Himalayan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison

Himalayan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed ComparisonHimalayan Mastiff is originated from India but Africanis is originated from South Africa. Himalayan Mastiff may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Africanis. Himalayan Mastiff may weigh 33 kg / 73 pounds more than Africanis. Himalayan Mastiff may live 3 years more than Africanis. Both Himalayan Mastiff and Africanis has almost same litter size. Himalayan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance. But Africanis requires Low maintenance

History

himalayan mastiff - historyThe Himalayan Mastiff or Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed. Bred to be guardians of the flock, they could take care of leopards and wolves or anything else that tied to hurt the flock. The Himalaya Mastiff is found in the Himalayan area of Tibet. They are descendants of the Tibetan dogs that developed almost any Mastiff or Molosser on earth. They may have been in the mountains since the early 1100 BC. and have been fairly isolated. It was in this isolation that the Himalayan Mastiff developed.

Their function at that time was mostly to guard property. In some circumstances an entire village is guarded by one dog. It was also during this period that the breed was taught to be aggressive by tying them up as puppies. They guarded families while the men moved the village flock higher up in the mountains. They stayed in isolation until the mid-1800’s when the Queen of England was given a Himalayan Mastiff. For thousands of years, this dog was a nomad.

Soon the breed was being exported to England. A standard was developed, and the British began to breed them. Next, they were exported to Nepal, Afghanistan, India and the United States. They are rare in Tibet these days but more popular than ever in England and the United States. The first American Himalaya Tibetan Mastiff Association came into being in 1974 and in 2006 it was recognized by the AKC.

Today in the West, the Himalayan is a domesticated, family dog. It hardly fits in an apartment of course. These new western Himalayan Mastiffs are more easy- going than the Tibetan ones, but they are still wary of strangers and somewhat aloof. They are also still very protective and nocturnal. They are smart, independent and stubborn. They are not easy to train but socialization and obedience training is essential.

A study done in 2011 showed that it is very likely that many large breed dogs were descended from this Mastiff. This includes the St. Bernard, the Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees. Later studies showed that the Mastiff’s ability to survive in the rare air of the Himalayans was due to interbreeding with Tibetan wolves in ancient, prehistoric times. Now they are competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

africanis - historyAfricanis is one of the original African breeds. This breed was not shaped by humans, but they went through the process of natural selection. Humans did not affect this breed by standard breeding practices. Through the history, this breed became stronger and stronger because only the strongest of the breed survived. Africanis descent is the early dog that is originally from ancient Egypt. Approximately 4500 BC was the period of first data about this breed.

As time passes through, Africanis became more and more popular through the whole continent. This breed migrated with people for thousands of years, and now, a modern Africanis is similar to Greyhound dog. The original Africanis can be found in tribes and more traditional people. One of the oldest breeds in the world is one of the lasts that has been recognized by Kennel Union of Southern Africa.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
India
South Africa
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Height Female:
59 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
64 - 78 kg
141 - 172 pounds
25 - 45 kg
55 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
61 - 75 kg
134 - 166 pounds
25 - 45 kg
55 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
2 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Do-Khyi Tsang-khyi Tibetan Mastiff
Bantu Dog, African Dog, Umbwa Wa Ki-Shenzi, Khoikhoi Dog, Hottentot Hunting Dog, Zulu Dog
Colors Available:
brown, sable with white markings, blue, red, black, gray, gold
Tan, White, Black, Brown and Black & Tan
Coat:
double coated, with a heavy, wooly undercoat and coarse guard hair.
Short, Hard and Thick
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Friendly, Independent, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Description

himalayan mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Himalayan Mastiff is a giant, massive dog longer than it is tall. The breed has a heavy, broad head and square muzzle. They have black noses, a level bite and almond shaped, slanted, deep set eyes. They are brown, and the ears hang close to the head. They are heavy, muscular and sturdy. They have a feathered tail curving over their back. With a heavy, thick double coat and mane they resemble a lion at times. The coat can be brown, black, and gray-blue with gold or tan markings. These are impressive and noble dogs, athletic, with cat like feet. They are agile and light on their feet.

According to some breeders there are two different kinds or types of Himalayan Mastiff. These are the Tsang-khyi or the monastery mastiff type and the Do-khyi or the nomad mastiff type. The monastery is a heavier, taller dog who face is very wrinkled while the nomad is a leaner dog with less facial wrinkles. In any litter there can be both kinds. The kind of work that was given to each dog was dependent on their type. The Monastery kind is given stationary jobs and the nomad kind got the active jobs.

africanis puppy - descriptionAfricanis origins from South Africa. The average Africanis weights 25-45 kg, with a height of 50-60cm, while females are slightly smaller. They are medium sized dogs who are friendly, but also independent and territorial. They can are good pets for training, but it requires persistent work.

