Guejae Gae vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Cuban Mastiff which came from Cuba, was developed from breeds of Mastiffs, Bulldogs and cattle dogs, with the breed being thought to be extinct since the end of the 19th century.

The Dogo Cubano had a number of roles to fulfill in its day and they were used for guarding stock, for dog fighting and for chasing runaway slaves. After the abolishment of slavery, the large dog had no real role and it died out.

Known also as the Cuban Mastiff or Mastin de Cuba, there isn’t much accuracy as to its origins, with the most common story for their origin being that they are descendants of the Molossus.

The dogs were later introduced into Western Europe, becoming fairly common in England and Spain. The dog was also was also mentioned in the works of canine authors Stonehenge and George Wood.

Known also as Gaulchae Gae, the Guejae Gae hails from Korea, and falls in the Spitz dog category. The dog is related to the Korean Jindo dog but is slightly larger.

With his sharp canine teeth, the Guejae has been used for hunting and herding, having enough stamina to not easily give up on its prey. The dog isn’t AKC recognized.

The Dogo Cubano was generally similar to other Mastiffs and stood at rough 48 – 55cm in height and weighing in the region of 45kg.

He was a large dog, powerfully built, muscular and strong. Images of the dog show that it had strong, straight legs with a long tapering tail and medium-sized floppy ears that were sometimes cropped upwards and close to the head.

The dog breed came in a variety of colors such as brown, tan, fawn and brindle. The muzzle was broad and short and black. The dog had pronounced jowls with its face being fairly wrinkly.

Temperament:

This large dog was known for being a courageous, independent and aggressive dog. He became attached to his owner, showing protective characteristics .In those days the dog would have received simple training and certainly if such a large dog still existed today, it would have to receive training and socialization as well.

The Dogo Cubano was an intelligent dog and easily trainable, requiring an owner with a firm hand. Being an aggressive breed, the dog possibly wouldn’t have been the best companion for children. He also wouldn’t have got on too well with pets in the home as he was trained to be a fighter in his day. Independent and strong-willed, the dog would not have suited a novice dog owner.

This is a medium sized dog, standing at roughly 40cm to 58cm and weighing about 16 to 27kg, and because he falls into the Spitz dog category, you’ll find them with the characteristic pointed ears and thick fur.

He can be in a number of colors such as fawn, brown, white, grey or black. The tail curls up over the back too and the dog has a resemblance to the wolf. You can see he is intelligent as has he has bright, alert eyes.

Temperament:

These dogs aren't aggressive and they are known to be gentle dogs who are devoted and loyal to their owners.

He is an active, intelligent, social dog who wants ongoing interaction with his human family. He should never be left alone in the back yard day after day as he becomes lonely and bored. This is terrible to do for any dog breed, but the Guejae Gae won't thrive in a family who doesn't make him 100% part of the family.

He should be allowed indoors with his owner as he is a highly social dog who loves being around his human family, forming deep bonds with them.

His superb intelligence allows him to learn new commands and tricks easily, and this is why he responds well to training and socialization. He makes a great pet for active owners and gets on well with children in the home as well as pets. Because he is somewhat reserved around strangers, he makes a good watchdog too.

The Dogo Cubano was bred to be a guard dog as well as for dog fighting, but this large dog, with training and socialization, no doubt became a loyal and devoted family pet.

It was actually a social dog, being aggressive towards other dogs. He would be described as a dog better suited to a home with older children.

He was protective with his human family but not very active, being too big to be leaping around like other dog breeds. It is a pity that this large dog has disappeared as he had some good qualities.

Intelligent, playful, faithful and loving, your Guejae Gae is going to make you a splendid pet – good with other pets in the home as well as with children.

They are good natured pets and easy to train too, so that when he has been trained and socialized, he becomes an even more amicable pet.

Just remember though that these dogs have been used as working dogs and to ensure your Guejae Gae makes you a splendid pet, you want to ensure he has enough exercise to keep him happy and healthy.

The Dogo Cubano was a generally healthy breed, but just like with most other dog breeds, they were also prone to some of the more common dog problems. The chances of him getting sick were slim though.

When the dog first originated, there were unlikely to have been health clearance certificates, but today, you’d want health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

The reason for this is that hip dysplasia is a heritable condition, seen more often in large dogs, where the thigh bone doesn’t fit into the hip joint properly. The dog suffers with pain and discomfort and the condition can lead to lameness with the dog.

Gastric Torsion or Bloat is a life threatening condition that affects large dogs like the Dogo Cubano and those with deep chests. The stomach is distended with gas and it can twist.

The gas can’t escape and blood flow is hindered. The dog vomits, is lethargic and weak, and immediate veterinary help will be required.

The Guajae Gae is a healthy dog breed with few genetic problems, if any.

There are always common dog illnesses to watch out for however, and in this spitz-type dog, hypothyroidism is one.

Hypothyroidism in dogs is usually brought on by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism occurs more often in medium to large dogs as opposed to smaller breeds. The most common signs of low thyroid function in your pet will be loss of fur and excess shedding, weight gain and an inability to tolerate the cold.

Hypothyroid dogs often battle with ear infections as well as skin infections. There are a number of blood tests to confirm a suspected diagnosis of hypothyroidism in your dog.

Exercise:

The Dogo Cubano was a large dog, so if he did become used to living in the city, he would have adapted better to life in the country.

He wasn’t a dog requiring too much exercise but he would have needed to go for walks. They were used as guard dogs long ago, and if he had been in existence today, you wouldn’t have been able to include him in your jogging and cycling as he was a dog that could easily overheat.

Diet:

Not all dogs require the same amount of food. Long ago the Dogo Cubano wouldn’t have had the same variety of dog foods available today. Maybe the dog in those days was fed the same kind of food that his owner ate.

Today, if these dogs were still around, they would require the best quality ‘large dog breed’ kibble.

The better the dog food, the more nourishing it is and the healthier the dog is. The Dog Cubano would likely have been a dog that drooled, leaving quite a bit of backwash in the water bowl, so it would have been important to wash out the drinking bowl and to regularly replace it with cool, fresh water.

Grooming:

He sheds quite a bit and more so in hot weather so he will need to be thoroughly brushed twice a week.

Exercise:

The Guejae Gae is an active dog breed that needs plenty of place to roam freely, and therefore he is a dog breed that will suit life in the country far better than life in the city.

You will need a decent sized yard for him and you should also be prepared to take him on walks and play ball games with him. He is such a social dog and playing with him is something that will strengthen your bond.

Diet:

As a Spitz type dog, the Guejae Gae has always enjoyed a carnivorous diet. Cheap, poor quality commercially manufactured dog food won’t cut it for these dogs. Home cooked meals with natural ingredients such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables is a good choice as well as adding in some raw meat from time to time.

Always remember when feeding your Guejae Gae that how much your dog eats will depend on his size, age and activity levels. A highly active dog like the Guejae Gae needs wholesome food as well as a constant supply of fresh, cool water.