Kuri vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Kars Dog is originated from Turkey but Kuri is originated from French Polynesia. Kars Dog may grow 44 cm / 18 inches higher than Kuri. Kars Dog may weigh 65 kg / 144 pounds more than Kuri. Both Kars Dog and Kuri has almost same life span. Both Kars Dog and Kuri has almost same litter size. Kars Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Kuri requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Miscellaneous dogs
undefined
Turkey
French Polynesia
Height Male:
60 - 90 cm
23 - 36 inches
25 - 46 cm
9 - 19 inches
Height Female:
60 - 90 cm
23 - 36 inches
25 - 46 cm
9 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
60 - 80 kg
132 - 177 pounds
13 - 15 kg
28 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
60 - 80 kg
132 - 177 pounds
13 - 15 kg
28 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
5 - 8
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
Kars Turkish Shepherd, Caucasian
Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, Guri
Colors Available:
Reddish brown, grey, black - mixed colors
White, brown, tan, cream, black - solids and different patterns
Coat:
short or long-haired variety
Medium length, rough
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
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, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

kars dogThe Kars Dog is found in Turkey, hailing more specifically from the Kars province, after which it is named. He actually has a long history of at least 600 years.

Referred to as a Molosser, the dog is still used to this day for shepherding livestock. There are many varieties and sizes of the dog, with the most common Kars type being similar to the Nagazi variant of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Kurī, also known as Guri or Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, is the Maori name for this dog which was introduced to New Zealand by the Maoris when they migrated from East Polynesia around 1280 AD.

They were in fact Polynesian dogs which died out in New Zealand. The Māoris would use the dog as a food source and the skins would be used to make some form of clothing. The bones were used to make items such as necklaces and fish hooks.

Not surprising then that the dog became extinct in New Zealand, with the last known Kuri specimens being found in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Description

kars dog puppy - descriptionLarge and heavy, the Kars Dog is strong, with a large head and broad chest. The height of the dog at the withers is 60 to 90cm and he weighs in at roughly 60 - 80kg.

At one time the ears were cropped but they are left these days and then they are of medium length and floppy. The coat varies too in terms of length and color - short to longer variety coats. The coat can be a solid color or it can have patterns. You’ll find reddish brown dogs, grey and black dogs as well as dogs with a mix of colors.

Temperament:

The Kars is an aggressive, territorial dog, but with the correct training, socialization and upbringing, it can be a loving, amicable family pet.

Known also as the Kars Turkish Shepherd or Kars shepherd, he makes an ideal guarding dog as he is brave and devoted to those he is protecting. He is cautious and even unfriendly towards people he doesn’t know, and it is thought that because of his robustness, it might not be a good idea to leave him unsupervised with small children.

Nonetheless with training and socialization, the Kars is capable of being a super pet for all members of the family. Training him won’t be that easy as he is large and strong-willed, but the training will provide him with some basic good manners.

He will require a firm, confident owner and will require living in a home with a big garden or in the countryside as he requires a good amount of exercise.

The Kuri is extinct now but it was a small to medium sized dog with a thick set neck. He stood between 25 and 46cm and weighed about 13 to 15 kilograms.

He had thick medium-length rough textured hair, small head, erect ears, short legs and a bushy tail. The color of their weatherproof coats varied and some were black, some white or cream and some were a mix of colors and patterns.

An interesting feature about them is that they didn’t bark but instead they howled. They were good at hunting birds.

Temperament:

The Kuri wasn’t considered the brightest breed, but he would have benefited from some training and socialization as this just makes a dog a better pet in every sense – more obedient and better behaved in all situations.

Some Kuris were friendly and able to bond with their human owners, while others were independent and somewhat aloof. Their size would have allowed them to be kept in the city or the country as they weren’t particularly energetic dogs, not requiring much ground to run around in.

Characteristics

kars dog dog - characteristicsThe Kars is a large dog and because of his past where he used to guard livestock, he is a dog used to wide open spaces. He will require a home with a good sized garden and a family who exercises him frequently.