The lifespan of Africans is 10-12 years, but lifespan always depends on health, genetics, and care of the dog. Therefore, if they are healthy and well cared they can live longer than average.

Litter Size variates a lot, so female can have 2-8 puppies.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

himalayan mastiff dog - characteristicsyes, they are if properly socialized.

Special talents

Their athletic ability

Adaptability

They cannot live in an apartment. They need a large yard.

Learning ability

They are intelligent, but difficult to train. They are stubborn and independent.

africanis dog - characteristicsAfricanis is a very good and healthy breed. They are very intelligent and friendly breed. They are not an aggressive breed, but they tend to protect the master. Africanis is a natural guard dog. This breed is used to being alone because for the centuries they migrated close to humans, but they also have been independent.

Training Africanis is not very hard. They tend to learn very quickly. Positive training with awards is the best way to train your Africanis. The old-fashioned way of training dogs with punishment is not recommendable for Africanis. They are intelligent breed who requires patience and constancy.

They are very good with other animals too, but they need proper socialization. Africanis requires daily exercise so if you keep your dog in the apartment it should have few daily walks. Africanis can live in the apartments though.

Overall, they are very healthy breed, so with regular vet checks and proper care, they are perfect pets for the whole family since they are great and gentle with small children and kids.

Health Problems

himalayan mastiff puppies - health problemsBeing a large breed of canine, the Himalayan Mastiff has some of the typical health issues of large dogs. However, they also face a serious genetic disorder as well.

Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy (CIDN) – a fatal disorder seen in puppies by seven weeks of age. Puppies die before they are 5 months old.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • Thyroid Issues – hypothyroidism or low thyroid test results.
  • Ear Infections – clean ears regularly to avoid these.

africanis puppies - health problemsThe great thing about Africanis is that this breed is very healthy. Thousands of years of evolution made this breed one of the toughest breeds in the world. They can survive very tough conditions. Africanis has a very healthy immune system too. It evolves so strong that there are no internal or external parasites that can harm the dog.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

himalayan mastiff dogs - caringThis breed will eat less than you think they should but don’t overfeed. Puppies need a solid dry food for large dogs. You can free feed 1 cup three times per day.

Feeding the adult

For dogs over a year old you can free feed anywhere from two to four cups of dry food per day. Unlike many other breeds, the Himalaya Mastiff will only eat when hungry and they may not eat more than once a day. They will not overeat. The males might not eat at all when females are in season if they are around them.

Points for Good Health

They have good strength and athletic ability.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Mastiff needs regular, routine walks. It is important during these walks that the human leads the way, or the dog heals. Do not overwork a young Himalayan Mastiff. They need work related jobs like structured play time, walking the boundary of their territory, playing frisbee or catch. They work and play in short bursts then rest.

Feeding the Africanis

africanis dogs - caringAfricanis has used to eat everything, so this breed does not require any special treatments. 2-2.5 cups of dry high-quality food would be more than enough to have healthy and well feed the dog. But have in mind that feeding the dog depends on daily activity and size. If the dog is more active, an extra cup wouldn’t be a problem for a dog to eat.

Feeding Africanis puppy

Africanis puppy should eat more times per day than an adult dog. 3-5 meals per day of quality dry food are good measure to feed your puppy Africanis.

Grooming Africanis

Since Africanis has short hair they are very easy to groom and care. Few brushes on a weekly basis with occasional bathing would be more than enough to have a clean and healthy dog.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Himalayan Mastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  10. Himalayan Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Himalayan Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Himalayan Mastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  13. Himalayan Mastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Himalayan Mastiff vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  15. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Himalayan Mastiff vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  17. Himalayan Mastiff vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  18. Himalayan Mastiff vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Himalayan Mastiff vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  20. Himalayan Mastiff vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  21. Himalayan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  22. Himalayan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Himalayan Mastiff vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  24. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  25. Himalayan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Malamute vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  29. Great Pyrenees vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  32. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  33. Labrador Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  34. Argentine Dogo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  35. Giant Schnauzer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  36. Africanis vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. Africanis vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  38. Africanis vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  39. Africanis vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  40. Africanis vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  42. Goldador vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Bandog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  45. Dogo Cubano vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  46. Dogo Sardesco vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  47. Beauceron vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  48. Central Asian Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mackenzie River Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  50. Black Russian Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds