Pastor Garafiano vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison

Pastor Garafiano vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed ComparisonDogo Sardesco is originated from Italy but Pastor Garafiano is originated from Spain. Both Dogo Sardesco and Pastor Garafiano are having almost same height. Dogo Sardesco may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Pastor Garafiano. Both Dogo Sardesco and Pastor Garafiano has almost same life span. Dogo Sardesco may have less litter size than Pastor Garafiano. Dogo Sardesco requires Low Maintenance. But Pastor Garafiano requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Companion dog
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Italy
Spain
Height Male:
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
55 - 64 cm
21 - 26 inches
Height Female:
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
55 - 64 cm
21 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
24 - 35 kg
52 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
24 - 35 kg
52 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
8 - 12
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Dogo Sardo, Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser
Garafian Shepherd, Spanish Collie
Colors Available:
black, brown, grey or brindle , Red
Golden, tawny
Coat:
Short, smooth, dense
Long, thick double-coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

dogo sardescoThis is an ancient working dog breed which hails from the Italian island of Sardinia. When you do research, you find that no one is sure as to this dogs exact origin, and there are a number of theories as to how the dog developed.

Regardless of how the Dogo Sardesco came about, it is a valued companion of farmers in Sardinia, being appreciated for its protective nature.

The dog is a kind of Molosser or Mastiff dog. In the past the dog has been used as a working and hunting dog, and today he is a popular dog in mainland Italy. He is also known as Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser and Dogo Sardo.

The Dogo Sardesco isn’t recognized today by international kennel clubs, and breeders on the island of Sardinia have done nothing to form a breed club for the dog.

pastor garafianoHailing from the Canary Islands, the Pastor Garafiano is a dog which was once used for working purposes but which is essentially a pet today.

Also known as the Spanish Collie, it is not really sure if the dog really has any links to the Collie.There are dog experts who claim that there are actually very few pure specimens of this dog because of interbreeding with other breeds such as the German Shepherd.

There was a time that the breed almost disappeared but a working group was established to further establish breeding centers for the dog. Today the Pastor Garafiano is a recognized breed and he has been registered since 1982.

Description

dogo sardesco puppy - descriptionThe dog Sardesco is a medium to large sized dog generally measuring 56 to 68 cm at the withers and weighing roughly 30 to 45 kg.

Because the dog isn’t bred to specific standards, it varies in appearance, but it is a powerful looking dog, being lean and athletic. The dog’s tail is traditionally docked, but with tail docking being frowned upon, the tail is left long and the dog loses its distinctive look.

The head of the dog is large and the ears are also traditionally cropped to be very short. Left naturally, the ears fold down closely to the sides of the head.The eyes are small and amber colored. The coat is short and smooth, but thick, and while it comes in many colors, the more regular color is red, brown, black, grey or brindle.

Temperament:

The Dogo Sardesco becomes a loyal family pet, more so when he has been trained and socialized. Although he is a devoted and affectionate dog, forming particularly strong bonds with his human family, he isn’t recommended for homes where there are young children.

He also doesn’t take too kindly to other pets in the home. This is because they are a strong-willed, dominant breed and might therefore not be a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Because Sardinian breeders have focused on developing an aggressive dog, he has become a dog suspicious of- and aloof with strangers. He is stubborn and self-willed, and to make him more obedient and amicable, he will require training and socialization. He is an alert, intelligent dog and this makes him an excellent watch dog.

The Sardinian Mastiff is an active dog too and won’t do well in a home where the people aren’t interested in exercise. He is the kind of dog that will need to be taken with you on walks, and he will love to spend time running alongside you when you go running or cycling.

He won’t adapt too well to life in the city, particularly when there is just a tiny garden.

pastor garafiano puppy - descriptionThis is a medium to large dog, with its hindquarters being a bit higher than the shoulders. The body is strongly built with a deep chest. He stands at between 55 to 64cm in height and weighs between 24 to 35kg.

The nose is black and the eyes brown. The ears are slightly erect. The double coat is long and thick and the color is almost golden or tawny, much like a lion. Puppies are born brown and the color changes as they get older.

The tail is long, and when the dog is in motion or alert the tail is lightly curled. He is an active dog requiring a lot of intensive physical exercise. It is therefore not recommended that he be kept on a small city property but that he be on a farm or have a large garden.

Temperament:

This is a good looking, confident sheepdog who is also intelligent and therefore easily trained. He makes a splendidly obedient pet when he has been trained and socialized.

He is docile, calm and friendly and good with children in the home who have been taught to be kind and gentle with him. Apart from regular play, make sure he gets his regular exercise and he is constantly allowed to be part of the family.

Characteristics

dogo sardesco dog - characteristicsThe Dogo Sardesco has always performed his role as a working dog well, and this is a reliable watch dog as well as the dog takes his job of guarding his human family seriously.

With his aggressive temperament, he has appeared on the list of banned breeds, and this is why he isn’t an ideal choice for homes where there are small children, as some small children haven’t been taught how to treat a dog with respect.

