a good record in lure coursing.

Adaptability

Though they can be couch potatoes like greyhounds they are better off with a fenced yard and not an apartment.

Learning ability

They are smart and can learn anything you want to teach them if you can keep their attention.

The Kuchi has always been vigilant with guarding livestock, and these tough dogs did the job of guardian and protector extremely well.

They’re hardy too, used to coping with extreme weather conditions, from hot deserts to freezing mountain areas. These dogs are powerful and independent and they are also dangerous.

With good training and socialization they can become loving and loyal, but they require a strong, firm owner, and don’t come as recommended if there are children in the home.

Being a large dog, the Galgo Espanol would normally face a high probability of hip dysplasia. Fortunately for the breed this is not true. In this respect their lightness of weight, their history as a working dog and their anatomy have protected them from it. They are however susceptible to other issues.

Osteosarcoma

Bone Cancer

Malignant tumors that quickly spread throughout the body. Life threatening.

Anesthetics

As a sighthound, the Galgo Espanol is prone to have issues anytime with anesthetics. They don’t metabolize the anesthetics like other dogs do. They will take longer to revive, and they are susceptible to hypothermia while under an aesthetic.

Muscle/Toe Injuries

While running, they are prone to injuries

The Kuchi breed is healthy and doesn’t have any particular health issues. Things to look out for are bloat, skin allergies, cancer and parasites.

Parasites:

Parasites are a common in many dogs. Fleas and ticks are external parasites, but intestinal parasites can be a real nuisance too and endanger your dog’s health.

These parasites live within the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. They can be a host of terrible worms such as roundworm, hookworms and tapeworm among others. The parasites are usually transmitted when the dog ingests contaminated food, soil or even feces.

These parasites can cause endless problems for the dog, from weight loss to diarrhea to vomiting. You will need to get your pet to the vet.

Feeding the puppy

Feed your puppy a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 3 meals a day 2.5 to 3 cups total for the day.

Feeding the adult

Feed your adult Galgo a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 2 meals a day but don’t overfeed Give 4-5 cups total for the day.

Points for Good Health

They have amazing stamina and good speed. Generally good health as a breed.

Games and Exercises

He can be a couch potato indoors and runs forever outdoors. He does need daily exercise and bedrest both. The best would be if you could sprint him every day or have a small yard he can play in. They excel of course at agility and lure coursing. Keep them on a leash because if they run you will never catch them. The American Sighthound Field Association presents lure coursing events that they are eligible for. They have exceled at show competition in Europe but are not well known in the U.S.

A nutritious commercially manufactured dog food for large working dogs will be required for this strong, energetic dog. You want to provide it with some variety, so some homemade food added into the dry kibble twice a week will ensure he is healthy and content.

Home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all boiled slowly together will delight your pet. You just chop it up and add it to the dry kibble twice a week and your pet will never look back.

For his skin and coat, you can try to add in a little bit of raw meat occasionally.Dogs thrive on simple, consistent meals like this – nothing weird and spicy so as to avoid stomach upsets.

Groom your Kuchi dog by brushing him twice a week and check simultaneously for any lumps you may find on him.

Trim his nails.

Check his eyes and make sure they are clear with no signs of discharge.

Check inside the mouth for rotten or bad teeth as he can’t tell you if one is rotten and causing him tremendous pain and discomfort.

Make sure his vaccines are up to date to avoid life threatening canine diseases.

Provide him with a nice, warm dry place to sleep.

Make sure he has access to shade and sun when he’s outdoors.

Have him or her spayed or neutered to avoid puppies