With the right kind of care, the Kars is able to strongly bond with his human family, taking his role as guardian and protector very well. He is alert and smart and that is why he will need training and socialization and a firm, fair human owner. He will then become a loving, devoted companion.

It appears as though some Kuris were kept as pets and that they were able to develop loving relationships with their owners.

We don’t know too much about the extinct Kuri, but scientists are now studying and analyzing the hairs of the dog to find out more about it, and specifically why the Maori dog disappeared some time in the 19th century without a trace.

They will also be analyzing Kuri bones salvaged by archaeologists and which were found on rubbish heaps. These bones can be tested to see whether the diet of the Kuri changed much between the days of Maori settlements and the arrival of the European settlers.

Health Problems

kars dog puppies - health problemsThe Kars is generally healthy and long-lived, being able to reach 12 years of age with ease if cared for properly. Every dog, even the most healthiest ones, will have some health issues, and with a large dog like this, it is hip dysplasia, obesity, cancer and heart problems.

Heart Problems:

Coughing is a symptom of different illnesses, with one of them being heart disease. If your dog is still coughing after several days, its time to see the vet.

When your dog hasn’t exercised, you’ll see him battling to breathe or the breathing will be rapid. He’ll be reluctant to walk and play too and may be disinterested in his food. Edema, the swelling of body tissues is also a sign of heart disease.

Dental Disease:

Some Kuri dogs scavenged while others were pets and ate well. The lifestyle they led would have determined their health. In those days they would have suffered with dental disease, common in adult dogs. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to dental tartar buildup with gum inflammation and tooth loss.

Dental disease can also lead to other organ diseases. These days brushing your dog’s teeth with canine toothpaste and toothbrush can help to ward off dental disease.

Ear infections:

Those Kuris that weren’t pets, tried to survive scavenging, and their homeless situation could well have led to ear infections – caused from a wax- and dirt buildup within the ear. He would have been frantic trying to scratch his ears. In modern times, if your dog showed signs of an ear infection, you would need to get him to the vet.

Caring The Pet

kars dog dogs - caringYour Kars dog can be a wonderful addition to your home, but you need to know how to care for a big dog before you get carried away and add a large puppy breed to your family.

Too many people buy a cute bundle of fur and get rid of it when he is no longer a cute puppy. Before you bring a giant breed dog into your home, take note of some useful tips to keep him in tip top condition -

Diet:

If you bring a puppy home, he’ll need to be fed 4 times a day with special puppy food. There are excellent commercially manufactured puppy foods on the market and you will need to get the one that caters for ‘large- or giant puppy breeds’, as the Kars is a very big dog.

As your dog reaches adulthood you’ll feed him less. If in any doubt as to the kind of food to give your dog to maintain good health, speak to your vet.

Exercise:

Every dog will need exercise to keep him trim and fit but to also stimulate their minds. Providing your Kars dog with exercise such as walks and ball games will also ensure he doesn’t become bored.

General Care:

Your pet will need a nice quiet, warm, dry place to sleep and rest. If he is an outdoor dog during the day, make sure that he has a place to rest in the shade. Make sure he has a non-stop supply of fresh, cool water too that is placed in a cool, reachable spot.

Grooming:

Your large pet is an average shedder and to keep his thick coat in tip top condition, you want to be sure to brush him at least twice a week.

Grooming:

The Kuri will have required regular grooming which means a brushing down twice a week. Brushing would have been useful to prevent loose hairs from shedding with the dog. He would have had to have his ears and eyes checked too to avoid infections. Brushing him would have given his owner the chance to check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Exercise:

As the Kuri wasn’t an overly energetic dog, a walk a day would have kept him content and fit.

Diet:

The Kuri was a dog that essentially formed part of someone else’s diet. Those that managed to escape being a meal for someone no doubt had to scavenge for food. Because they were used to help people catch birds, they themselves were used to catching birds for themselves.

As a small to medium sized dog, if you were to keep such a dog as a pet you would have given him a cup or two of dried kibble a day and tried to vary his diet by including some home-cooked food and raw meat.

Comparison with other breeds

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