St. John's Water Dog vs Hygenhund - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Hygenhund - Breed ComparisonHygenhund is originated from Norway but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Hygenhund may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than St. John's Water Dog. Hygenhund may weigh 16 kg / 35 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Hygenhund may live 3 years more than St. John's Water Dog. Both Hygenhund and St. John's Water Dog has almost same litter size. Hygenhund requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
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Norway
Canada
Height Male:
48 - 61 cm
18 - 25 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
45 - 58 cm
17 - 23 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Hygen Hound, Hygen Dog
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
sometimes combined with white markings. , chestnut (with or without black shading) and black with bright chestnut colors, yellow and red
black
Coat:
thick, shiny
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

hygenhundThe Hygenhund is a hound from Norway that was developed in the early 1800’s by the Norwegian breeder Hygen. It was developed for hunting small game such as fox, rabbit, hare or racoon. It is known for its endurance and ability to survive travel across vast artic land without fatigue. It was developed by crossing several Norwegian hounds with ones from England and Germany. This includes basset hounds, holsteiner hounds, beagles, Bloodhounds, Scandinavian hounds and English Pointers. The resulting Hygehound is a scent hound whose popularity fell in the 20th century. Most of the remaining dogs today are located in Norway. The Norwegian Kennel Club and the UKC have both recognized the breed yet its numbers remain low. Even at that the breed today remains a great hunting dog but it is also a great companion or family dog.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

Description

Description

hygenhund puppy - descriptionThe Hygenhund has a solid rectangular and compact body with muscular and compact legs and paws. Their heads are shaped like a triangle with dark eyes and a broad skull. The muzzle and neck are long and the topline is even. They carry their tail high, but they do not curl it over their back. They are a medium sized dog with short hair. They have an overabundance of energy and get bored easily. They can come in black with chestnut or white markings, yellow and red, chestnut without or with black markings.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

Characteristics

hygenhund dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – The Hygenhund is very friendly to children and love to play with them.

Special talents

Stamina, intelligence and ability to endure cold climates.

Adaptability

Very adaptable in some ways – enduring cold climates for instance. However, they need a large yard or area to run in. They are not as adaptable in an apartment.

Learning ability

The Hygenhund is very intelligent and a quick learner. They love learning new things.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

Health Problems

The Hygenhund is prone to a variety of health problems including:

  • Kidney Stones/Chronic Kidney Infections
  • Food Allergies
  • Arthritis – can cause lameness
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated
  • Von Willebrands Disease
  • Anesthesia sensitivity
  • Hip Dysplasia – can result in lameness or arthritis

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hygenhund dogs - caringSince the Hygenhund is such a high energy working dog feed a high quality food. Feed 3-4 times a day for a total of 2.3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Again this is a high energy dog. Feed a high protein good quality dog food twice a day for a total of 3-4 cups.

Points for Good Health

Good speed and stamina. Good in cold climates.

Games and Exercises

The Hygenhund needs plenty of exercise to dissipate all its working energy. They will excel at field trials, lure coursing, fly ball, tracking, and agility.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

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