Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison

The Gaddi Kutta is mountain dog of the mastiff line from northern India. They are mostly found in the western Himalayas and Himachal Pradesh. It is also seen in Nepal and often named the Indian Panther Hound and the Mahidant Mastiff. They were bred to hunt but because of their strength and intelligence they are used to guard and herd goats and sheep. They are strong enough to defeat or scare off a panther or snow leopard and intelligent enough to work independently in finding strays and bringing them back to their pens. They have been known to protect herds of cattle from bears and leopards.3 or 4 of them working together can handle the guard duties for thousands of cattle.

Their reputation precedes them – as ferocious and courageous, unmatched in their instincts to protect what is theirs. In the line of the Mastiffs and Molosser, the Gaddi is powerful and agile, and considered to be of ancient heritage though no one is sure what their origin is. The local myth is that dogs were crossed with tigers. It is more likely that dingo-like wild hounds from the Himalaya were crossed with the Tibetan Mastiff to create the Gaddi Kutti. Also found in Pakistan, most lines of the breed have been crossed with others including the German Shepard and the Bully Kutta. Outside of the Himalayas there are not many if any pure lines. The Gaddi Kutta is a good family dog if you socialize him as a puppy. He will be gentle, calm and intuitive with his family, but aggressive toward strangers and other dogs.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is thought to be an old Land Spaniel similar to the English Springer Spaniel. They were pretty mush an unknown breed until they won a string of dog trials and became more popular. Following this surge the breed was recognized by the UKC in 1902 and were named the Welsh Springer Spaniel. No one really knows when the breed was developed and cannot be traced because of lack of documentation. They were brought to America in the early 1900’s and were recognized as a breed by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1906.

There are images of a dog looking a lot like the Welsh Springer Spaniel in old prints and pictures. The pictures are of a dog known as a Land Spaniel very much like the Welsh Springer Spaniel. These dogs were thought to be preserved by the Welsh and originally called the Welsh Starter. It was a hunting breed working with falcons.

At one point the breed was called the Welsh Spaniel and was also in the UK studbook as a Cocker Spaniel or a Welsh Cocker. There were several different types of Cocker Spaniels including the English Cocker, the Welsh Cocker, the Devonshire Cocker. The Welsh Cocker Spaniel was a solid dark color while the Welsh and Devonshire Cockers were liver colored.

Following World War II there were no dogs left in Wales or anywhere else in the United Kingdom whose parents were registered pedigree. The unregistered dogs were used to restart the breed and these dogs are the ancestors of the modern Welsh Springer Spaniel.

The breed is still rare with only 299 registered in the UK in 2016. They are listed now a vulnerable Native Breed.

The Gaddi Kutta is a mastiff but he is athletic, has tremendous speed and stamina. He is muscular and deep-chested, leaner than most of the mastiff lines. Their ears can be either natural or cropped, on a very large head. One of the most important traits of the Gaddi Kutta is the massive, arched neck that protects them from predators. He is sturdy with a heavily feathered, thick tail curling over the back.

They are massive, wolf like dogs, fiery and huge but intelligent and faithful to their people. They are scary even when they are trying to be affectionate. The muzzle is strong, and the mane is thick. The Gaddi has long, heavy legs and very large feet that are feathered, making him even more intimidating.

There are two types of Gaddi Kutti – the longhaired and the shorthaired. The longhaired is the most common and has a fuller coat with long feathering on the tail, legs and chest and some feathering on the feet. They are all usually solid colors of yellow, fawn and cream or they could be piebald, brown or brindle. They have a woolly dense undercoat.

The breed is a medium size, solid and compact dog bred to work. Their forequarters are angled and there hindquarters are well developed. This is a very good looking breed that is only red with white markings. A hard working dog bred to hunt. They are slighter longer than tall and are not penalized as long as the height tis not greater than the length.

The tail in docked except in countries where it is illegal to do so. Their eyes should be brown. Noses are black or brown. The ears are small with a fethering like most setters. The show and field styles are the same. They are confused with the Engolish Springer Spaniel even though there are many differences. But both breeds are born to hunt and “spring” at the prey. They are smaller than the English Springer Spaniel and larger than the English Cocker Spaniel.

Children friendliness

They are not always great with children, but they will protect own children in their family. Do not leave unattended.

Special talents

They have the ability to bring down a wolf or even a bear or snow leopard.

Adaptability

Because of his size, temperament and coat he is not very adaptable. He is good outside in a colder region and with a lot of land to roam, but not in a hot region or in an apartment.

Learning ability

This breed is very smart, learns quickly on his own.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness yes they love their own children, but might be wary of others.

2.Special talents - endurance and stamina are intense with this breed.

3.Adapability – not that good in an apartment as this is a rare working dog.

4.Learning ability - intelligent and willing

However, they are prone to some of the same issues that any big dog would have.

1. Hip/elbow Dysplasia
2. Painful and can cause lameness and arthritis.
3. Patellar luxation
4. This is a moving knee cap. Can be repaired or can cause lameness.
5. Obesity

The breed is prone to obesity if they do not get enough exercise or a decent diet.

Health Problems

The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a few serious health concerns such as:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.

• Eye Diseases – Glaucoma can cause blindness; Entropian – eyelids curl inwards and can damage the cornea.

• Autoimmune thyroiditis – can be treated with medication.
• Ear infections – be sure to keep them clean to prevent this.
• Epilepsy – as many spaniels have. Can be treated with medications.

Feeding the puppy

Should feed a high quality dry puppy food for large dogs. Give 1-2 cups per day split into 2-3 meals.

Feeding the adult

Again you want to feed high quality dry adult dog food for large dogs. Give 3-4 cups per day split into 2 meals. Watch for obesity and if your Gaddi Kutta is gaining too much weight, cut back.

Points for Good Health

The Gaddi Kutti seems to be immune to the most common of canine diseases.

Games and Exercises

This is a breed of very large dogs that need daily exercise by walking and running. However, since they have been fairly isolated in India and the Himalayas, he has not been exposed to organized dog play and exercise such as agility, dock jumping or field trials. He would probably succeed at all three.

1Feeding the puppy active puppy. Feed breed specific or medium breed high quality dogfood. Feed ½ -3/4 cup in 2-3 meals

2.Feeding the adult active breed. Feed breed specific or medium breed high quality dogfood. Feed 1-1/2 cup in 1-2meals

3.Points for Good Health endurance/stamina – can outlast many hunting dogs.

4. Games and Exercises – Needs a secure fenced yard. Loves sports and outdoor activity. Agility, obedience, rally, tracking and loves to run, bike and hike.