Kunming Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Kunming Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed ComparisonKunming Dog is originated from China but Bulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria. Kunming Dog may grow 7 cm / 2 inches shorter than Bulgarian Shepherd. Kunming Dog may weigh 19 kg / 41 pounds lesser than Bulgarian Shepherd. Kunming Dog may live 43 years less than Bulgarian Shepherd. Both Kunming Dog and Bulgarian Shepherd has almost same litter size. Both Kunming Dog and Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

kunming dog - historyKnown also as the Kunming Wolfdog, the Kunming Dog is similar in looks to the German Shepherd Dog, but the coat is recognizably shorter.

It’s an attractive looking wolf-like dog which comes from China. It isn’t quite clear which dog breeds were used in the gene pool for these Kunming wolfdogs. You can see though that the German Shepherd as well as other wolfdog-crosses have played a part in the breed's origin.

The dog was created in the early 1950s for military- and guard dog purposes. In 1988, the Chinese Public Security Bureau officially recognized the Kunming Dog as a breed. Today, the dog is still used in military and police services.

bulgarian shepherd - historyThe Bulgarian Shepard Dog comes from the ancient line of Molossers of Central Asia and Tibet, and the shepherds of the Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus. Among the oldest and most valued of the working dogs of Europe, the Bulgarian Shepherd breed was created by mixing the Balkan breeds with the dogs from Central Asia by the proto-Bulgarians around the 7th century. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Mixing this breed in with the Balkan and Central Asian mix developed the Bulgarian Shepherd we know today. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. Although the breeds are not the same, most of the dog world does not know the difference.

In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. One Kuche could run up to 1200 animals and hundreds were used by the herdsmen in the mountains of Bulgaria. There were many regional types of Bulgarian Shepherds with very little difference between those types. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Bulgarian Shepherd lives a long life of often over 20 years. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century.

Following World War II, the wolves were close to extinction and property in Bulgaria was nationalized. There was no longer a need for a large force of working dogs. The Communist government exterminated large numbers of sheep dogs including the Bulgarian Shepherd. Only those species on government owned farms and in remote regions survived. When the government farms were disbanded in the early 20th century, these dogs were exterminated as well. Only those in the mountains survived. Commercial breeding of the Bulgarian Shepherd in the end of the century has resulted in controversy as other breeds came into the breeding program.

Use of breeds such as Sarplaninacs, Caucasian Ovcharkas, St. Bernards, Central Asian Ovcharkas and Bosnian Tornjaks in these programs resulted in Bulgarian Shepherd or Karakachans that were a lot different from the original breed. There is therefore some concern about the future of the breed in Bulgaria, yet they received official Bulgarian national recognition in 2000. Today’s Bulgarian Shepherd is a guard dog for both property and livestock.

The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. Only those dogs that meet this standard are considered “true” Karakachans. The Bulgarian Shepherds are willing to fight bears and wolves in defense of its family and flock. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They are recognized by both the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology (BRFC) a member of the FCI.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
China
Bulgaria
Height Male:
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 38 kg
66 - 84 pounds
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 38 kg
66 - 84 pounds
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
45 - 57 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
5 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Kunming Wolfdog
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Colors Available:
Light tan, whitish, black and tan
BlackWhiteTricolor
Coat:
Seasonally short or medium length
Single
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

kunming dog puppy - descriptionThe Kunming is a large dog, athletic and muscular, standing at 60 – 68cm and weighing 30 – 38kg. They are dogs which fall under the Spitz type category.

The dog has a coat which is considered seasonal - double layered in the cooler months and shedding to a shorter coat in the hotter months. The thick coat can be a light tan color to white and he has a black saddle pattern, giving the dog an overall black and tan combination.

The bushy tail is long and its carried down and low except when the dog is excited and alert, then it lifts its tail. The ears are erect like that of the German Shepherd or Wolf.

Temperament:

He isn’t the best breed for a first time owner as he is very strong willed and can tend to become aggressive. It is why he has been used to perform tasks in the military.

These dogs are known for their alertness, and to keep him mentally balanced and amicable, he will need a strong, firm owner who is also fair, patient and consistent. Bored and frustrated, a Kunming can become unpredictable and a first time dog owner might not be able to cope with such an independent, strong-willed, determined, confident dog.

He is also energetic and intelligent, making a great family dog as he is loyal, loving and devoted. His intelligence allows him to learn easily too. Training and socialization will be required if you want him to be obedient.

