Kintamani vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison

The Irish Mastiff Hound is a huge dog – a mix of the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound.

Both of these dogs have been around for a long time and actually have ancient histories. The Mastiff for instance has origins that date back to ancient times in China, while the Irish Wolfhound has origins that date far back to 391 AD.

Today this dog is regarded as an excellent companion for any home.

The Kintamani dog is an ancient cross-breed and hails from Bali Island, Indonesia.

The beautiful dog is classified into the working dog group.

It isn't sure how the dog developed, and it is believed that local Balinese feral dogs might have had a show in with bring the breed about. There are many stories regarding the origination of this breed but in 2006 the dog got recognition in Bali under the category 'distinct' dog breed.

There are efforts to see the Kintamani dog get global recognition.

This is a large crossbreed which can stand at 85 to 91 cm in height and weigh in the region of 47kg to 74kg.

He essentially has the short, smooth coat of the Mastiff but other dogs may well inherit the longer, more wiry coat of the Wolfhound. Coloring of the coat can be quite varied and can be brown, grey, white, tan or black. Some dogs take more after the Mastiff while others have more Wolfhound characteristics. They have a large head, some have a somewhat wrinkly face because of the Mastiff side, the ears are fairly small and floppy and the tail is long.

Temperament:

Even though they're so huge, these are easy going dogs that are able to fit in well with most human families. Described as gentle giants, they are loving, loyal, easy-going, even-tempered and eager to please.

The Irish Mastiff does well in the city or in the country because he isn't particularly active and will be happy to have a comfortable spot to lie close to you, however with such a large dog, you will certainly need a garden.

Looking quite a bit like the Malamute, Chow and Samoyed, the Kintamani is a medium sized dog and has a broad face, erect ears, dark-brown eyes and a thickly plumed tail that is essentially held high.

The Kintamani is a Spitz type dog with an attractive appearance. Standing at 40 to 55cm, the Kintamani weighs in at roughly 13 to 17kg. The colors of the medium to long haired coat are white, beige, black and even brindle, though less common.

Temperament:

Having an independent nature and being territorial, your Kintamani can become aggressive with other dogs. He is very loving and accepting of his human family members though, becoming very loyal to one favorite family member.

They're alert and curious and make good watchdogs. He is also fond of swimming and climbing so he makes a good sport companion.

He is an intelligent dog and he can be easy to train. He is strong-minded and an independent thinker, so training and socialization will rein him in a bit and make him obedient and amicable.

Your big Irish Mastiff Hound is cool, confident and calm. He isn't particularly energetic and as long as he gets a nice walk as well as some mental stimulation, he'll be happy, wanting to spend a good part of the day lying close to where you are.

Socialization and training will be good for him and he learns easily. He is just a big gentle giant who promises to make you a wonderful canine friend.

The Kintamani dog is an alert, bright, intelligent dog who will make you a good watchdog.

He also makes a companionable pet, and is friendly, loving and loyal to his human family. He has a social, lively temperament, and as people see what awesome pets they make, they are becoming more in demand as they are also easily trainable.

Do your duty towards this attractive dog and love and care for him like any other family member and he’ll be your most devoted best friend.

Many people find giant dogs irresistible because they're usually gentle, patient and loving. However, it is their very size which makes them more prone to certain health concerns and gives them a shorter lifespan.

It is why it is so important to ensure you feed your pet a healthy diet to ward off illness. A large dog like the Irish Mastiff doesn't have a particularly long lifespan, and with good care he can get to 9, 10, 11, 12 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This condition is more common in large dogs and it can lead to joint degeneration, arthritis and pain. Your pet may even be reluctant to get up and greet you when you come home which can be very sad. Vet intervention will certainly be required.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This heart disease is commonly seen in large dog breeds where the heart becomes weak so that it can't pump blood throughout the body. Coughing, difficulty with breathing, weakness and lethargy are just some of the symptoms of this disease and will also require veterinary intervention.

You’re the only one who knows your dog, so you’re the one who will pick up signs that he isn’t well.

You can tell a lot from your dog’s behavior, and often a dog that isn’t well will hide away in a corner. If you're worried about your pet’s health, get him to the vet for peace of mind.

Being a responsible dog owner requires you regularly performing body checks on your pet.

Parvo in Dogs:

The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a very contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The intestinal form will have your dog vomiting, he won’t want to eat and he’ll have diarrhea.

The other less common type is the cardiac parvo where the heart muscle of a fetus is attacked, leading in all likelihood to death. Thankfully the incidence of the parvo-virus infection has been reduced by vaccination of puppies.

Lyme Disease in Dogs:

This is a tick-borne illness that is transmitted through deer ticks. It is a disease more typically seen in dogs from the northeast United States. Common signs of the illness are lameness, lethargy and enlarged lymph nodes. Most dogs respond well to antibiotic treatment.

Ears Infections:

Take a look inside your dog’s ears and check for itchiness, discharge and redness. Inside the dog’s ears it is very sensitive so if you don’t want to clean his ears, rather leave you vet to do it as you don’t want to perforate your dog’s eardrums.

Grooming:

He has a short coat, and grooming of this laid-back dog will include brushing him twice a week, trimming his nails and making sure that you check inside his ears for ear infection.

Diet:

Large dogs have special nutritional needs, particularly because they are more prone to illnesses such as hip dysplasia. You want to make sure that the foods he eats are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, amino acids and antioxidants because these will ensure proper joint health.

You've got to be careful what you feed a large breed dog because of the weight management issue too. Excess weight puts stress on the joints and promotes the development of osteoarthritis. Speak to your vet about portion control and meat protein for your pet and how to ensure excellent nutrition to avoid common dog illnesses.

Fresh, cool water needs to be available to your pet every minute of the night and day.

Grooming:

The thick, lustrous coat of the Kintamani will need to be brushed twice a week because the coat is capable of getting burrs in. He sheds, so to keep the coat lustrous you want to be brushing him twice a week to remove all those loose hairs.

Exercise:

The dog can adjust to life in the city or the countryside, but being energetic it is best that they have a reasonable sized garden or life on a farm. He will be quite happy with some good walks, but he'll want some more rough and tumble. He just loves joining you on a hike and climbing on rocks. These dogs are actually known for their climbing skills.

Diet:

Kibble isn’t all equal, and dog owners have a huge choice, with the idea being to find the most nutritious one. Good food is key to good health for your Kintamani.

Your Kintamani puppy will require 4 meals a day. As he reaches adulthood you can start feeding him one or two meals a day.

The Kintamani has a beautiful thick coat and you want to ensure it stays that way by feeding him the best quality food there is. Top-quality dry food from a reputable brand will ensure balanced nutrition.

Read the packaging to ensure you’re giving him food that is appropriate to his age and for medium sized dogs. He will do well on some cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables being added to this dry kibble every now and again as a treat.

If you’re unsure about whether he is getting the right kind of food in with a good balance of vitamins and minerals, you can always speak to your vet. Make sure that fresh, cool water is constantly available to him and wash his food and drink bowls regularly.