However, when properly trained and socialized he becomes an excellent companion dog. He has an intimidating look about him, but when he is with his human family, another side comes out and he is affectionate, loving and protective.

pastor garafiano dog - characteristicsThe Pastor Garafiano is such a wonderful docile and friendly pet that he is guaranteed to make a wonderful companion for any family.

He is a dog that simply loves spending time with his human family and won’t do well when left alone in the backyard day after day. Take good care of this beautiful tawny dog and give him your attention and you will have a wonderful canine friend that is difficult to beat in terms of loyalty and devotion.

Health Problems

dogo sardesco puppies - health problemsThe Dogo Sardesco is a relatively healthy breed who is unlikely to suffer with ailments common to dogs, but nonetheless there are some diseases or conditions that you might want to be aware of with your dog.

Skeletal and visual problems can occur in this breed. Both hip- and elbow dysplasia are common orthopedic disorders in dogs and they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and even cause lifelong disability.

Genes and environmental factors play a part in your dog developing this disease.If he has been diagnosed as having hip or elbow dysplasia, get your dog to the vet as there are treatments which can at least make your pet a lot more comfortable.

Remember that feeding your puppy Dogo Sardesco too much food which is particularly high in calories can mean him growing too fast, and this can contribute to this hip dysplasia problem.

pastor garafiano puppies - health problemsYour Pastor Garafiano can reach anything from 10 – 14 years of age if he is happy and well taken care of. Every dog however, can fall prey to one of the many common dog illnesses there are. Some of these are -

Dermatomyositis:

This is an inherited inflammatory disease of the skin, blood vessels and muscles. Signs of dermatomyositis can vary from mild to severe skin lesions and inflammation of muscles and even a decrease in muscle mass. Severely affected dogs can even have difficulty with swallowing. Symptoms of the disease are usually seen before the dog is 6 months of age.

Progressive Retinal atrophy:

This is an eye disease where there is a gradual deterioration of the retina. Dogs can become night blind early in the disease and as the disease goes on, they can even lose their daytime vision.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a very common dog ailment – the abnormal formation of the hip socket can cause pain, arthritis and even lameness. It is severe enough to know that dogs with hip dysplasia should never be bred.

Caring The Pet

dogo sardesco dogs - caringDog owners who don’t like the idea of spending too much money on grooming will appreciate that the Dogo Sardesco is a very low maintenance breed, and that a good brushing twice a week will keep the dog’s coat shiny and healthy.

As with all other dogs, he will need to have his teeth brushed to remove plaque build up. Not only does plaque lead to dental disease, but bad teeth can lead to other health issues too.

Nail clipping will also be necessary if your pet doesn’t wear the nails down naturally from getting to run on a hard surface from time to time.

Grooming:

pastor garafiano dogs - caringGroom your Pastor Garafiano at least twice a week. Your dog’s coat is fairly long and it sheds too and you want to make sure it doesn't become all matted. There are different brushes you can use for his beautiful coat.

You can also use this grooming session to check other areas of your dog. Check inside his ears, check his eyes and feel for new or unusual lumps. Make sure to keep his nails trimmed.

Exercise your pet every day. Take him on walks or hikes and provide him with ball or frisbee games. Exercise keeps him fit and healthy but also happy and content.

Diet:

Nutrition is of critical importance to your pet's wellbeing. It is important to know what your pet needs to stay healthy and have a strong immune system which can ward off disease.

There are some good commercially manufactured dog foods on the market but it is important to choose the one that doesn’t come filled with toxic colorants, preservatives and fillers. Protein should be high on the list of ingredients listed on the pet food packaging. Also make sure to feed your pet food that had been made for his size, his breed, his age and his energy requirements.

To provide some variety to your pet’s diet, give him some tasty home-made food. Dog’s do well on simplicity and consistency. Some boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as spinach, sweet potato and carrots all chopped up and added into his dry kibble occasionally will keep him bright eyed and with his tail constantly wagging.

He’ll thank you for not varying his diet with things that can give him an upset stomach such as coffee, tea, popcorn, grapes, onions and chocolate.

Comparison with other breeds

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  4. Dogo Sardesco vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
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  6. Dogo Sardesco vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Dogo Sardesco vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Dogo Sardesco vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Dogo Sardesco vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Dogo Sardesco vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Dogo Sardesco vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  20. Dogo Sardesco vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  22. Dogo Sardesco vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Dogo Sardesco vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
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  25. Dogo Sardesco vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Pastor Garafiano vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Pastor Garafiano vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Pastor Garafiano vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Pastor Garafiano vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Pastor Garafiano vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Pastor Garafiano vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Pastor Garafiano vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Pastor Garafiano vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Pastor Garafiano vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Pastor Garafiano vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Pastor Garafiano vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Pastor Garafiano vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Pastor Garafiano vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Pastor Garafiano vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Pastor Garafiano vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Pastor Garafiano vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Pastor Garafiano vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Pastor Garafiano vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Pastor Garafiano vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Pastor Garafiano vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Pastor Garafiano vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Pastor Garafiano vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Pastor Garafiano vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Pastor Garafiano vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Pastor Garafiano vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison