PetzloverBlue Paul Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Bulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria. Blue Paul Terrier may grow 19 cm / 7 inches shorter than Bulgarian Shepherd. Blue Paul Terrier may weigh 32 kg / 70 pounds lesser than Bulgarian Shepherd. Blue Paul Terrier may live 45 years less than Bulgarian Shepherd. Both Blue Paul Terrier and Bulgarian Shepherd has same litter size. Blue Paul Terrier requires Low Maintenance. But Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance
Known also as the Scottish Bull Terrier, the Blue Poll or the Blue Poll Bulldog, the Blue Paul Terrier’s origins, as with many unusual dog breeds, are still not known precisely. However they do appear to have been bred with Staffies at some point and appear to have slowly transformed into the Staffie or Pit Bull as we know them today.
There doesn’t seem to be much documentation on the dog’s origins, making many stories of its origins to be looked upon as folklore. It seems as if the dog originated out of Scotland. The name ‘Paul’ is included in the name simply because it is believed that John Paul Jones, who was a sailor, brought the dog to the USA in 1777.
Because this dog has superb fighting skills, it was introduced as part of Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeding in the early 19th century. It is believed that the first dogs came with English immigrants to the United Stated in the middle of the 19th century. At some time, the dog became extinct, but dates of this time can’t be established.
The 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.
The Blue Paul Terrier was a smooth coated, medium sized dog. His coat was mostly dark blue but this sometimes varied to red or brindle. He was a muscled and well built dog, much like our pit bull terriers. He weighed about 20 to 25kg kg, measuring up to 56cm at the withers. He had a broad chest, large head with small cropped ears and a tail that was set low. He is a dog that always stood strongly on his legs. It seems as if he had an aggressive nature as they were used by local dog fighters.
There is not much information on the temperament of the Blue Paul Terrier, but we can assume, that because he was a Terrier, he would have been full of character and self confidence. Most Terriers don’t actively look for a fight, but will certainly get into a fight if provoked. Aggressive by nature and a fighter, the Blue Paul Terrier possibly had some Staffordshire Bull Terrier in him, so his temperament would be that of a fighter.
He may have been able to live peacefully with children and other dogs and cats in the home, but he would no doubt have had to be raised from a puppy in such a household. Stubborn and headstrong, he would require a firm owner who could take charge of him and training would have been imperative for such a dog.
A 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.
Nobody is quite certain what the Blue Paul Terrier was like. He definitely seemed to be a mix of Pit Bull and Staffie – the same compact, muscular build with a look that speaks of confidence and boldness.
Perhaps if the Blue Paul Terrier wasn’t used for fighting, he might well have made a good pet with training and socialization. Nobody really knows. Maybe he was so aggressive that when dog fighting didn’t work out, and it was discovered that he wasn't really pet-material, nobody bothered when the breed went into extinction. That's the thing with Blue Paul Terriers, nobody is really certain about what they were really like.
This 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.
The Blue Paul Terrier Health was generally a healthy dog, but he would no doubt have had the same common dog ailments that most dog breeds have to contend with. All those years ago, when the Blue Paul Terrier was ill, his owner no doubt would have taken him to see the veterinarian for a full screening.
Just like with other dog breeds, he would have been watched for hip dysplasia , ticks and fleas, cataracts and skin infections. It is possible that in those days, owners of the Blue Paul Terrier weren’t aware of how plaque could cause dental problems or gum disease.
The 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.
Because these dogs were used in fighting, it is a breed that no doubt would have required plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep him fighting fit. No doubt he would have received a high quality food to build up his strength and stamina. Because he was no doubt a high energy dog, his owners would have had to give him nutritious food and ensured fresh, clean water for him.
The Blue Paul Terrier had a short, smooth coat, so they were no doubt low maintenance dogs who received a brush down every now and then to remove his loose hair.
These 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.
Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.
Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.
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.