Mucuchies vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison

Mucuchies vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed ComparisonKarelian Bear Dog is originated from Finland but Mucuchies is originated from Venezuela. Karelian Bear Dog may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Mucuchies. Karelian Bear Dog may weigh 38 kg / 83 pounds lesser than Mucuchies. Both Karelian Bear Dog and Mucuchies has same life span. Both Karelian Bear Dog and Mucuchies has same litter size. Karelian Bear Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Mucuchies requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
Finland
Venezuela
Height Male:
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
56 - 71 cm
22 - 28 inches
Height Female:
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
51 - 66 cm
20 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 23 kg
44 - 51 pounds
46 - 61 kg
101 - 135 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 23 kg
44 - 51 pounds
47 - 57 kg
103 - 126 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Karjalankarhukoira
Paramo's dog , Venezuelan Sheepdog Dog of Páramos ( Snowy (Nevado)
Colors Available:
Black and White
all white or white with spots of other colors
Coat:
Shortish and dense
short coats smooth, medium-haired double coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

karelian bear dogThe Karelian Bear Dog is a Finnish Spitz-type dog who is regarded as a national treasure in the country. They have always been noted for their hunting skills, and because the dog has been found in ancient Viking graves you can assume it is an ancient breed.

In fact the ancestry of the dog can be traced to neolithic times, when dogs followed human settlers to regions of Scandinavia and Europe.The American Kennel Club does not fully recognize the Karelian Bear Dog. It is however included in their Foundation Stock Service.

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

karelian bear dog puppy - descriptionStanding at between 54–60cm in height and weighing roughly 20–23 kg, the medium sized Karelian Bear Dog has a beautiful shiny coat. The outercoat is shortish, straight and dense and the undercoat is soft and thick.

The color of the coat is black with white markings. The dog has a bushy tail which curls in a circle over the back and the tail’s end is white. The ears of the dog are small and erect while the small eyes are intense.

Temperament:

It is best to have your Karelian Bear dog trained and socialized as he can tend to be aggressive towards other pets in the house, and even towards people he isn't familiar with. The owner of these dogs must be firm and fair with training as the Karelian is a strong-willed dog.

He is devoted to his human owners while being somewhat aloof and unfriendly with strangers. They are very territorial.

He is a very social dog and just loves spending time outdoors with his family. He is also good with children in the home as he is a playful dog.He is a dog who is going to require a lot of space to use up his energy. He needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation, as in the past he has always had a lot of work to do, and just loves being active. He is a confident, brave dog who takes his job as family protector seriously.

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

karelian bear dog dog - characteristicsYour energetic Karelian Bear Dog isn’t recommendeded for life in the city in a small garden. He needs a large garden or farm where he can run far and wide.

Exercising him will be an important part if you own one of these dogs. He is a social, friendly, active family pet who happens to make a good watchdog too.

Make sure you have your Karelian Bear Dog trained and socialized and he’ll make you a wonderful friend and 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

karelian bear dog puppies - health problemsThe Karelian Bear Dog can reach 10 to 12 years of age with good care, but just like with other dog breeds, he can be prone to certain health problems such as eye and dental problems as well as hip dysplasia.

Many people don’t realize that dental problems are far more serious than what they imagine. An offensive breath can be the first warning sign of tooth decay with your canine friend.

There are other problems that can develop orally for your dog and these include inflammation of the gums, swollen gums and mouth tumors. You need to brush your pet’s teeth but also see to it that he goes for regular dental check-ups at the vet.

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

karelian bear dog dogs - caringThere are many people who just keep a dog for watchdog purposes and fail to make the pet a proper family member by meeting its physical and emotional needs.

Caring for a dog means providing nutritious food and clean drinking water, seeing that he has a warm, dry place to sleep, providing the dog with exercise and ensuring the dog is healthy and content.

Caring for a dog is a big responsibility, and you have to think carefully before you bring a dog into your home and life.

You need to be careful with the food you select for your pet. If you’re feeding him a commercially manufactured food, you need to make sure to read the label and make sure the top ingredients are meat and not meat by-products. If this is something you’ve never thought about, ask your veterinarian for food recommendations.

Speaking of veterinarians, make sure you have a reliable, reputable vet you can call on. At some time or other your pet may get sick and then you want to have the name of a reliable vet in your contacts list on your cell phone. Sometimes your pet can become suddenly sick where he will need immediate, emergency help from the vet.

Just like you look after yourself, you need to look after your pet by brushing him, checking him for fleas, ticks and worms and keeping an eye on his eyes, ears, teeth and general health.

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. Karelian Bear Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Karelian Bear Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Karelian Bear Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Karelian Bear Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Karelian Bear Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Karelian Bear Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Karelian Bear Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Karelian Bear Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Karelian Bear Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Karelian Bear Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Karelian Bear Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Karelian Bear Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Karelian Bear Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Karelian Bear Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Karelian Bear Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Karelian Bear Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Karelian Bear Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Karelian Bear Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Karelian Bear Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Karelian Bear Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Karelian Bear Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Karelian Bear Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Karelian Bear Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Karelian Bear Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Karelian Bear Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison