Himalayan Sheepdog vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison

Himalayan Sheepdog vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed ComparisonBoth Gaddi Kutta and Himalayan Sheepdog are originated from India. Both Gaddi Kutta and Himalayan Sheepdog are of same height. Both Gaddi Kutta and Himalayan Sheepdog are having almost same weight. Both Gaddi Kutta and Himalayan Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Gaddi Kutta and Himalayan Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both Gaddi Kutta and Himalayan Sheepdog requires High Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
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India
India
Height Male:
55 - 71 cm
21 - 28 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
53 - 69 cm
20 - 28 inches
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
37 - 44 kg
81 - 98 pounds
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 37 kg
70 - 82 pounds
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 12
6 - 10
Size:
Giant
Large
Other Names:
Indian Leopard Hund, and Himalayan Chamba Gaddi dog, Himalayan Bhatia or Bhutia Sheepdog, Gaddi watchdog, Gaddi Mastiff, Himalayan Sheepdog Indian Panther Hound, Maidan Mastiff
Bhotia • Bhotiya • Bhote Kukkur • Gaddi • Gaddi Leopardhund • Himachal Pradesh • Himalayan Guard Dog • Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog • Himalayan Chamba Gaddi • HSD
Colors Available:
solid color of black and tan, dark fawn and sometimes reddish color.
Black, fawn, light brown, beige
Coat:
dry top coat, heavy, thick undercoat
rough dense long
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

History

gaddi kuttaThe Gaddi Kutta is mountain dog of the mastiff line from northern India. They are mostly found in the western Himalayas and Himachal Pradesh. It is also seen in Nepal and often named the Indian Panther Hound and the Mahidant Mastiff. They were bred to hunt but because of their strength and intelligence they are used to guard and herd goats and sheep. They are strong enough to defeat or scare off a panther or snow leopard and intelligent enough to work independently in finding strays and bringing them back to their pens. They have been known to protect herds of cattle from bears and leopards.3 or 4 of them working together can handle the guard duties for thousands of cattle.

Their reputation precedes them – as ferocious and courageous, unmatched in their instincts to protect what is theirs. In the line of the Mastiffs and Molosser, the Gaddi is powerful and agile, and considered to be of ancient heritage though no one is sure what their origin is. The local myth is that dogs were crossed with tigers. It is more likely that dingo-like wild hounds from the Himalaya were crossed with the Tibetan Mastiff to create the Gaddi Kutti. Also found in Pakistan, most lines of the breed have been crossed with others including the German Shepard and the Bully Kutta. Outside of the Himalayas there are not many if any pure lines. The Gaddi Kutta is a good family dog if you socialize him as a puppy. He will be gentle, calm and intuitive with his family, but aggressive toward strangers and other dogs.

himalayan sheepdogThe Himalayan Sheepdog comes from Nepal originally and was bred as a guardian for livestock. The exact location where the breed comes from is not documented well but it is thought that they come from North India and Nepal and they are rare outside of that area. They are a mountain dog – close in ancestry to the Himalayan Mastiff, and the Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet (Himalaya). All these Himalayan mountain dogs were all called “Gaddi dogs”. The term was used for all the large dogs no matter what their breeds actually were.

The Himalayan Sheepdog is called by various names depending on where they were from. They are called Gaddi Leopardhund in Himachai Pradesh, In Nepal they are known as Bhote Kukkur or Bhotiya. Then there are Chamba Gaddi dogs. They are an ancient breed that existed before documentation on breeds was kept.

They acted as both guardians and herders. They guarded the mountain men’s encampments as well as the livestock. They were also used at times to hunt large animals. Today they are found only within Nepal and India. These Himalayan Sheepdogs are on the verge of extinction in India. There are no breeding programs and their isolation has caused the dilution of the gene pool. It is not recognized by any clubs including the UKC and the AKC.

Description

gaddi kutta puppy - descriptionThe Gaddi Kutta is a mastiff but he is athletic, has tremendous speed and stamina. He is muscular and deep-chested, leaner than most of the mastiff lines. Their ears can be either natural or cropped, on a very large head. One of the most important traits of the Gaddi Kutta is the massive, arched neck that protects them from predators. He is sturdy with a heavily feathered, thick tail curling over the back.

They are massive, wolf like dogs, fiery and huge but intelligent and faithful to their people. They are scary even when they are trying to be affectionate. The muzzle is strong, and the mane is thick. The Gaddi has long, heavy legs and very large feet that are feathered, making him even more intimidating.

There are two types of Gaddi Kutti – the longhaired and the shorthaired. The longhaired is the most common and has a fuller coat with long feathering on the tail, legs and chest and some feathering on the feet. They are all usually solid colors of yellow, fawn and cream or they could be piebald, brown or brindle. They have a woolly dense undercoat.

himalayan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe breed is a large dog, very athletic and strong. The Himalayan Sheepdog is muscular with a deep chest, strong neck and strong shoulders. It has a medium tail that is thick and busy, curled high over its back. It is a daunting dog that can be very intimidating. They have well padded and large paws. With a broad head and wide forehead, they have a strong, wide muzzle. Their ears are high on the head and hang from the sides. They have almond shaped medium eyes that are deep set with a black nose.

They are a very active and swift dogs. By their nature they are constantly in motion, patrolling their territory and guarding their flock and people. Their devotion to their people and their courage is the stuff of legends. Their coat is double with a large ruff around their necks that resembles a mane. The inner coat is dense and short while the outer coat is longer but dense as well.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

gaddi kutta dog - characteristicsThey are not always great with children, but they will protect own children in their family. Do not leave unattended.

Special talents

They have the ability to bring down a wolf or even a bear or snow leopard.

Adaptability

Because of his size, temperament and coat he is not very adaptable. He is good outside in a colder region and with a lot of land to roam, but not in a hot region or in an apartment.

Learning ability

This breed is very smart, learns quickly on his own.

Children friendliness

himalayan sheepdog dog - characteristicsYes with enough proper socialization

Special talents

Protection and loyalty

Adaptability

They are not especially adaptable and need a large yard. They are not good in an apartment.

Learning ability

Intelligent but stubborn and independent making them able to learn if they want to.

Health Problems

However, they are prone to some of the same issues that any big dog would have.

  1. Hip/elbow Dysplasia
  2. Painful and can cause lameness and arthritis.
  3. Patellar luxation
  4. This is a moving knee cap. Can be repaired or can cause lameness.
  5. Obesity

gaddi kutta puppies - health problemsThe breed is prone to obesity if they do not get enough exercise or a decent diet.

himalayan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis is a pretty healthy breed with very few health issues. They have the usual large dog issues.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Arthritis – can cause extreme pain and lameness
  • Patellar luxation – kneecap issues that are painful and can cause lameness
  • Obesity – they have a tendency to overeat and are not that active
  • Glaucoma – can cause blindness

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

gaddi kutta dogs - caringShould feed a high quality dry puppy food for large dogs. Give 1-2 cups per day split into 2-3 meals.

Feeding the adult

Again you want to feed high quality dry adult dog food for large dogs. Give 3-4 cups per day split into 2 meals. Watch for obesity and if your Gaddi Kutta is gaining too much weight, cut back.

Points for Good Health

The Gaddi Kutti seems to be immune to the most common of canine diseases.

Games and Exercises

This is a breed of very large dogs that need daily exercise by walking and running. However, since they have been fairly isolated in India and the Himalayas, he has not been exposed to organized dog play and exercise such as agility, dock jumping or field trials. He would probably succeed at all three.

Feeding the puppy

himalayan sheepdog dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day with a total of two cups of a quality dog food for large breed dogs.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult dog twice a day with 3 to 4 cups of a high quality dry dog food for large breed dogs.

Points for Good Health

They are very strong and athletic.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Sheepdog needs exercise but not to be overworked. They should be taken on long walks at least once a day. They might play fetch or run in a yard, but they don’t like too much exercise.

Comparison with other breeds

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  30. Gaddi Kutta vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Gaddi Kutta vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Gaddi Kutta vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Gaddi Kutta vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Gaddi Kutta vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Gaddi Kutta vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Gaddi Kutta vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Gaddi Kutta vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Gaddi Kutta vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Gaddi Kutta vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Gaddi Kutta vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Gaddi Kutta vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Gaddi Kutta vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Gaddi Kutta vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Gaddi Kutta vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Gaddi Kutta vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Gaddi Kutta vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Gaddi Kutta vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Gaddi Kutta vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Gaddi Kutta vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Gaddi Kutta vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison