Sindh Mastiff vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Sindh Mastiff vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonCao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal but Sindh Mastiff is originated from India. Cao da Serra de Aires may grow 29 cm / 11 inches shorter than Sindh Mastiff. Cao da Serra de Aires may weigh 41 kg / 90 pounds lesser than Sindh Mastiff. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Sindh Mastiff has almost same life span. Cao da Serra de Aires may have less litter size than Sindh Mastiff. Cao da Serra de Aires requires Moderate Maintenance. But Sindh Mastiff requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Miscellaneous dogs
undefined
Portugal
India
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
80 - 84 cm
31 - 34 inches
Height Female:
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
80 - 84 cm
31 - 34 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
62 - 68 kg
136 - 150 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
62 - 68 kg
136 - 150 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
5 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Pakistani Mastiff, Sindhi Mastiff
Colors Available:
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
fawn or brindle, White, tan
Coat:
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Short, smooth, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

cao da serra de airesAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

sindh mastiffThe Sindh Mastiff or Alangu Mastiff is an ancient breed believed to have been useful for guarding war camps, but today he is both a guard dog and pet.

There isn’t too much information available to us about the origins of this dog but it is thought that they came about from breeding the Indian Mastiff and the Alaunt.

He is likened to the Bully Kutta dog, a huge Mastiff breed from Pakistan. This dog is one of three mastiff type dog breeds to be found around Persia and India. Unfortunately because of its aggressive nature, it has been used for dog fighting.

Description

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

sindh mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Alangu Mastiff is a huge dog, standing anything from 80 – 84cm in height and weighing 62 – 68kg. He is muscular and strong. He has a broad skull with small pricked ears, wide apart eyes and a thick neck.

The legs are powerful and muscled, the skin fairly loose over the body with hair that is short ad dense. The coat can be white, tan, fawn or brindle.

Sometimes the dog has a black mask. The tail is thick and long these days, although it used to be docked.

Temperament:

This dog has a domineering, ferocious nature and that is why it has been sought after as a guard dog. He is territorial and thought to be aggressive. He is therefore not a good choice of dog for first time dog owners. He is also not a good choice for when there are children in the home or even small pets.

He is strong willed and fairly difficult to train. Of course it is a known fact that a puppy turns out a lot like its owners. Good owners produce a good tempered dog, but you have to be careful with this dog as it has aggressive tendencies.

Certainly it will require a strong, firm consistent owner, and then the dog is capable of becoming loyal and devoted. Training and socialization are possible as he is intelligent, and it does help to make him more submissive to his human owners.

Characteristics

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

sindh mastiff dog - characteristicsDomineering and quite aggressive, particularly if brought up that way, the Sindh Mastiff has a fairly long history of dog fighting. He is an intelligent dog and should be trained and socialized. He is also very territorial. He isn’t suitable for first time dog owners as he does have a bit of a reputation as being a fairly ferocious dog.

However, you have to give this dog some credit, and with the right upbringing, proper training and socialization, he can make a loyal pet and companion for a strong, firm, patient, kind and consistent type of owner.

Health Problems

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

sindh mastiff puppies - health problemsThe Sindh Mastiff is a healthy breed of dog who could develop any one of the main dog illnesses there are, although it is highly unlikely to get the diseases.

Nonetheless it is wise to be aware of some of the illnesses.

A common problem with dogs is canine cancer, of which lymphosarcoma and bone cancer are common. Then you have to be aware of bloat or gastric dilatation volvulus, which is particular common in deep-chested dogs. The stomach dilates and twists, and blood supply is cut off.

This is a life threatening illness. Urinary tract infections and skin conditions are just some of the diseases your pet will need to contend with.

Caring The Pet

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

General Grooming:

sindh mastiff dogs - caringThis is a low maintenance dog as the short coat will only require a brush twice a week. As you brush him take note of any unusual lumps you come across.

Also, while grooming him, check the inside of his ears and look for signs of redness and the possibility of an ear infection. Look into his eyes and make sure they are clear and bright.

Check inside his mouth, if he will allow you to, and make sure he doesn’t have any bad teeth. These could cause a lot of pain and also cause problems with body organs such as the heart and the kidneys.

Exercise:

This is a big dog that is going to need plenty of exercise. He is not suited to small spaces in the city but will require a fairly large property in the suburbs or the countryside. He will become frustrated and more dangerous to others if left day after day without exercise.

Diet:

The Sindh Mastiff is an energetic dog, so it is important do ensure he has good food to eat to ensure he remains fit and energetic. For convenience, commercially manufactured dog foods can be a good choice, but only when you choose the better quality ones with vitamins and minerals in them.

Some of the inferior food brands load the food with bad fillers, colorants and preservatives and these can all make your pet sick. Try and give him some home made food too – nothing exotic – just plain boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots.

Your dog will thank you for such a plain diet as then he isn’t plagued by digestive problems. Chop it all up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week. Try and include some raw meat into the diet occasionally to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

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