Cockapoo vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison

The Cão de Gado Transmontano which is also known as the Transmontano Mastiff or Transmontano Cattle Dog is a large dog – in fact a giant dog breed. This is a rare molosser working dog, hailing from the region of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province in Portugal.

The large dog has always been used to herd livestock and to also ward off wolves. It is believed that the dog’s roots come from the Tibetan Mastiff as well as a Portuguese cattle dog known as the Rafeiro do Alentejo. The dog also shares some similarities with the short-haired Estrela Mountain Dog.

In 1995 the breed was still exclusive to Portugal, but now the breed has been imported to Oregon, USA to be part of an experiment to document bigger breeds and their role in protecting livestock from wolves. They were re-introduced to north-east Oregon from 2008.

The gorgeous Cockapoo is a mixed-breed dog. He comes from mixing the Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle.Both these dogs have their own histories.

Known as a ‘designer dog’, the Cockapoo has been around since the 1950s in the United States already, although pure-breed associations don’t recognize the Cockapoo. There are some dog clubs that are working to establish the Cockapoo as a recognized breed.The Cockapoo Club of America was founded in 1998.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a large dog, believed to be the biggest of the Portuguese dog breeds. He is powerful and muscular with a large head and can stand up to 83cm in height and can weigh up to 65kg.

He is tough, and is quite comfortable living outside. He is a long-legged dog with a wide chest with medium length floppy ears and a long tail. The coat is fairly short although it can be in a variety of lengths. It is the medium length coated dog with the right coloring that is looked upon as a pure breed. The dog is white with large patches of brown, fawn, grey, brindle and black shades.

Temperament:

The Transmontano Mastiff is an intelligent, obedient dog who is also independent and stubborn. As with all dogs, it is important to have him trained and socialized as this makes him obedient and eager to please. He loves to be patted by his owners and is a dog which is easy to train, responding well to firmness and fairness.

He is calm and somewhat docile but at the same time he is energetic and alert, making him a good watchdog. He won’t do well cooped up in a tiny space. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home.

The Cockapoo is a mixed breed- or hybrid dog that has become very popular in recent years. He is a small dog, but robust, and stands between 25 – 38cm in height and weighs between 5 and 11kg.

The Cockapoo has floppy ears, and the tail has always been docked to give the dog an attractive, distinctive look. Without tail docking, the natural tail is long.

The coat color of cockapoos is varied and can be anything like tan, white, cream, blonde, brown or black and sometimes even a combination of these colors. Cockapoo coats can vary from silky smooth to tight curls, although they usually fall somewhere in between.

He is a low shedder and you’ll often hear him being described as hypoallergenic, which is an advantage for Cockapoo owners who might be allergic to pet hair.

Temperament:

He is small and robust, always ready for a game and is loving, with a sweet, alert expression on his face. Even as an adult, his antics and looks make one think that he is just a big puppy.

He makes a wonderful pet and gets on well with adults and children as well as other pets. He is intelligent and can be easily trained, and when you shower him with attention he is a happy, energetic, social, fun-loving dog who goes out of his way to please you and be the perfect pet.

The personality of the Cockapoo isn’t set in stone and while one dog may be territorial and somewhat aggressive, others aren’t. Many dogs simply turn out according to the way they are raised.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano may look like a fairly formidable dog but they aren’t aggressive. They are full of courage and are above all, loving and loyal to their human family.

When you choose to have one of these large dogs as your pet, it is important to make sure he knows that you’re the leader. With training and socialization this dog is a gentle giant who makes an exceptional family pet.

Cockapoos have become popular pets because they have a host of good qualities from both the breeds that make this pet – the cocker spaniel and the poodle.

They are jaunty, sweet looking, amicable, social, fun-loving, devoted, loyal, loving and low-shedding as an added perk. He loves spending time with his human family and will become unhappy and bored if he isn’t made to feel absolutely part of the family.

Look after your Cockapoo, because when you provide him with good food, you take time to exercise him and you love him to bits, you’ll find that you’ve got in him all the makings of a wonderful friend.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a tough dog, used to spending long hours outside guarding sheep. These days however, he is also a companion dog and you’ll want to be aware of some common dog ailments that can strip him of his health and his joy of life.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a looseness with the hip joint, and while it can occur with all dogs, it is more common in large dogs. It’s a disease which can lead to arthritis, pain and also joint degeneration. It’s a disease which can be debilitating for the dog and you will need to get your dog to the vet.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This is a heart disease seen in large breed dogs and where the heart becomes weak and can’t properly pump blood throughout the body. Symptoms include coughing, weakness, difficulty with breathing as well as a fluid-distended abdomen.

The Cockapoo is generally a healthy, good tempered, mix-breed dog and with good care he can live to be anything from 13 – 15 years of age and even older.

Although you’re not likely to find any serious health problems with the Cockapoo, it is wise to know that there are many common dog illnesses that attack any dog, including the Cockapoo. Some of these are hip dysplasia, ear infections, dental disease which can affect other parts of the body as well as eye disorders.

Referring to ear infections, as a long-eared dog, the ears will need to be cleaned with the Cockapoo to avoid ear infections. Simple cleaning methods are explained at the veterinarian. Some eye conditions like progressive retina atrophy are common in both the dogs that make the Cockapoo.

Diet:

Just because this is a large dog, doesn’t mean you need to over-feed him. He is muscular and athletic, and by watching his diet, he’ll continue to be strong, lean and healthy. You can feed him a top quality pet-food brand and include boiled chicken, rice and vegetables. Every now and then mix in some raw meat with his dog food to ensure that his skin remains free of rashes and itchiness. Fresh, cool water must be available to him day and night as he drinks abundantly.

Grooming:

Some dog breeds need to be trimmed or stripped to look good, and dog owners often invest in expensive equipment to groom their pets themselves, Fortunately the large Cão de Gado Transmontano is a low maintenance dog and all you’ll need to do is give him a good brush-down twice a week.

Check his eyes, ears, teeth and nails regularly. Remember that dental hygiene is imperative and special canine toothbrush and toothpaste is available to brush your dog’s teeth 2 or 3x a week to get rid of plaque and to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Grooming:

The Cockapoo can have a long, straightish coat or it can be wavy or curly. The coat will need a good brushing at least twice a week to avoid matting. He may well need a trip to the doggy parlor to have his hair professionally clipped.

What is also noticeable about this dog is that he is odorless too. Bathing him doesn’t have to be a regular occurrence at all, as too much bathing strips the coat of its natural oils, irritating and drying out the skin.

Exercise:

The Cockapoo is an energetic little dog and he will require exercise from you. Make it fun for him seeing that he is a fun loving dog, and take him on walks and have ball games with him.

Diet:

There are many different commercially produced dog foods, and some of the top quality ones offer an excellent mix of meat, fish or poultry in them with vitamins and minerals.

These top quality foods are usually found at your vet or in special pet stores and are not ordinarily found at the supermarket. Make sure to feed your Cockapoo the right amount of food according to the label on the packaging.

You can also include cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken into his kibble to give him some variety and give him some raw meat in his diet from time to time. This will help with avoiding skin allergies. Make sure he always has access to clean, cool water.