Chinese Chongqing Dog vs Caucasian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

This working dog is more than 2 000 years old, hailing from the Caucasus Mountains near the Georgian Republic, Russia.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is an ancient breed, always having been used to guard livestock in the mountains. Some believe they came from domesticated wolves, while others believe their ancestry includes Mastiffs and other breeds.

It was in the 1960s that the dog was used in Germany for patrol along the Berlin Wall. This dog is also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka and he is large and powerful, always being ready to take on anyone who threatens him or the livestock he is guarding.

His origins can be traced far back and eventually the dog found its ways to the USA where dog clubs were formed.The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is one of the oldest Molosser breeds, and today they are mostly appreciated for being wonderful family companions and watchdogs.

The Chinese Chongquing Dog is a very rare and unusual breed found only in China and now in Canada. The Chongquing is native to the city of Chongquing, China. This is an ancient breed that is believed to have lived in China over 2000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. It was a hunter and protector and still functions in those roles today., although there are very few left in China. Following the revolution and creation of the People’s Republic of China, the CQ Dog was only found in the rural areas of the country.

Pottery versions of the Chongquing Dog and burial figurines have been found in excavation sites from tombs of the Han Dynasty. In this isolated and mountainous area of eastern China, the dogs were unknown throughout the rest of China. Because of this the breed is relatively untouched by human intervention and is today about the same as it was 2000 years ago. There has been no interbreeding to change the natural evolution of the breed. They have their own unique personalities and temperaments.

At this time, it is believed that the Chongquing Dog is more endangered and rarer than the panda. Current breeding is diluting the breed as there are so few true bloods cross breeding and inbreeding is occurring. The knowledge of the exact breeds that contributed to the original Chongquing Dog was lost ages ago. The CQ Dog is known for loyalty, noble character, bravery and protecting its own. Today there is one kennel breeding these dogs outside China in Canada.

The Caucasian Shepherd is a large, impressive looking dog standing at between 64 – 75cm in height and weighing between 45 – 70 kg. He has an almost bear-like appearance. His coat can be shortish or even fairly long, and in different colors such as white, tan, brindle, grey and cream with a black mask.

The puppies are born black and then lighten as they grow up. He has a large head with the muzzle being smaller than the skull, narrowing slightly. The nose is black and the ears are set high and are floppy with dark eyes. The tail is set high and is long.

Temperament:

The Caucasian Shepherd is an intelligent breed but he must be properly trained and socialized as he can be stubborn and want to go his own way.

He is a balanced dog and he won’t deliberately hurt whom he regards as family, but he shows distrust towards strangers. While socialization and training relax and calm a dog, the Caucasian Shepherd isn’t regarded as the best dog to have with children around. This is because he comes from a lineage of guard dogs, bred to fight and guard.

He is a dog breed that will require a firm, strong owner and if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, the Caucasian can be difficult to manage and perhaps isn’t the best choice for a first-time dog owner.

This breed is not well known, even in China. However, its likeness has been found in pottery dating back to the Han Dynasty. It is now beginning to be show in select dog shows. The general appearance upon which a current standard is being developed includes:

The Chongquing is a medium sized, compact and square dog that is powerful, muscular and strong. He is unique in appearance, tail and coat. His head is large, broad and flat. There are wrinkles from the muzzle to the forehead between his eyes. His eyes are brown, and the rims are black. He has high set, small ears that are triangle shape. Its frame is sturdy and strong. He is very muscular, and his strength and speed are explosive.

The Chongqing Dog can be one of three sizes: small, medium and large. All are hunters, but each hunted different prey. The appearance of all three sizes are proportionally the same.

Loyal, strong, and brave, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog does an excellent job protecting his human family. He is a territorial dog and in the past he has always been ready to take on wolves and bear to protect his sheep. He isn't the best choice for first time dog-owners and where there are small children in the home.

He will do well to be trained and socialized as he becomes an obedient, patient, gentle, loving pet that becomes an excellent companion and protector.

The Chongqing Dog is a confident, passionate, fearless and loyal dog. He is brave, alert, thoughtful and elegant. They make good companions for their people, but they are very wary of strangers and are ready to attack in order to protect their people. They are affectionate and loving with their people, including older children. They should never be off-leash in the company of other dogs.

Like all breeds there may be some health issues, even though the Caucasian Shepherd is generally a healthy dog. There are some common illnesses that every dog can get and which every responsible dog owner should be aware of -

Diarrhea:

One or two episodes of diarrhea isn’t an emergency, but ongoing diarrhea can lead to dehydration. If your dog is vomiting, he is lethargic and constantly emptying his bowels, see your vet if the diarrhea persists.

Parasites:

Parasites such as fleas and ticks and even internal parasites such as intestinal worms can drain the life from your pet. It is wise to find out about different parasites so that you can protect your dog. Find out what your vet’s treatment options are for parasites.

The Chinese Chongqing Dog is a very healthy breed by reason of its isolation and seclusion in the far regions of eastern China. There has been no human intervention in the natural development of this breed and no health issues have followed.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a thick double coat that will certainly require brushing twice a week. The coat comes in different lengths – short, medium and long. The hair is mostly long and the long tail is also feathery. The best way to groom your large, furry pet is to invest in some good grooming tools such as a good brush to keep your pet’s hair in tip-top condition.

His nails will need to be trimmed regularly, his ears will also need to be checked to avoid wax build-up and the accumulation of grime. This can lead to an ear infection. His teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Exercise:

The Caucasian Shepherd isn’t going to do well in a small home with tiny garden in the city. He is a big dog that will require a large yard even though he is a fairly low-energy dog. He will be suited to a family that is active, that will take him on daily walks, hikes and include some ball games.

Diet:

You will need to change your Caucasian Shepherd Dog’s food as he goes through the different phases of his life, from puppy to adulthood. Speak to your veterinarian about a commercially produced dog food is you’re unable to give him home-made food. These foods are available in breed-specific and age-specific formulas.

Reputable breeders will also help you ensure that you know how to start feeding your puppy. Caucasian Shepherds are a large breed and apart from their kibble, you’ll want to include rice, vegetables and cooked chicken from time to time in his kibble and also include raw meat occasionally.

If you're unsure, ask your veterinarian or breeder about the best diet to ensure his longevity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Feeding

The best food for this dog is made yourself of human grade foods. Either raw or cooked yourself . This will keep their skin, teeth and coat healthy.

Health issues

This is a really healthy breed especially due to the isolation and natural selection of their history.

Exercise and games

He needs about 30 minutes of exercise today. He has no history of participation in canine games.