Bohemian Shepherd is originated from Czech Republic but McNab is originated from United States. Bohemian Shepherd may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than McNab. Both Bohemian Shepherd and McNab are having almost same weight. Both Bohemian Shepherd and McNab has almost same life span. Both Bohemian Shepherd and McNab has almost same litter size. Bohemian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance. But McNab requires Low Maintenance
Known as the Chodský pes or the Chodenhund, the Bohemian Shepherd is native to the Czech Republic and is a herding breed. Like many other old dog breeds, nothing is 100% certain about is history. This is thought to be because the breed was developed centuries before the keeping of records. It is certain however, that the breed developed in the south-western portion of the Kingdom of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic.
It is believed the Bohemian Shepherd came from herding dogs such as the Pinscher/Schnauzer, Spitzen or even a dog/wolf hybrid. It was in November 1991, that the Bohemian Shepherd Lover’s Club was founded. Many Bohemian Shepherd breeders have been registered and today the breed has earned the reputation for being a superb family dog. The dog has also been granted recognition with the Czech National Kennel Club.
The attractive McNab dog is also known as the McNab Shepherd or McNab Collie. This very lively dog originated in the Mendocino region of Northern California, being specifically bred to withstand tough weather conditions and rough terrain.
The dog is becoming popular outside of California now. A Scottish rancher with the surname McNab left Scotland and arrived in California in the 19th century. He crossed Scottish Border Collies with Shepherd dogs and the ranchers in California started using these dogs for herding livestock.
Today they are still being used as herding dogs in California and other countries. The dog isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club. It was in 2014 that a group of McNab Shepherd breeders established the McNab Shepherd Registry so as to work towards the advancement of the McNab Shepherd.
The medium sized Bohemian Shepherd looks much like a combination between the Collie and German Shepherd. He is 48-55 cm in height and weighs about 15-25 kg. The Bohemian Shepherd has a thick, long coat which is black and tan in color and with an undercoat, allowing him to cope in icy weather conditions. His well proportioned body is muscular and compact with a long bushy tail and erect ears.
The Bohemian Shepherd makes a wonderful family pet, becoming very attached to his human family. He has a good reputation with children too and will get on well with other pets in the home. He is so amicable that he makes a good pet choice for those looking to own a dog for the first time.
He is intelligent and alert and also protective of his family, making him an excellent guard dog. He is easily trainable, and just like with any other dogs, will require training and socialization.
The McNab Dog is a medium-sized working dog. The appearance of this dog varies quite a bit. For instance you may come across a dog with erect ears or floppy ears or a long tail or one that is naturally bobbed.
When it comes to size, you will find that between the males and females they stand at roughly 40 – 64cm and weigh anything from 14 – 30kg.
Most of these McNabs are black or red with white feet, white tipped tails and white markings around the face. The coat is weather resistant and fairly short and dense. You also get tri-colored McNabs. Eyes are usually a brown or copper color though you might find some with bluish eyes as well.
These are such intelligent dogs so with training and socialization you’ll find he is able to learn easily and quickly. He is a self assured dog, so he will respond well to an owner who is firm and fair, patient, kind and consistent.
He is best suited to life in the country as he needs lots of place to run around. If you don’t live on a farm, take the dog for long walks every day as he requires lots of exercise and mental stimulation. He is a loving family member too, getting along well with kids in the home as well as other pets. He is also a good guard- and watch dog, taking his job as protector of his human family very seriously.
Playful by nature, friendly, gentle and co-operative, your Bohemian Shepherd will make a wonderful pet and he is a real social character, loving to spend lots of time with his human family. With minimal health conditions and without requiring much maintenance, he is an adaptable dog and will easily settle into city- or country living, so long as he is given regular exercise and attention.
He is courageous and intelligent and also makes an excellent guard-dog. With so much going for this beautiful dog, he simply makes a loyal, loving and devoted family pet.
The McNab makes a splendid pet and is known to be even-tempered, being friendly and tolerant with his entire human family.
He gets on well with children in the home as well as other pets. He has always been a hard working pet and doubles up as being an excellent guard dog too. Those who have had the McNab as a pet say that you couldn’t get a more excellent family canine friend.
Breeding organizations are continually trying to minimize the diseases within limited-gene-pool dog breeds. While the Bohemian Shepherd is a generally health breed, there are diseases that are more common with the Bohemian Shepherd and which you need to be aware of -
This is a painful disease – a problem with the formation of the hips – where the dog can develop arthritis and even become lame.
This is a condition where gas gets trapped in the stomach of your pet, so that he swells up, sometimes causing the stomach to twist. This is an emergency for your pet and it is extremely painful. Nobody really knows the cause, but when the gas is trapped inside the stomach, the bloated stomach of your pet requires you getting to the vet as quickly as you can.
Look out for Progressive Retinal Atrophy known as PRA . This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the photoreceptor cells where the cells deteriorate and can result in blindness with your pet. Fortunately it isn’t a painful condition.
This dog doesn’t really have genetic health issues, but they can suffer with hip dysplasia, a problem that many dogs battle with, whether small or large, young or old.
They can also suffer with epilepsy and an eye disease such as entropion where the lid of the eye is turned inwards. Check its ears and teeth regularly for infections and keep up to date with his vaccinations.
The McNab is a health dog breed so you aren't likely to face any of these common dog health issues.
The Bohemian Shepherd is an energetic breed and will need to be exercised regularly. He’ll love to run alongside your bike on your cycling trips or you can take him on a long walk. Having said that, he is an easy going dog and can adapt to city- and country life, but if it’s city life, you can’t leave him cooped up in a small yard and think that will suffice. He has a personality that longs to be part of the family.
Your Bohemian Shepherd is a moderate shedder in spite of his thick beautiful coat. The coat will certainly need a good brushing at least twice a week to get rid of that loose hair. Not only that, your social Bohemian Shepherd will love the closeness to you that the brushing brings.
Keep his nails short and his teeth brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week to ensure there is no plaque build up. There are special toothbrushes and toothpastes made for dogs. Don’t use human toothpaste as the ingredients will be harmful to your pet.
Your Bohemian Shepherd, after one year of age, will eat one or two bowls of food a day. You’ll be able to tell what suits your dog, because the amount will eat about 2 to 4 cups of a good quality dry dog food a day, split into at least two meals. The amount can vary depending on its health, build, age, activity level and metabolism. Make sure it has access to water at all times and that it is changed as often as possible.
You can feed your McNab dog commercial dry kibble, but then you want to be sure its the best quality one. Buying inferior foods means that you’re getting a whole lot of ingredients in the food that are bad – sugar, salt, preservatives, fillers, colorants etc. Rather go for the best brands that will ensure that your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs.
Homemade food is also important and foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice and pasta as well as cooked or raw vegetables chopped up and added to his dry kibble can make for a delicious, wholesome treat. It will be to his benefit if you can every now and then give him some raw meat as well. Make sure to see that he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
McNab Shepherds are very active dogs and they are going to require quite a bit of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation. They are dogs who have been used to herding livestock and he loves this busy life. It is why he wouldn’t be happy living in the city but is better suited to farm life or in a home with a large garden. Long walks and hikes will suit him as well as swimming and joining in every game there is.
The McNab is considered to be a low maintenance dog and grooming the short thick coat will be required twice a week. Always check around the eyes and ears as well as inside the mouth for problems and infections.