Nebolish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison

Nebolish Mastiff is originated from Canada but Moscow Water Dog is originated from Russia. Nebolish Mastiff may grow 40 cm / 15 inches shorter than Moscow Water Dog. Nebolish Mastiff may weigh 145 kg / 320 pounds more than Moscow Water Dog. Both Nebolish Mastiff and Moscow Water Dog has almost same life span. Both Nebolish Mastiff and Moscow Water Dog has almost same litter size. Nebolish Mastiff requires Low maintenance. But Moscow Water Dog requires Moderate maintenance

History

With the Mastiff breeds, the rarest and the smallest is the Nebolish Mastiff. Bred to be more agile than the giant mastiffs, the Nebolish was developed in Canada. They were developed by crossing several breeds, such as the English Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeux, Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Boxer, St. Bernard, and Deutsche Dogge. Perhaps there was some Great Dane as well. It was also hoped that they would have better health than the rest of the Mastiff breeds.

There are also those who believe the Nebolish Mastiff is not a Canadian crossbreed but rather the re-creation of the giant dogs that lived with the soldiers of Alexander the Great. Still others believe the breed is still being developed and no standard is yet true. They believe the dog is a hybrid. No one knows the exact breeding lines today and not many are breeding the Nebolish today. Thus, the dog is extremely rare.

Only the American Breeder Association (ABA), the Canada Molosser Association (CMA) and the Dog Registry of America Inc. (DRA) recognize the Nebolish Mastiff as a separate breed.

These dogs are courageous, loyal and dignified like all Mastiffs. They are protective of their families or their flocks. They are loving, intelligent and even-tempered. They are known to be great with kids since they are patient and calm – easy to train.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Canada
Russia
Height Male:
25 - 36 cm
9 - 15 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
23 - 32 cm
9 - 13 inches
64 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
95 - 200 kg
209 - 441 pounds
45 - 55 kg
99 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
95 - 195 kg
209 - 430 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
8 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
5 - 12
Size:
Giant dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Nebolish
Moscow River Dog, Московский Водолаз, Moscow Vodolaz, Moskovsky Vodolaz, • Russian Newfoundland,Moscow Diver, Vodolaz, Moscow Retriever,
Colors Available:
grey, brown, Fawn or brindle or silver, blond
dark brown to black, black
Coat:
smooth,
double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Intelligent
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Description

The Nebolish Mastiff is very much like all other mastiffs with the exception of height and weight. He has a large head, long legs, strong neck, oval shaped paws, wide chest and large bones. He has solid muscles, large ears and a wide snout. They usually weigh anywhere between 43 and 82 kg. They tend not to slobber like the other mastiff breeds as a result of their breeding. They have a black mask and tail may or may not be docked.

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

Children friendliness

Yes, they are very good with children.

Special talents

Agility and swimming

Adaptability

No – they don’t do well with apartments and small spaces. They need a large fenced in yard.

Learning ability

High but can be stubborn

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

Bred to be much healthier than other mastiff breeds, the Nebolish has very few health concerns. They live twice as long as most other Mastiff and giant breeds at up to 14 years. The most often reported health issue is:

bloat – where the intestines and stomach organs are twisted or distended. Bloat can be deadly so don’t hesitate on treatment. Avoid it by not overfeeding after or before exercise.

Test for Hip dysplasia as it can cause lameness or arthritis.

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

Feeding the puppy

Don’t overfeed and don’t feed too much protein in the first year. Feed 1-2 cups in two meals.

Feeding the adult

bloat – Tendency to become obese so don’t over feed. About 2-3 cups in 2 meals per day.

Points for Good Health

agility and flexibility

Games and Exercises

This intelligent breed actually enjoys training, toys and all kinds of mentally stimulating puzzles. They love water and are very good swimmers. They need an average amount of exercise - a couple walks per day. Need a large fenced yard. They make great therapy dogs and play catch.

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. Nebolish Mastiff vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  2. Nebolish Mastiff vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  3. Nebolish Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  4. Nebolish Mastiff vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  5. Nebolish Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  6. Nebolish Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  7. Nebolish Mastiff vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  8. Nebolish Mastiff vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  9. Nebolish Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Nebolish Mastiff vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Nebolish Mastiff vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Nebolish Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  13. Nebolish Mastiff vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  14. Nebolish Mastiff vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  15. Nebolish Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Nebolish Mastiff vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. Nebolish Mastiff vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  18. Nebolish Mastiff vs Mountain Burmese - Breed Comparison
  19. Nebolish Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  20. Nebolish Mastiff vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  21. Nebolish Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  22. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. Spanish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Moscow Water Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Moscow Water Dog vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Moscow Water Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  29. Moscow Water Dog vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  30. Moscow Water Dog vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Moscow Water Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  32. Moscow Water Dog vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  33. Moscow Water Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Moscow Water Dog vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  35. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Mountain Burmese vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Nebolish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Scottish Deerhound vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Shiloh Shepherd vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Moscow Water Dog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  41. Moscow Water Dog vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds