Nenets Herding Laika vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

There is a large variety of Laika dogs as the word is almost a generic term for a type of Russian hunting dog. They are found in Northern Russia and Siberia and there are several recognized by the Federation Cynologique International including the East Siberian Laika, the Russian European Laika, and the West Siberian Laika. These Siberia Laika are crosses between the aboriginal dogs of Siberia and northern Russia. The word Laika means a barking dog and comes from the word meaning to bark. These laikas are working dogs, hunting pointers that were bred specifically for their barks.

All the dogs in this category are loyal and affectionate. They are hard workers and hunters/herders and sled dogs. Of the official Laika groups including the Nenets Herding Laika, there is the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the Northeasterly Siberian Laika, the West Siberian Laika, The Russian European Laika, Eastern Siberian Laika. The Laika are wary of strangers, noisy and rowdy.

Nenets Herding Laika

The Laika breed known as the Nenets Herding Laika is also called the Reindeer Herding Laika. The breed is pretty ancient, developed by the Nentry tribe at about the same time that the nomads were developing the Samoyed. Like the Samoyed breed, the Nenets Herding Laika herded Reindeer. The artic breed originates from Russia and can be used for transportation and hauling as well.

While their temperament and history are very much the same as the Samoyed, they are recognized as separate breeds. However there are many aficionados of both breeds believe that the Samoyed and the Nenets Herding Laika are the same breed. For many the Samoyed are simply a white version of the Nenets Herding Laika.

The Nenets Herding Laika is also know as the Samoyed Laika, so you can see how close if not the same, these two breeds are. The Nenets Herding Laika was bred by the Nenet peoples. The Samoyed is all white while the Nenets is any variation of black, gray, piebald, red, white, sable and brown.

The dogs herd and guard reindeer, keeping the herd together and moving them from one pasture to another. They will also stay with a stray reindeer until they are found. They will do this whether they have food or water. They will bark to try to bring the people’s attention to the lost reindeer. They are also an excellent hunting and retrieving, swimming dog.

The Nenets are also known as Yurak Samoyeds and they are the largest group of Samoyedic peoples today. They live on both sides of Russian Ural Mountains in northern Russia and the Yamal Peninsula. They move large herds of reindeer to the winter lands south of the Artic Circle from the north – about 600-900 miles. It is believed that the Herding Laika originated with this group of people but spread beyond them. They were shipped to far northeast Siberia to be bred and shared with reindeer herding tribes there.

There is a longhaired or rough coated variety and a shorthaired variety. The Nenets consider the work routine of both varieties the same, but they believed that the shorthaired version was a more ancient than the longhaired version.

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

This is a medium sized dog , muscular and strong. Slightly smaller than the Samoyed, the Nenets Laika weighs about 40-55 pounds and is 18 inches tall. The ears are typical Spitz ears and the tail is carried up over the back. The Nenets Herding Laika can have gray, piebald, black or tan coats and some can be solid white and look just like a Samoyed. The coat is a thick, double coat with the undercoat very wooly.

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

Children friendliness

yes

Special talents

mushing

Adaptability

Adaptability not good in apartments or smaller spaces. Needs a fenced in yard.

Learning ability

High but stubborn and independent

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

For the most part the Nenets Herding Laika is a healthy breed and very hardy. They do however have some propensities for some illnesses and conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus – can be treated with medication and is usual seen in middle age -after 7 years of age.

PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy – Slow loss of vision and this is a genetic disease – leads to blindness.

• Hip Dysplasia – can lead to lameness or arthritis.
• Skin diseases are possible – autoimmune disease the is idiopathic.

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

Feeding the puppy

Be careful that your pup doesn’t grow too fast. They are open to injuries if they grow too fast. Low calorie with protein and not a lot of fat. half a cup of high quality medium breed dog food 3X a day.

Feeding the adult

1 1/2 cups high quality medium breed dog food.

Points for Good Health

athletic and agile

Games and Exercises

At leaset a walk or two every day. Don’t get overheated as they are used to cold weather. Would be good at agility and herding exercise.