Perro de Toro vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Perro de Toro vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonGreater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Perro de Toro is originated from Spain. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Perro de Toro. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Perro de Toro. Both Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Perro de Toro has almost same life span. Both Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Perro de Toro has almost same litter size. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Perro de Toro requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Molosser dogs
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Switzerland
Spain
Height Male:
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
56 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
56 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
34 - 40 kg
74 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
34 - 40 kg
74 - 89 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
11 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Spanish Bull Dog
Colors Available:
Black, white and rust
brindle - black mask, Fawn, grey, red, yellow
Coat:
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Short and coarse
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

greater swiss mountain dogHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

perro de toroThe rare Spanish Perro de Toro seems to have unclear origins, with some saying the dog is a direct descendant of the Toulouse Mastiff, while others say that the dog was developed by crossing the Alano with the Dogue de Bordeaux.

The dog hails from Spain and was once used as a fighting kind of dog but today it is essentially a family pet. The dog is an ancient breed, an ancestor of many of the molosser breeds that are around today.

Description

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

perro de toro puppy - descriptionThis is a strong, powerful, large breed of dog, making a good watchdog and guardian. He can be anything from 56 to 64cm in height and weigh between 34 and 40kg.

The nose of the dog is broad and black, the ears are set high and droop over slightly,making them floppy ears, but they have always been cropped to stand up erect.

He's a sturdy dog and the tail is fairly thick at the base, tapering to a point. These days it tends to be undocked and left long. The neck is strong and powerful too and the head brachycephalic. The short coat includes colors such as yellow, grey, fawn and red with the black mask.

Temperament:

The Spanish Bulldog looks fairly intimidating and he will certainly need training and socialization if he is to be obedient and well behaved.

He isn’t aggressive but is confident, dominant, fearless, loyal and also loving towards his owner. He is devoted towards his human family and is good with children. Like any mastiff type breed, he will need a firm, kind, consistent, patient owner. This is the kind of owner who will understand this breed type and take time out with him to exercise him and provide him with mental and physical stimulation so as to prevent boredom.

Characteristics

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

perro de toro dog - characteristicsContrary to what many people think, the temperament of the Perro de Toro is calm and well balanced. This is a reliable, loving, loyal dog who wants to protect his human family.

He gets on well with children and with pets in the home and when trained and socialized, this intelligent dog is well mannered, obedient and sometimes even submissive.

True, the Perro de Toro has a history of being involved in all kinds of things, from hunting to fighting and also being a working dog, but he is now waiting to show you what a splendid pet he can be if he is raised by the right kind of people.

Health Problems

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

perro de toro puppies - health problemsThis is a dog breed that is fit and healthy, but to keep him that way you want to make sure he has enough exercise, love and nutritious food.

He is not known to suffer from any particular disease, but even so, it is wise to be aware of some of the common dog illnesses that your dog could pick up so you can get veterinary help for him just as soon as possible.

Cancer:

With cancer, cells grow rapidly and invade tissue. Dogs can get any of the many cancers there are. Both hereditary and environmental factors can contribute to the development of cancer in canines. Cancer can show up as lumps, swelling, sores that won’t heal, weight loss and difficulty with breathing.

Heartworm:

Heartworms are transmitted from one animal to the next by mosquitoes. These worms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected animal, travelling through the bloodstream and causing havoc. Heartworm is dangerous and can actually be life threatening. Symptoms include coughing, vomiting, battling to breathe and weight loss.

Rabies:

This is a viral disease that can strike terror in anybody who has seen an animal with rabies. It affects the brain and spinal cord of your dog. It is preventable through means of a vaccine. Once symptoms appear, it is a disease which is nearly always fatal.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

Exercise:

perro de toro dogs - caringIf they are not being used as working dogs, they are family pets, and you need to give them a lot of daily exercise. You will need to give him some walks or hikes and allow him a good run in the country.

Grooming:

The Perro de Toro is a short haired dog, and as a moderate shedder, he isn’t going to require too much grooming. A brushing twice a week will help get rid of his hair.

When brushing him, turn it into a bit of a grooming session and check inside his ears, look at his eyes and try to look inside his mouth. He can’t tell you if he has terrible toothache from a rotting tooth and he will rely on you to check his teeth.

Diet:

Mastiff type dogs need a wholesome diet to remain strong and active. If you are going to feed your pet one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the top quality ones.

Avoid the ones that use lots of colorants, preservatives and unhealthy fillers as these can make your dog sick. Try and give him some home-made food which can be added into his dry kibble occasionally.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato and spinach chopped up will be excellent for him and will ensure he doesn’t battle with digestive upsets. If you can, every now and then try to include some raw meat for the benefit and health of your pet. Never leave him without a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

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  29. Perro de Toro vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Perro de Toro vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Perro de Toro vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Perro de Toro vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Perro de Toro vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Perro de Toro vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Perro de Toro vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Perro de Toro vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Perro de Toro vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Perro de Toro vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Perro de Toro vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Perro de Toro vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Perro de Toro vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Perro de Toro vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Perro de Toro vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Perro de Toro vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Perro de Toro vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Perro de Toro vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Perro de Toro vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Perro de Toro vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Perro de Toro vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Perro de Toro vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison