Pyrenean Mastiff is originated from Spain but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Pyrenean Mastiff may grow 29 cm / 12 inches higher than St. John's Water Dog. Pyrenean Mastiff may weigh 59 kg / 131 pounds more than St. John's Water Dog. Both Pyrenean Mastiff and St. John's Water Dog has almost same life span. Pyrenean Mastiff may have more litter size than St. John's Water Dog. Both Pyrenean Mastiff and St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance.
The Pyrenean Mastiff originates from Spain, descending from ancient livestock guardian-type dogs.
They have always been used as guardians, looking out for livestock and warding off predators.
When you do research you find that there is little information on the exact origins of the dog. It was only in recent years that the dog was taken out of its native region and sent to the USA, but it isn’t recognized by the AKC.
The dog was however recognized by the FCI in 1982.
The 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.
This is a beautiful big dog, strong and muscular. He stands at between 75 and 82cm in height and weighs between 70 and 100kg, males and females.
He has a thick double coat which is fairly long and which also sheds regularly. The coat is essentially white in color with large markings of reddish brown, tan, grey or black.
The Pyrenean Mastiff has a large head with a black nose, small, dark eyes, floppy, medium sized ears and a long tail with lush hair growth.
Large he may be, but the Pyrenean Mastiff is a docile dog that gets on well with children as well as with other pets. He is intelligent but also strong willed and independent, making him a little bit difficult to handle if he chooses to ignore your commands.
Training and socialization will be required if you want him to be obedient and well mannered. He can do well with you as a novice pet owner, so long as you are firm, consistent, kind, patient and fair in your handling of the Pyrenean Mastiff.
Even with socialization, he tends to be wary around strangers and becomes quite protective around his human family.
He is a calm dog that doesn’t require a whole lot of exercise, but he isn’t suited to life on a small property in the city as he needs a lot of space to feel content and at ease.
St. 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.
These beautiful dogs have always been extraordinary guarding dogs, but he has some other excellent characteristics that make him such a great companion.
He is a loyal, loving dog and easy to train.
You just have to think twice before you take such a large dog into your home, as he doesn’t like to be cooped up in small spaces. He will also eat a lot too.
You want to know that you can provide the Pyrenean Mastiff with all these things. If you have the means to keep such a large pet, then he will make you a splendid canine companion.
This is a fairly healthy dog breed, particularly when you consider what a big dog he is. There are always some health concerns to watch for so that you can take steps to get your pet well again.
There is tartar build-up on the teeth and this can lead to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Rotting teeth can cause pain, but more worrisome they can cause damage to the heart and kidneys as well as the dog's joints. The vet or professional pet groomers can keep your pet’s teeth clean. They can advise you on how to take care of your large pet’s teeth.
Diseases such as rabies and parvo can be prevented by means of vaccine.
You can’t afford for a big dog like this to become obese. It’s a serious disease and can put pressure on your dog’s joints and also cause back pain and digestive disorders.
Your dog can be infected with all kinds of worms and bugs such as ticks d and fleas as well as mites. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you. Your vet can talk about preventive medication.
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, commonly referred to as bloat often occurs in dogs with deep chests.
The stomach twists and fills with gas,and blood to the stomach is cut off. Left unattended to, your dog can die, sometimes within half an hour. His stomach is hard and swollen, requiring immediate veterinary attention.
There 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.
Have your pet spayed or neutered if you don’t want puppies. Spaying or neutering also decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers.
Nothing but a top quality diet is good enough for your pet. Commercially manufactured dog foods are a convenient means to feed your pet, and there are some excellent brands.
Look out for the ones for extra large dogs and avoid the ones with low quality ingredients. The dry kibble you give your big pet can be made more tasty when you add some homemade food to it about twice a week.
Dogs thrive on simplicity, so boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be wonderful for him when you chop the food up and add it into the dry kibble. Its such a tasty, wholesome treat for your pet.
Some raw meat added in occasionally will contribute to your pet’s heath. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
Brush his coat at least twice a week. Check inside his ears for redness which could indicate an ear infection.
He’s an intelligent pet with lots of energy, so you will need to keep his mind and body active by ensuring he enjoys walks every day. He isn’t a dog that requires running with you on your jogs or cycles.
1Feeding 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.
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.