Bulgarian Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Bulgarian Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonCao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal but Bulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria. Cao da Serra de Aires may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Bulgarian Shepherd. Cao da Serra de Aires may weigh 30 kg / 66 pounds lesser than Bulgarian Shepherd. Cao da Serra de Aires may live 43 years less than Bulgarian Shepherd. Cao da Serra de Aires may have less litter size than Bulgarian Shepherd. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
undefined
Portugal
Bulgaria
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
45 - 57 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
5 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Colors Available:
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
BlackWhiteTricolor
Coat:
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Single
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

cao da serra de airesAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

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.

Description

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

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.

Characteristics

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

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.

Health Problems

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

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.

Caring The Pet

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

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.

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