Rampur Greyhound vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison

This 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.

Known also as the North-Indian Greyhound or the Rampur Hound, the Rampur Greyhound is native to the Rampur area of Northern India.

This dog is a member of the sighthound family, and in the past has been sought after for its efforts in controlling jackals.

The dog is also able to cover large distances at high speed. Some commemorative postage stamps were issued in 2005 as acknowledgement of this attractive dog breed.

The 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.

In height, the Rampur Greyhound stands at between 55 and 75 cm and they weigh in the region of 27 to 30kg.

They are much the same as other greyhounds, but they’re somewhat wider and just a little bit more muscular. The head too, is broader than the slimmer head of the English Greyhound. Of course these dogs are known for the slim, pointed nose, the high-set ears which are sometimes half-floppy, half-erect. The eyes are large and the tail is long and slim.

The coat is short and smooth and is in colors such as gray, fawn, some white, some black with white and some brindle.

Temperament:

Your Rampur Greyhound is social around his human family, lapping up all their attention. He is the kind of dog that can be seen sprinting at high speed over the fields, but he is also not averse to lying peacefully with you on the sofa.

He is far better suited to a home with large gardens or on a farm as opposed to being confined to a small property in the city.

He can be gentle but when required, he becomes an excellent watchdog. He will need training and socialization as he can be rambunctious indoors, knocking things over. Training makes him obedient and restrained They get on well with children and other pets in the home.

The 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.

Everyone loves the Rampur Greyhound, and why not? He is fantastic with children because of his gentle, loving nature. He is a playful dog too and will require a daily dose of exercise.

They aren’t noisy dogs, being naturally timid, but he still loves to get out and about with his daily walk to see and experience new sights and smells.

When you bring a Rampur Greyhound into your home, you’re bringing in a whole lot of wonderful companionship, love and loyalty from this remarkable canine.

The 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.

Rampur Hounds are generally a healthy dog breed, and their health is enhanced when you take good care of them and provide them with lots of love, good food and exercise.

Still, every dog can fall prey to any one of the many dog illnesses there are such as cancer, bloat, diabetes, ear infections, epilepsy, obesity, eye problems and others.

Bloat:

This can be deadly for your dog. Gas collects in the stomach and the stomach can twist. You’ll notice your dog has a hard, swollen stomach and he is lethargic, but restless. Getting him to the vet as quickly as possible should be a top priority.

Skin Problems:

Your pet can develop all kinds of skin problems where he bites and scratches, causing bacteria. It can be terribly painful for your pet, and even ticks and fleas on the skin can cause cause a lot of irritation for your pet.

Some people add in omega 3 oils to their pet’s diet to help with dry skin. Don’t let your pet suffer with skin allergies and other problems that are itchy and painful. Get him to the vet so you can get to the root of what is causing him so much frustration with his skin.

Dog 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.

Exercise:

Active and playful, your Rampur Hound will need a lot of space to let off steam and run. He will look forward to his walks every day with you. Maybe you’ll need a tennis racquet to hit the ball far enough for him to sprint after.

Grooming:

These dogs, with their short coats, are considered to be low maintenance, even though they do shed.

A good brush twice a week will do them good and they just love being massaged. It’s your time to run your hands over the slim, muscled body to make sure there are no unusual lumps on him.

Follow a regular grooming regime when you brush him. Check inside his ears, have a look at his eyes to make sure they’re still bright. Check inside his mouth for bad teeth which could be causing him terrible pain and make sure to trim his nails.

Diet:

To be healthy and content, every dog needs good food.For convenience it can be great to feed your Greyhound one of the high quality commercially manufactured dog foods. To vary the food occasionally, add in some delicious home-made food too.

Once or twice a week you can simply add some home-made food to the dry kibble. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Nothing complicated.

If you cook it in bulk, you can chop it all up and feed smaller portions to your pet. Some raw meat added in from time to time will also keep him healthy.

A simple meal like this will please your dog no end. No exotic spices and strange, weird kinds of food which could upset his stomach – just plain and simple the way dogs love it.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.