Chart Polski vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison

The Chart Polski dog is a member of the Greyhound family and comes from Poland. He is an old dog breed dating way back to the 1600s.

The dog also goes by other names such as the Polish Sighthound and the Polish Greyhound. The dog looks quite similar to the English Greyhound and has been used as a hunting dog. With his exceptional speed, he has been able to run down prey.

The Chart Polski has always been seen in privileged classes, and after dying out to some extent, it became popular again in the 1970s. It is looked upon as a companion dog essentially while also still being used for hunting in Poland.

Today, the Polish Kennel Club as well as the Federation Cynologique Internationale, and the United Kennel Club recognize the breed.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano which is also known as the Transmontano Mastiff or Transmontano Cattle Dog is a large dog – in fact a giant dog breed. This is a rare molosser working dog, hailing from the region of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province in Portugal.

The large dog has always been used to herd livestock and to also ward off wolves. It is believed that the dog’s roots come from the Tibetan Mastiff as well as a Portuguese cattle dog known as the Rafeiro do Alentejo. The dog also shares some similarities with the short-haired Estrela Mountain Dog.

In 1995 the breed was still exclusive to Portugal, but now the breed has been imported to Oregon, USA to be part of an experiment to document bigger breeds and their role in protecting livestock from wolves. They were re-introduced to north-east Oregon from 2008.

The Chart Polski looks similar to other sighthound breeds, and is a large breed, standing at between 68-80cm and weighing between 26 and 32kg. He is well muscled, slender and lean.

The face is typically long and narrow, although the muzzle is somewhat blunter than most sighthounds. His coat is short and sleek and can be in colors such as white, tan, black or a combination of these. His eyes are large and dark brown, the ears medium sized and narrow and usually folded back while the tail is long and curved at the tip.

Temperament: 

The Chart Polski’s temperament is somewhat different to most sighthounds and he is thought to be more gentler and evenly tempered. He is loving and affectionate and will form a close bone with his human family.

He is confident, stubborn and strong-willed, and because he has been used for hunting, he has also got some aggressive tendencies towards other animals. He will need training and socialization to ensure he is good around other pets in the home as well as with children.

He becomes obedient and responsive with this training and socialization. He is a territorial breed, being protective around what he considers his own property and will make a good watchdog.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a large dog, believed to be the biggest of the Portuguese dog breeds. He is powerful and muscular with a large head and can stand up to 83cm in height and can weigh up to 65kg.

He is tough, and is quite comfortable living outside. He is a long-legged dog with a wide chest with medium length floppy ears and a long tail. The coat is fairly short although it can be in a variety of lengths. It is the medium length coated dog with the right coloring that is looked upon as a pure breed. The dog is white with large patches of brown, fawn, grey, brindle and black shades.

Temperament:

The Transmontano Mastiff is an intelligent, obedient dog who is also independent and stubborn. As with all dogs, it is important to have him trained and socialized as this makes him obedient and eager to please. He loves to be patted by his owners and is a dog which is easy to train, responding well to firmness and fairness.

He is calm and somewhat docile but at the same time he is energetic and alert, making him a good watchdog. He won’t do well cooped up in a tiny space. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home.

Your Chart Polski or Polish Greyhound promises to be a loving, devoted pet that fits in well to a family that will give him good exercise and look after him well.

He isn’t as gentle as other hounds and can therefore make a good watchdog too. He is territorial and wants to protect all those he regards as his own.

Train him and socialize him, and you will see that this intelligent, independent and self-confident dog can become obedient and also relaxed around people as well as other pets in the home, making him a splendid pet for those who admire these tall, slender dogs.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano may look like a fairly formidable dog but they aren’t aggressive. They are full of courage and are above all, loving and loyal to their human family.

When you choose to have one of these large dogs as your pet, it is important to make sure he knows that you’re the leader. With training and socialization this dog is a gentle giant who makes an exceptional family pet.

The Chart Polski can live to be 10 – 12 years when he gets his full quota of care in terms of good diet, exercise, love and care and a nice dry, warm place to sleep.

He isn’t known to have any specific health issues that could shorten his life, but by knowing about some of the common dog ailments there are, you can watch your pet and even prevent some risks.

Periodontal Disease:

People often think that bad teeth can’t do much harm, but tartar build-up can progress to gum disease, to the roots of the teeth and to damaging other parts of the body such as kidney-, liver- and heart.

Infections:

Bacterial and viral infections are a threat to any dog, and rabies and parvo for instance can take your pet’s life. Remember that terrible diseases such as these can be prevented through having your dog vaccinated.

Parasites:

Dogs are open to getting all kinds of parasites inside- as well as outside on the skin. Hookworm, roundworm, fleas and ticks are examples of these parasites that can get into your pet’s system through dirty food,water and bites from mosquitoes. Some of these parasites can even be transmitted to you.

If your pet is in any way run down, get him to a vet immediately as there is an effective treatment.

The Cão de Gado Transmontano is a tough dog, used to spending long hours outside guarding sheep. These days however, he is also a companion dog and you’ll want to be aware of some common dog ailments that can strip him of his health and his joy of life.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a looseness with the hip joint, and while it can occur with all dogs, it is more common in large dogs. It’s a disease which can lead to arthritis, pain and also joint degeneration. It’s a disease which can be debilitating for the dog and you will need to get your dog to the vet.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This is a heart disease seen in large breed dogs and where the heart becomes weak and can’t properly pump blood throughout the body. Symptoms include coughing, weakness, difficulty with breathing as well as a fluid-distended abdomen.

The Chart Polski was bred as a hunting dog and to run at top speed to bring down its prey. Today, he is tall and lean and still loves to run, and will therefore require a good deal of exercise.

Don’t let his slender build deceive you because he is powerful and will need a walk every day and be given the opportunity to run. He will happily accompany you when you go running or cycling. Left un-exercised, he will become frustrated and aggressive and even destructive, so as a responsible dog owner, it is up to you to ensure he is well exercised.

Diet:

The Chart Polski is a large breed puppy and they tend to grow fast at first. You want to make sure that he doesn’t put on weight too quickly as this puts them at risk for skeletal development problems later on such as hip- and elbow dysplasia. Speak to your veterinarian about feeding your puppy correctly so that he grows slowly, allowing his bones and joints to develop strongly and healthily.

Your adult Chart Polski will also need a special diet that caters for his size and energy levels. Remember to include some raw meat into his diet occasionally as well, as this will help him steer clear of dry, allergic skin conditions. Always ensure that he has access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

As a hunting dog, you’ll find the Chart Polski to require little grooming. No trimming or stripping is required for his short coat and you’ll simply need to brush him down twice a week.

Diet:

Just because this is a large dog, doesn’t mean you need to over-feed him. He is muscular and athletic, and by watching his diet, he’ll continue to be strong, lean and healthy. You can feed him a top quality pet-food brand and include boiled chicken, rice and vegetables. Every now and then mix in some raw meat with his dog food to ensure that his skin remains free of rashes and itchiness. Fresh, cool water must be available to him day and night as he drinks abundantly.

Grooming:

Some dog breeds need to be trimmed or stripped to look good, and dog owners often invest in expensive equipment to groom their pets themselves, Fortunately the large Cão de Gado Transmontano is a low maintenance dog and all you’ll need to do is give him a good brush-down twice a week.

Check his eyes, ears, teeth and nails regularly. Remember that dental hygiene is imperative and special canine toothbrush and toothpaste is available to brush your dog’s teeth 2 or 3x a week to get rid of plaque and to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.