Podenco Canario vs Bisben - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Bisben is originated from India but Podenco Canario is originated from Spain. Bisben may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than Podenco Canario. Bisben may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Podenco Canario. Both Bisben and Podenco Canario has almost same life span. Both Bisben and Podenco Canario has almost same litter size. Both Bisben and Podenco Canario requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
undefined
India
Spain
Height Male:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
55 - 64 cm
21 - 26 inches
Height Female:
48 - 74 cm
18 - 30 inches
55 - 64 cm
21 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 55 kg
39 - 122 pounds
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 52 kg
35 - 115 pounds
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
2 - 8
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
Bisben Sheepdog, Bisben Shepherd, Himalayan Bisben, Himalayan Bisben Sheepdog, Himalayan Bisben Shepherd, Himalayan Sheepdog, Himalayan Shepherd, Indian Sheepdog, and Indian Shepherd
, Canary Islands Warren Hound
Colors Available:
jet black, either solidly or with white markings on the feet and chest. Other commonly seen colors are tan, tricolor, and “wolf-color,” which probably means grey, brown, black, and/or various shades of sable.
Reddish Brown, white with red markings, chocolate
Coat:
long, wiry, coarse, harsh
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Aggressive, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

There is a lot of mystery surrounding this large herding dog said to come out of the Himalaya Mountains of Asia. The belief is that sheepdogs were crossed with wolves toward the end of the 18th century, but his origin is basically unknown. They are both herding dogs and guard dogs. Others theorize that rather than a wolf, the breed arose from the Mastif family. Still others claim that the Bisben is not a breed at all but rather a “landrace”. A landrace is an animal group that is only found to exist in the local area or is bred locally for a specific reason, while a breed is developed intentionally and from a select purebred with pedigree. The Bisben may be a landrace since it is very popular in India but hardly known anywhere else. What is known is that the Brisben was in existence at the end of the 1700’s and its job was to protect and herd livestock. There are three main theories about the origin of the Bisben. They are, in no particular order:

1. The Bisben was developed by mixing several different Himalayan and Indian Sheepdogs with wolves. The wolf population in the Himalayas and in India live in very close proximity to dogs and people and this population is quite large. These Tibetan and Indian wolves are known to be smaller, more comfortable with people and less aggressive than wolves from other parts of the world.

2. The Bisben was developed by mixing local sheep herding dogs with the Tibetan Mastiff. This gave the breed its protective nature and its large size according to this theory.

3. The Bisben was developed by mixing local dogs with the ones the British, Portuguese and French imported to the India subcontinent.

There is a fourth theory as well and it combines all three of these, supposing that the Bisben is a product of crossing local dogs with wolves, Tibetan Mastiffs and European dogs.

Regardless of their origins, the Bisben grew into one of the most respected animals in the Southern Himalayas. Their assistance to the shepherds of the area was unquestioned and irreplaceable. They were touch enough to herd flocks of goats or sheep across several treacherous and unstable mountain passes. The environment in which these dogs worked when herding is one of the harshest environments on the face of the earth. Temperatures were dangerously cold, altitudes dangerously high and the terrain just plain dangerous. Many deadly large predators live there as well. This included tigers, Asiatic black bears, golden eagles, Himalayan brown bears, snow leopards, fox, dholes, wolves, and small cats. The Bisben had to be able to fight off all of these predators. In addition to these herding and protecting duties, the Bisben was also known throughout the region as an excellent hunting dog. They are capable to this day of hunting large prey such as antelope or deer. They are equally comfortable hunting alone or in a pack. He has grown into one of the most popular hunting dogs in all of India.

The Himalayas, being so rugged and treacherous, were inaccessible to most of India for many centuries and the Brisben was unknown as well. Through the British imperialist expansion across all of the Indian subcontinent, the lowlands people were connected to the highlands and mountain people for the first time. This also meant that the Brisben was no longer unknown. The entire country began to appreciate the dog for its protection and herding of livestock, as well as a companion animal who would protect its owner and family as well. As India continues to grow the popularity of the Brisben grows as well and its numbers increase regularly. The breed, if it is a breed, remains an Indian secret. They have migrated to the countries around India, but their number are small. It is only in India that they are revered and prosper. They are not present in any great numbers in Europe, North America, Japan, or most of Asia.

Whether or not the Bisben becomes a recognized breed depends upon those who own and fancy them. Most Bisbens are bred to only other Bisbens in an effort to purify the breed. However, few dogs have pedigrees and the practice of breeding the Brisben to other breeds and mixed breed to acquire specific characteristics continues to this day. It is unlikely that the Bisben will ever be a purebred dog. It is quite variable in how it looks depending upon what the breeding line of the individual dog actually is. Does it look like a wolf? Does it look like a larger version of a local or European dog? There will always be these questions around the Bisben. Is it a breed or a landrace?

podenco canarioThe Podenco Canario comes from the Canary Islands (Spain) and is still used for hunting purposes to this day, although it is also becoming more of a companion dog.

It is believed that the dog descended from ancient dogs which were brought to the islands from Egypt and North Africa by early human settlers.

Description

As mentioned in the previous section the appearance of the Brisban can vary greatly from one dog to another based on the individual dogs’ ancestry. Breed or landrace, the Brisban breeding line is not very pure. Therefore, appearance can vary greatly from what is described here and there is no standard by which to measure the Brisban. Most are distinctly large animals, being as tall as the European mountain dogs – the Newfoundland or the Bernese Mountain Dog, Swiss Mountain Dog. St. Bernard and Great Pyrenees. Reports are that it is perhaps the largest dog in India. At least it is one of the largest dogs in India. The Bisben is said by some to be a large, bulky, husky dog while others claim it to be tall and athletic, leaner than the Mastiff bred. Again, there is disagreement on the size and shape of the Bisben’s head with some claiming it is massively square like a Mastiff while others say the head is long and like that of a wolf not a Mastiff. The long hair of the Bisben and its confusing heritage may be the cause. They are most often black but might also be found to be tricolor, tan and “wolf-color” or brown, grey, shades of sable and black. No matter how it looks, this is a dog that was designed to work in the harshest conditions known and their physical appearance should make that abundantly clear.

podenco canario puppy - descriptionThe Podenco Canario is a medium sized dog and stands at between 55 and 64cm and weighs between 20 and 25kg. This is a slender, muscular dog but still robust and sturdy. There are in fact 2 sizes of Podenco Canarios – one is the medium sized dog of up to 64cm and the other is a smaller size.

The coat of the dog is short and smooth and is a rich red color or even chocolate brown. There are dogs which can have some white markings. The dog's nose and skin should be a shade of red and these dogs are known to blush when they become animated. The neck of the dog is long with the head being long and slender too, with the large bat-like ears being erect.

Temperament:

This dog can become very attached to his human family and is somewhat reserved around strangers. He is smart and will be able to learn easily. Training and socialization will be necessary to him as it makes him balanced and obedient.

He will appreciate a firm, consistent, kind owner as he is a dog that is strong willed and stubborn. He is a gentle dog too and can play well with children who have been taught to treat dogs with respect. He is active and will require a good deal of daily exercise.

Characteristics

The Bisben was so important to the people of the Indian subcontinent because of her temperament. He is a loyal, productive and courageous worker who took care of her flocks, her family and her pack. They are devoted to their family and if raised with children will care for them as well. He is suspicious of strangers. They are territorial and great watchdogs. They can take on any large challenger if need be to protect what they consider to be theirs. They can be highly dog aggressive and must be socialized as a puppy. Do not mix them with strange, unknown animals as the Bisben might attempt to kill them. If he sees them as his “pack” he will love and protect them, but not if he does not know them. Take as much time as you need to introduce him to a new animal and do not leave them unsupervised. They are not easy to train as they are stubborn, intelligent, want to be dominant and is a problem solver. If he doesn’t want to learn something forget it – he won’t. You can still train them. It just takes time and patience.

podenco canario dog - characteristicsThe Podenco Canario is a quiet breed that isn’t going to cause you trouble as he just slots into your way of life.

He is easy going, gentle and smart and wants to please. He is also a low maintenance dog, easy to please if he benefits from a good dose of exercise and human interaction.

Early socialization and training is important, as with any other dog breed, and then he becomes an excellent pet and friend of the family.

Health Problems

Because he is not a purebred and is probably a land range, there have not been a lot of health studies done and written up on the Brisban. It is believed that the Bisben is for all practical purposes a healthy working dog. As long as the breeding practices are not compromised it should remain a healthy line. It is bred for temperament and work not for appearance and showmanship. Some problems that plague large dogs have been noted in the Bisben. These conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia; optical issues such as Entropion, Ectropion and cataracts; ear infections; and Demadex and Demodectic mange. Most of these conditions can be tested for either in DNA or early in a pup’s life and should be tested for by the breeder before a puppy is sold

podenco canario puppies - health problemsYour Podenco can live to be 10, 11 or 12 years of age if looked after well. Because he is a primitive breed, he is able to throw off some diseases that other dogs might battle with. Just like with other dogs however, he can battle with some health problems. One of two of the common dog illnesses to watch out for include -

Skin Problems:

Skin problems can create havoc for your dog. They can be frustrating, painful and itchy. Skin problems can come from parasites, allergies and skin infections. Common parasites that involve the skin include ticks and fleas and mites. Dogs themselves can also cause irritation of the skin by licking one area over and over again from sheer boredom and stress.

Gastric Torsion (Bloat:

To prevent this life threatening disease, try and feed your dog 2 meals a day instead of one so that he doesn't gobble his food up. This can contribute to bloat. The stomach fills with gas and the stomach can twist and bring death to the dog. Get your dog to the vet immediately if you see he is restless,drooling and has a swollen stomach.

Heartworm:

This is particularly worrisome if you live in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be deadly for your dog. Speak to your vet about preventative treatment if you are traveling to an area known for its mosquito problems..

Caring The Pet

The Bisben is a large working dog that needs a lot of calories if you are keeping him busy. Do not let him get overweight. The Bisben should not be free fed but rather given two controlled portion meals per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned, the Bison was developed with the harshest of conditions in mind and long hours of hard work. It is a healthy breed that is however prone to any of the issues that any large dog is prone to including dysplasia and mange and well as optical issues.

Exercise and games

The Bisben needs a lot of exercise as the breed is developed for hard work. Walks are essential but if you have more than one dog, pack walks are even better and pack time at the dog park or in a fenced yard is great. The Bison was bred to hunt in packs as well as alone and they love to play in packs. In any respect they need at least an hour of strong exercise daily. If they don’t get enough exercise, they can become aggressive, destructive and fearful. This could result in destructive activity, barking and excess excitability. They are not very happy in the city and thrive in the countryside.

Exercise:

podenco canario dogs - caringProvide your dog with a daily dose of exercise. He will love to have a walk with you every day but ball games will also be important for him.

Diet:

Your Podenco Canario is a medium-breed dog, with a slim, muscular build To keep him that way, ensure he has a high quality commercially manufactured dog food that is high in the vitamins and minerals he needs.

Dry kibble needs to be enhanced with some home-made food. Boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are excellent when chopped up and added occasionally to the dry kibble. You can also include some raw meat into his food from time to time. Such nutritious food which is simple, can help your dog live a long, healthy, happy life.

Grooming:

Your dog has a short coat and a brush twice a week will keep it in tip top condition. Make use of these brushing sessions to check your dog’s coat for fleas and ticks. Also check him over for any new lumps. Cancer is an ever present threat with dogs.

Look inside his ears for any signs of redness, and try and look inside his mouth too for signs of bad teeth. His nails should also be kept short and trimmed. If they get too long they can hook onto things and rip the flesh open.

Comparison with other breeds

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