Mucuchies vs Maltese - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Mucuchies vs Maltese - Breed ComparisonMaltese is originated from Italy but Mucuchies is originated from Venezuela. Maltese may grow 46 cm / 18 inches shorter than Mucuchies. Maltese may weigh 56 kg / 123 pounds lesser than Mucuchies. Maltese may live 3 years more than Mucuchies. Maltese may have less litter size than Mucuchies. Maltese requires Moderate Maintenance. But Mucuchies requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
undefined
Italy
Venezuela
Height Male:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
56 - 71 cm
22 - 28 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
51 - 66 cm
20 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
46 - 61 kg
101 - 135 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
47 - 57 kg
103 - 126 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
3 - 8
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Paramo's dog , Venezuelan Sheepdog Dog of Páramos ( Snowy (Nevado)
Colors Available:
White
all white or white with spots of other colors
Coat:
Long and silky
short coats smooth, medium-haired double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

malteseThe Maltese dog hardly needs any introduction as this is an ancient breed which is still as popular as ever. Some people refer to it as the "Maltese Lion Dog," or "Melita" which was Malta’s previous name.

It was in the 19th century, that the Kennel Club settled on the name of Maltese for the dog breed. The dog has been selectively bred to keep its small size. The exact origin of the dog is unknown and there are various stories surrounding where its origins are, thought to be Italy.

It is believed that dogs such as spaniels and poodles have been used to bring about the Maltese. The American Kennel Club, a registry for pure bred dogs, recognized the breed in 1888.

mucuchiesThe Mucuchies are a breed born in the Venezuelan mountains, in the late 1700s. They are rare today but were popular in the mountains for hundreds of years. They are believed to be a cross between the dogs brought by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 14th and 15th centuries and the local dogs. However, by the 1960s this rare breed was close to extinction.

Bred primarily as herders and watchdogs, their ancestry likely included the Algerian Mastiff, the Spanish Mastiff, the Great Pyrenees, and the Atlas Shepherd, otherwise known as the Aidi. The early development of the Mucuchies is attributed to Wilender Ferrari, DVM. At the time, Simon Boliva was fighting for Venezuelan independence in the city of Mucuchies. He adopted a member of the breed and named it for the city. The name stuck as the name for the breed.

Later in this timeframe, the Mucuchies was crossbred with the Pyrenean Mastiffs that friars brought to the Andes from their monasteries. With them, they also brought the sheep for the dogs to herd and guard. During the 1920s the breed spread throughout the country, but by the beginning of the 1960s there was a major decline in the breed. This was partly due to changes in culture and lifestyle in the Andes.

In 1961 a Mucuchies club was formed for the breed preservation and the breed was formally named the National Dog of Venezuela. The club was disbanded in the mid-1960’s and this led the breed to the edge of extinction. By 2008 there was another major push to save the breed. This effort came from the government who wanted to preserve the breed. In 2008, they created the Fundacion Nevado and sent six Mucuchies to the Waraira Repano Cable Car System in the El Avila National Park so that the dogs would be in a climatic environment as similar to the Andes mountain as possible. This was successful and the program was increased by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

As the breed continued to develop the shepherding instincts were lost and the guarding aspects were strengthened. This left today’s Mucuchies as a breed of gentle, active dogs with strong characters and a loving disposition. They are gentle with their families but protective and aggressive with strangers. They are the only native breed of Venezuela and currently, there are programs in the mountains to re-establish and strengthen them.

In addition to their name for the town of Mucuchie, the breed is also called the Paramo’s Dog or the Snowy. These programs exist because in Venezuela they are near extinction once again. This is the result of inbreeding and more cross-breeding, this time with larger dogs like St. Bernards. Thus, the continued efforts by the Nevado Foundation with the assistance of the government to restore the original Mucuchies breed to Venezuela.

Description

maltese puppy - descriptionThe Maltese is looked upon as a toy dog. Both male and female stand roughly between 20-25cm in height and weigh between 1 and 4kg.

He is as cute as a button with a rounded skull, a pitch black nose, brown eyes and medium length floppy ears. The tail is feathery and is curled. He has a long, silky coat without an undercoat.

The color of his coat is pure white, and because he doesn’t shed he is looked upon as being hypoallergenic. Most people who own a Maltese like having the coat short to one length all round.

Temperament:

These little dogs have been bred to be companion dogs. They may be little, but it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as they are inclined to be a bit snappy, especially with children.

He is intelligent, so training him won’t be difficult. Brought up the right way though, he can be good with children as well as pets in the home. They love their human families and want to be constantly with them. He is an energetic little dog too, and will just love ball games both inside and outside.

His very temperament and smallness make it that he fits perfectly into life in the city or the countryside. He is sweet and gentle but he makes a good watchdog, alerting you with his barking to strangers coming close by. Don’t leave him for long period of time as he hates being on his own and then he may start barking from sheer boredom and frustration.

mucuchies puppy - descriptionThe appearance of the Mucuchies is that of a breed of large dogs who stand two feet at the shoulder and can weight one hundred pounds. They have a deep chest, heads that are wedge-shaped and skulls shaped like domes. Their muzzles are straight, and their nostrils are large on their black nose. The Mucuchies have dark eye and eyelids along with ears that are triangular in shape and medium in size. Their lips are black but this and he has a well-developed ruff.

They are large, sturdy dogs with a grand appearance and tremendous energy. Their neck is strong, short and very muscular with wide shoulders and a straight back. The tail is much longer than their hocks and it is shaped like a fan and he raises it when he is alerted. They have a short, thick coat and most are white or white with gray, honey or black. This is a very attractive breed.

Characteristics

maltese dog - characteristicsThe Maltese is a popular dog no doubt, and his smallness is a draw-card as he adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside.

He is loving, loyal, intelligent and responsive, making him a good family dog and being an excellent playmate for children. Teach your children how to respect animals because raucous, disrespectful kids might produce a nip from an agitated Maltese.

Being a light shedder is another draw-card, with him being looked upon as a hypoallergenic breed. He has got so many good things going for him that he is guaranteed to make you an ideal pet.

Children friendliness

mucuchies dog - characteristicsGood with children and very good with their own families. Might be a little standoffish with others.

Special talents

They no longer have the strong herding instinct but are outstanding guard dogs.

Adaptability

Yes but need land to run in. Don’t put this giant dog in an apartment. You will both be miserable.

Learning ability

Very intelligent and their ability and willingness to learn is very good.

Health Problems

maltese puppies - health problemsYour Maltese is a feisty little thing who, with good care, can live for a good few years – up to 15 or even longer. As with any other dog, he can become ill. One or two illnesses to look out for include -

Skin Problems:

Sebaceous adenitis is caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands and is an uncommon skin disease found in some breeds of dog.

There are two types - one for long coated breeds and one for short coated breeds. For long or double-coated dogs, you’ll notice a white/silvery kind of dandruff on the coat as well as hair loss. There can also be skin lesions along the back and ears. It can make your pet miserable and he will need to see a vet.

Thyroid Problems:

A common hormonal problem is canine hypothyroidism, brought on by inadequate levels of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, coldness and a weakened immune system.

mucuchies puppies - health problemsBecause of their rarity and somewhat isolation, they do not have many genetic health concerns. They do however face at least a couple of the issues that most large dogs face.

Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia

This can be a serious issue for such a large dog. It can cause arthritis and lameness.

Accidents

This might be the biggest threat to the Mucuchies’ health. They are big dogs and if they injury limbs it can be quite serious.

Bloat

The distension or inversion of the stomach and intestines is potentially fatal and must be treated immediately. Large dogs are prone to bloat and feeding schedules can go a long way in preventing it.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

maltese dogs - caringYour Maltese is going to require quality food, water, exercise and shelter to enjoy a good life. The type of food you feed any dog has a direct impact on his health.

You need to provide him with quality food, and if its commercially manufactured food, you need to read the labels carefully so that the food is appropriate to your Maltese. For instance, you can’t mistakenly pull a ‘large-breed’ packet of food off the shelves and expect your Maltese to be able to stomach it.

If you do buy him this kibble, make sure the ingredients are wholesome. To break the monotony of eating kibble every day, give him some boiled chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables chopped up finely into his kibble. He will love you for this as it makes a tasty meal for him and will keep him healthy.

Try to keep his diet nice and simple to avoid digestive problems.

Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General Care:

Make sure your Maltese dog has a nice warm, dry place to sleep.

Get him to the vet if you notice that he is ill.

Brush his hair twice a week and take him to have it professionally cut if you prefer.

Clip his nails when they become too long and check around his eyes and inside his ears for any kind of infection.

These little dogs are prone to dental problems and he will need to have his teeth brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

Feeding the puppy

mucuchies dogs - caringAs mentioned in health concerns, feeding appropriately is critical to the Mucuchies’ health. Puppies need a high quality, large breed dry food 2-3 times per day at ½ cup each time. Don’t overfeed. Don’t exercise before or after eating to prevent bloat.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mucuchies should eat at least twice a day for a total of two and one-half cups. So, you might feed one and ¼ cup at each meal. Again, it is critically important that you don’t overfeed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise and don’t let your Mucuchies eat too quickly in order to avoid bloat.

Points for Good Health

This is a large dog with generally very good health. His stamina and heart will impress you.

Games and Exercises

The Mucuchies is not an active inside dog, but he is a large dog that needs daily exercise. They need to be able to run or at least to trot. A large yard or dog bark is necessary. However, this big, double coated dog hates the hot weather and needs a cooler climate. Winter is fine with him. Don’t overwork them while they are growing. Walks are the best exercise for this breed.

Comparison with other breeds

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