Moscow Water Dog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison

Catahoula Leopard is originated from United States but Moscow Water Dog is originated from Russia. Catahoula Leopard may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Moscow Water Dog. Catahoula Leopard may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Moscow Water Dog. Both Catahoula Leopard and Moscow Water Dog has almost same life span. Both Catahoula Leopard and Moscow Water Dog has same litter size. Catahoula Leopard requires Low Maintenance. But Moscow Water Dog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
United States
Russia
Height Male:
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
53 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
64 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 48 kg
44 - 106 pounds
45 - 55 kg
99 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 48 kg
39 - 106 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
8 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 12
5 - 12
Size:
Medium
Giant
Other Names:
Louisiana Catahoula, Catahoula Hound, Leopard Dog
Moscow River Dog, Московский Водолаз, Moscow Vodolaz, Moskovsky Vodolaz, • Russian Newfoundland,Moscow Diver, Vodolaz, Moscow Retriever,
Colors Available:
Brindle, blend of several colors - blue merle, red merle, black and tan
dark brown to black, black
Coat:
Short and smooth
double coat
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Intelligent
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

catahoula leopardThis working dog breed originates from America’s Deep South. In fact it was originally named after a small village in the state of Louisiana and was made the state’s official dog in 1979. The dog is believed to have come from the Mastiff and Greyhound.

Known as war dogs they were left with local tribes who crossed them with wolves, and French Beauceron blood was also included.

A number of Catahoula dog Associations were started and the Louisiana Catahoula Cur Association was formed in 1976, followed by others. These Associations work to promote the breed. In 1995 the United Kennel Club was the first national dog registry to recognize the Catahoula.

The Moscow Water Dog was developed in the Soviet Union around the same time as other classic Soviet dogs. The Moscow Watchdog and the Black Russian Terrier are a couple of these other dogs. The Water Dog came from crossing the Caucasian Oytcharka with the Newfoundland. The breed is known by many names including the Vodolaz which means “diver of deep Water”. The Moscow Water Dog was only bred in the Russian state’s Red Star Kennels as working dogs for the military.

Following the second World War, most of the working dogs had been destroyed during the war. Not enough dogs could be imported to begin a breeding program for any working breed. So, the Soviet Red Star Kennels began to create several working breeds. Included in this group with the Moscow Water Dog, were the Moscow Newfoundland, the Moscow Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Brudasty Hound.

The only really successful breed coming from this program is the Russian Black Terrier. All the rest are either extinct or found only in Russia today. The Moscow Water Dog was supposed to be a life saver/water rescue dog, but the dogs they developed were too aggressive, and the program was scrapped. It seemed that the cross had bred a dog that had too much of the working water dog traits and not enough of the rescue dog traits. The military breeders tried to pass the dogs off as a Russian Newfoundland and sell it to the non-military.

These non-military owners of the few “Russian Newfoundland”, did not try to change the dogs through breeding. Instead over time they bred the Russian Newfoundland with pure bred Newfoundlands almost eliminating the “Russian” portion of the breed. By the early 1980’s the stock had been so diluted with the pure Newfoundland that the Russian Newfoundland was basically extinct.

The Red Army kennel had other breeds with some of the genes of this breed in their lines. This included the Brudasty Hound, the Moscow Great Dane, the Caucasian Oycharka, the Moscow Watchdog and the Russian Black Terrier. The Russian Navy was unhappy with the situation and never again let the army developed the Navy’s waterdog.

Description

catahoula leopard puppy - descriptionKnown as the Leopard dog because of the distinctive spotted patches on his short to medium length coat, this interesting looking spotted dog can have a coat of many colors such as solid colors, brindle and a blend of several colors including blue merle and red merle, black and tan.

He is a muscular and athletic dog of medium to large size with sturdy legs and deep chest. He stands at 56 – 68cm and weighs 20 – 50kg. Many of these dogs have webbing between the toes which gives them an advantage when running through marshy areas or when swimming.

With his floppy ears, the tail is long or bobtailed. An unusual aspect with the dog is his eyes – having what is known as marbled glass eyes which are blue or blueish-white in color.

Temperament:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog can be stubborn and he is also energetic, fearless and highly intelligent. You’ll want to have him trained and socialized early as then he becomes a more relaxed, obedient dog. He is an assertive dog but not aggressive by nature.

Catahoulas in general are even tempered and they are willing to share their space with children in the home as well as other pets. They are protective of children and of their entire human family, making good watchdogs.

The Moscow Water Dog was intelligent, vigilant, an excellent swimmer, and great in artic waters. However, he was too aggressive and instead of saving the swimmer, they would attack them. The Moscow Water Dog is a tall, balanced and powerful dog. They have a wide muzzle and a square head like the Newfoundland. Their eyes are dark and small while the ears are triangular. The nose and lips are black. He has webbed feet of course and a hanging tail.

The coat on the Moscow Water Dog was of course waterproof and double. The top coat is very dense, straight and soft. It is usually a dark brown with some black and white.

Characteristics

catahoula leopard dog - characteristicsThe Catahoula makes a fine family pet but he is a dog which shouldn’t be left outside day after day. He is a companion dog and won’t thrive without the companionship of his human family.

He is highly intelligent and also energetic, and if you want him to be relaxed and amicable around other humans and pets in the home he will require training and socialization. For training and ownership, the Catahoula Leopard will require a strong, firm, confident personality and he’ll be an obedient, loving and loyal companion.

Children friendliness

yes

Special talents

Swimming and stamina

Adaptability

Yes but needed some land. Better in countryside.

Learning ability

This is an intelligent dog, but he could not be trained out of his aggressiveness.

Health Problems

catahoula leopard puppies - health problemsYour Catahoula Leopard is a healthy dog breed and with good care he can live to be 10 to 14 years of age. However, there are a number of reasons why some of the healthiest dogs can become ill.

Knowing about these illnesses means you can take action and minimize the pain and suffering your pet might have to otherwise endure.

Ear Infections:

You’ll notice your pet shaking his head and maybe even scratching his ears. Ear infections are more evident in dogs with floppy ears and there can be an ear discharge. When left untreated, the ears can become painful and then it is time to get him to the vet.

Urinary Tract Infection:

This is a common illness in dogs and can be terribly uncomfortable and debilitating for your pet as he tries to urinate all the time with no success. Signs of UTI can include this excessive urination with little urine coming out, lethargy and discomfort. Take your pet immediately to the vet to be checked over.

Because the breed was around for such a short period there is not a lot of documentation or information regarding genetic or propensity health issues. There are however a few issues that just his heritage and Newfoundland blood would lend itself to.

  • Tendency toward obesity. Do not free feed.
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – could lead to arthritis.
  • Bloat or gastric torsion – could be fatal.
  • Cardiovascular issues.
  • Addison’s Disease
  • Hypothyroidism

Caring The Pet

catahoula leopard dogs - caringA dog makes such a splendid pet, willing to give loyal and loving friendship to humans, even those who don’t treat him properly. When you think of the unconditional love your Catahoula Leopard dog will give you, surely you want to provide him with good food and shelter.

Love and treasure this 4-legged friend of yours as he is a friend like no other.

Provide identification for Him:

It can be devastating if your dog goes missing, and if he has no identification, to find him might only mean telling people what he looks like. Rather put a collar on him and an ID tag so that your chances of getting him back are just that much better.

You can also have him micro-chipped by your veterinarian and these chips have a unique code which can provide useful information on your pet.

Vaccinations:

Make sure that your pet is vaccinated as a puppy against diseases which could be deadly such as rabies.

Spay or Neuter your Catahoula Leopard:

If you have no intention of allowing your Catahoula Leopard to have puppies, rather have him neutered or spayed if its a female. It is better for them and they can live longer and be free of some ailments that at un-spayed or un-neutered dog may get.

Feeding the puppy

Required high quality food made specifically for large or giant puppies. Feed 3-4 times a day a total of 21/2 -3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Required high quality food made for large or giant dog breeds. Feed twice a day a total of 2 cups.

Games and Exercises

The Moscow Water Dog did not need a high level of exercise, but they did have a lot of stamina. They loved to swim. Not overly active – more of a couch potato.

Comparison with other breeds

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