Pachon Navarro vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Pachon Navarro vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed ComparisonBulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria but Pachon Navarro is originated from Spain. Bulgarian Shepherd may grow 18 cm / 8 inches higher than Pachon Navarro. Bulgarian Shepherd may weigh 24 kg / 53 pounds more than Pachon Navarro. Bulgarian Shepherd may live 42 years more than Pachon Navarro. Both Bulgarian Shepherd and Pachon Navarro has almost same litter size. Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance. But Pachon Navarro requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Gun dog
undefined
Bulgaria
Spain
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
48 - 57 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
48 - 57 cm
18 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
27 - 33 kg
59 - 73 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
27 - 33 kg
59 - 73 pounds
Life Span:
45 - 57 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Navarra Pointer
Colors Available:
BlackWhiteTricolor
white and black, White and brown, white and an orangey color - ticking or freckles
Coat:
Single
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bulgarian shepherdThe Bulgarian Shepard Dog comes from the ancient line of Molossers of Central Asia and Tibet, and the shepherds of the Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus. Among the oldest and most valued of the working dogs of Europe, the Bulgarian Shepherd breed was created by mixing the Balkan breeds with the dogs from Central Asia by the proto-Bulgarians around the 7th century. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Mixing this breed in with the Balkan and Central Asian mix developed the Bulgarian Shepherd we know today. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. Although the breeds are not the same, most of the dog world does not know the difference.

In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. One Kuche could run up to 1200 animals and hundreds were used by the herdsmen in the mountains of Bulgaria. There were many regional types of Bulgarian Shepherds with very little difference between those types. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Bulgarian Shepherd lives a long life of often over 20 years. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century.

Following World War II, the wolves were close to extinction and property in Bulgaria was nationalized. There was no longer a need for a large force of working dogs. The Communist government exterminated large numbers of sheep dogs including the Bulgarian Shepherd. Only those species on government owned farms and in remote regions survived. When the government farms were disbanded in the early 20th century, these dogs were exterminated as well. Only those in the mountains survived. Commercial breeding of the Bulgarian Shepherd in the end of the century has resulted in controversy as other breeds came into the breeding program.

Use of breeds such as Sarplaninacs, Caucasian Ovcharkas, St. Bernards, Central Asian Ovcharkas and Bosnian Tornjaks in these programs resulted in Bulgarian Shepherd or Karakachans that were a lot different from the original breed. There is therefore some concern about the future of the breed in Bulgaria, yet they received official Bulgarian national recognition in 2000. Today’s Bulgarian Shepherd is a guard dog for both property and livestock.

The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. Only those dogs that meet this standard are considered “true” Karakachans. The Bulgarian Shepherds are willing to fight bears and wolves in defense of its family and flock. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They are recognized by both the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology (BRFC) a member of the FCI.

pachon navarroKnown also as the Navarra Pointer, this is a Spanish hunting dog native to Navarre, Spain and descended from the extinct Old Spanish Pointer.

Major kennel clubs don’t recognize this dog as a standardized breed, but the Spanish Kennel Club has accepted the Pachón Navarro as a breed.

It is believed that this dog has also descended from other hounds as well as the Talbot hounds. It isn’t a new breed as it is thought that the dog originated in the 12th century already. There were times when the dog almost became extinct but efforts to preserve it have been made and to also establish it as a standardized breed.

Description

bulgarian shepherd puppy - descriptionA massive, powerful and muscular Molosser, the Bulgarian Shepherd is strong, agile, powerful and fast. They are intelligent and reliable. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. Their skull is massive and broad with a furrowed forehead. The muzzle is massive as well while the nose has wide nostrils and is fairly large. It has close fitting, thick lips with strong, scissor bite jaws. The Bulgarian Shepherd’s eyes are deep, oblique and small. They are either hazel or dark. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression.

Their ears are low set, small and v-shaped. They sit close to the head which sits on a powerful but short neck. They have a broad back, well-muscled body with a deep chest and long, rough tail. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. There are two types of coats – longhaired and shorthaired with no undercoats.

pachon navarro puppy - descriptionThis dog is large sized, standing at between 48 and 57cm in height and weighing between 27 and 33kg. A most unusual feature and characteristic unseen in dogs in general is his split or double nose. The nose of the dog serves the same purpose however, as with any other dog.

The head is fairly large with a broad forehead. The broad head of the dog is generally solid colored. The coat of the coat of the dog is short and of a hard texture. Colors of the coat are white and brown or white and black or white and an orangey color with ticking.

The eyes are large and brown, the ears are long and broad with a rounded tip and the tail is long too. These dogs have a strong, sturdy body with strong legs.

Temperament:

The Pachon Navarro is a friendly, social, intelligent, loving and loyal dog. He is also gentle and docile with an amicable nature, making him a splendid choice for those with children in the home as well as pets.

He is athletic and energetic and is going to need a good dose of daily exercise. Apart from their strong hunting instincts, they make excellent family pets and companions and is most certainly not a dog to be put outdoors day after day without the contact of his human family.

He is intelligent and a quick learner and will benefit from training and socialization as this makes him obedient and it also bring about positive changes with any bad behavior from this excellent pet.

He requires a kind, firm, patient and consistent owner. This particular dog won’t be suited to living in a tiny property in the city, as they require a lot of space to run and exercise.

Characteristics

bulgarian shepherd dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog, intelligent and independent guard dog. Reserved around strangers but loyal and devoted with his family. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. He is quite capable of making her own independent decisions. These are very intense guard dogs that will respond aggressively if they think their people are being attacked.

pachon navarro dog - characteristicsThe Pachón Navarro is an active, friendly, playful, affectionate dog and he makes a great family pet. He will however want lots of outdoor exercise, making him a suitable companion for active owners. Inactive city dwellers should think of keeping a more docile kind of indoor pet.

Your Pachón Navarro just loves the company of his human family and will be dejected if made to spend all his time outside and away from his owner.

He also takes his role as guardian and protector seriously. Give him what he requires and make him part of the family and he will be a most remarkable friend and companion.

Health Problems

bulgarian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe breed itself is known to be healthy but they do face some of the usual health issues of the massive, giant breeds. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. All of these conditions require medical intervention, but bloat and osteosarcoma are the deadliest. Bloat needs immediate attention and osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer.

pachon navarro puppies - health problemsPachon Navarros are generally healthy dogs and you’re not likely to spend much time at the vets with these dogs. They can reach up to 15 years of age if looked after well, but with the long ears they are prone to ear infections.

Moisture, wax and dirt can all build up inside the dog's ears and this can cause a painful ear infection with the dog scratching and pawing at his ear.

Bloat is another illness to look out for and you'll notice your dog is lethargic and has a swollen, hard stomach with gas being trapped inside. The condition is life threatening and will require a trip to the vet.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

bulgarian shepherd dogs - caringThese are large dogs with large appetites, but you want to keep them lean and active. Feed them at least twice a day with a high quality large or giant dog dry food. Four to five cups of food per day is the maximum.

Health issues

Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.

Bloat - distended or twisted stomach. Can cause death.

Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.

Entropion – eye issues when the eyelid turns inward and damages the eye.

Hip Dysplasia – May cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

The Bulgarian Shepherd needs a good amount of exercise every day. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. Long walks every day are essential for his well-being.

pachon navarro dogs - caringYour Pachon Navarros is a low maintenance dog and you will just be required to give him a good brush. He is a moderate shedder and this brushing down will keep the skin and coat healthy.

Because of his long, floppy ears, you will need to check inside them because moisture, dirt and wax can build up and encourage an ear infection. Don’t try to clean inside your pet’s ears if you’re not sure how, rather find out about cleaning the ears from the vet.

The nails will also need to be clipped as well as checking regularly on the eyes and teeth.

Diet:

Your Pachon Navarro is a hardworking dog and you want to ensure tasty, palatable food that is properly digested and eliminated without problems. If you feed your dog a commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality and check out the labels.

Make sure that the food doesn’t contain lots of preservatives, colorants and fillers. Some of the best kibble has the right balance of vitamins and minerals in them. With these kind of hunting dogs, it is best to feed your dog hours before vigorous exercise such as a hunt.

Try and vary the regular kibble by adding in simple, but tasty home-made food occasionally. Dogs appreciate simple food without spices and exotic ingredients as its keeps their stomachs free from pain, gas and bloat.

Some chopped up boiled chicken, some brown rice or pasta and some vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach is super healthy for your pet as well as adding in a little bit of raw meat from time to time.

Remember clean, fresh water must be constantly available.

Comparison with other breeds

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