He is adaptable and can adjust to life in the city or the countryside, but essentially he is better suited to a home with large grounds as he is a dog which is full of energy.

bulgarian shepherd puppy - descriptionA massive, powerful and muscular Molosser, the Bulgarian Shepherd is strong, agile, powerful and fast. They are intelligent and reliable. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. Their skull is massive and broad with a furrowed forehead. The muzzle is massive as well while the nose has wide nostrils and is fairly large. It has close fitting, thick lips with strong, scissor bite jaws. The Bulgarian Shepherd’s eyes are deep, oblique and small. They are either hazel or dark. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression.

Their ears are low set, small and v-shaped. They sit close to the head which sits on a powerful but short neck. They have a broad back, well-muscled body with a deep chest and long, rough tail. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. There are two types of coats – longhaired and shorthaired with no undercoats.

Characteristics

kunming dog dog - characteristicsYour attractive Kunming dog is an energetic, lively dog who is going to require a good deal of exercise as he was developed to be a working dog.

They are loving towards their human families and even well behaved with other dogs in the family. He will however need socialization and training from a firm, fair, consistent owner.

Provide him with a loving environment, lots of exercise, wholesome food, a warm, dry place to sleep and lots of mental and physical stimulation, and you’ll have a wonderful, contended pet and companion.

bulgarian shepherd dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog, intelligent and independent guard dog. Reserved around strangers but loyal and devoted with his family. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. He is quite capable of making her own independent decisions. These are very intense guard dogs that will respond aggressively if they think their people are being attacked.

Health Problems

kunming dog puppies - health problemsYour Kunming can reach 12 to 14 years of age if he is loved, fed correctly and adequately exercised. Just as with any dog, he can be susceptible to some of the common dog illnesses. These include the likes of hip dysplasia, bloat, epilepsy, eye problems, ear infections, intestinal parasites, heart disease and skin problems.

Intestinal worms:

Worms are a chronic problem in dogs and the thing is, they can infect humans too. If you don’t treat worms in your dog, it can lead to your pet becoming seriously ill. You may notice loss of appetite, a dull, thinning coat, anemia and diarrhea.

The vet will be able to offer a treatment that can help with eradicating hook-, round- and tapeworms.

Skin infections:

This may sound like a mild dog disease but it can cause a lot of misery for your pet. You’ll notice your pet licking, scratching and biting at raw, red spots on his skin. With bacterial- or yeast infections, your pet can battle with itchiness, pain and discomfort. Luckily your vet can recommend treatments to effectively alleviate symptoms.

bulgarian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe breed itself is known to be healthy but they do face some of the usual health issues of the massive, giant breeds. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. All of these conditions require medical intervention, but bloat and osteosarcoma are the deadliest. Bloat needs immediate attention and osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer.

Caring The Pet

kunming dog dogs - caringGrooming for the thick coat should be done regularly. The dog sheds quite a bit and seasonally and you'll want to brush him twice a week to rid the coat of those loose hairs.

Exercising:

The Kunming Dog is high energy and will therefore suit a family who is active and sporty. He is the kind of dog that you can include in all your activities – walks, hikes, running next to you when you go cycling and swimming.

Diet:

This is an active dog and you want the best food for him, packed with vitamins and minerals to keep him lively and energetic. Instead of giving him one large meal a day that he gulps down quickly, split his food into 2 smaller meals.

Your dog’s age, his breed and his energy levels will direct you as to how to feed him.

Remember, that although commercially manufactured dog foods need to comply with certain standards, it doesn't guarantee their goodness. It may not be digestible for your pet. If you want to use one of these foods, choose the best there is and try to mix in some wholesome home-made food from time to time.

Cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and some raw or cooked vegetables can be excellent for him as well as adding in some raw meat occasionally.

Feeding

bulgarian shepherd dogs - caringThese are large dogs with large appetites, but you want to keep them lean and active. Feed them at least twice a day with a high quality large or giant dog dry food. Four to five cups of food per day is the maximum.

Health issues

Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.

Bloat - distended or twisted stomach. Can cause death.

Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.

Entropion – eye issues when the eyelid turns inward and damages the eye.

Hip Dysplasia – May cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

The Bulgarian Shepherd needs a good amount of exercise every day. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. Long walks every day are essential for his well-being.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain View Cur vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Native American Indian Dog vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kunming Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Kunming Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Kunming Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  15. Kunming Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  16. Kunming Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  17. Kunming Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Kunming Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  19. Kunming Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  20. Kunming Dog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  21. Kunming Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  22. Kunming Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  23. Kunming Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  24. Kunming Dog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  25. Kunming Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Argentine Dogo vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Giant Schnauzer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Goldador vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Dogo Cubano vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Dogo Sardesco vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Central Asian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. German Longhaired Pointer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Pyredoodle vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Lurcher vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Sarplaninac vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Mountain View Cur vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Central Anatolian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Native American Indian Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Greenland Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Komondor vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Bulgarian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds