Estonian Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

Estonian Hound is originated from Estonia but Bullenbeisser is originated from Germany. Estonian Hound may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Bullenbeisser. Estonian Hound may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Bullenbeisser. Estonian Hound may live 3 years more than Bullenbeisser. Estonian Hound may have less litter size than Bullenbeisser. Estonian Hound requires Moderate maintenance. But Bullenbeisser requires Low maintenance

History

estonian hound - historyIn 1947, the Estonian Hound was developed and remains today the only pure breed ever developed in Estonia. At that time the national economic minister of the Soviet Union declared that every country in the USSR must have a national dog breed. Thus, the Estonian Hound and the Estonian Kennel Union were born. The Kennel Union is currently seeking breed recognition from the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale.

The Estonian Hound came from breeding local Estonian hunting dogs with several different breeds of foreign dogs. The Soviet decree also established that hunting dogs had to be no more than 17 inches high. This result in a hunting dog with great agility and drive that is extremely popular in now inependent Estonia. It is the national dog.

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
Estonia
Germany
Height Male:
42 - 52 cm
16 - 21 inches
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
Height Female:
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
51 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 19 kg
28 - 42 pounds
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
8 - 11
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Estonian Scenthound, Gontchaja Estonskaja
German Bulldog
Colors Available:
tan with black patches or blackish brown with red patches
Fawn or Brownish
Coat:
short, rough coat
short and dense
Shedding:
Constant
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Energetic, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

estonian hound puppy - descriptionThe Estonian Hound is a strong, muscular body of medium size, with well-developed muscles and strong bones. It has a straight muzzle and skull with defined eyebrows and long drop ears. They have black noses and dark eyes. Their back is wide and straight, and their chest is deep and wide. They have skin that is tight with no wrinkles or folds anywhere.

The Estonian Hound is double coated, but the undercoat is not well developed. The top coat is rough, short and shiny. The tail has a thick covering of hair. The color is usually white with red patches, black or brown patches or yellow patches.

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

estonian hound dog - characteristicsThe Estonian Hound is a happy dog and loves to play with children. He was bred to hunt though and he can get fixated on a scent and knock over a small child.

Special talents

He is a hunting dog with great agility and drive.

Adaptability

He has had to be adaptable through his short history and is now more a companion than a hunting dog. He can live in the city or country.

Learning ability

He is intelligent and trainable. He is lively and energetic and the challenge might be keeping his attention long enough to train.

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

Health Problems

estonian hound puppies - health problemsWith such a young breed there have not been any studies done on their health or genetic issues. It seems the breed is fairly healthy but there is too little information to really say. Being confined to Estonia there has been little commercial or backyard breeding. He is less likely than most pure breeds to have genetic issues.

It is likely that dogs of his type are at risk for:

Bloat – distended or twisted stomach

Caused by excessive exercise before or after having eaten a large meal. It is suggested that you feed your English Setter twice a day, smaller meals and not right before or after strenuous exercise.

  1. Luxating Patella
  2. Leads to lameness and arthritis
  3. Allergies skin/food
  4. See vet if issues arise
  5. Respiratory allergies - It would be very important to see vet if any breathing issues arise
  6. Joint dysplasia - This could be elbow or hip and can lead to lameness or arthritis

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

estonian hound dogs - caringFeed a high quality dry food made for puppies. Feed ¼ to ½ cup per day in 2-3 meals for the first six months.

Feed 1 to 2 cups in two meals from 6 months to a year or so.

Feeding the adult.

Feed about 2 to 3 cups in two meals.

Points for Good Health

As previously mentioned this seems to be a fairly healthy breed.

Be careful not to feed a large meal before or after exercise due to possibility of bloat.

Check their ears and clean them periodically.

Games and Exercises

The Estonian Hound is a hunting dog and needs a good deal of exercise – at least an hour and a half every day or a long walk if not used for hunting. He is a working dog with a lot of energy and stamina. Don’t let him off leash though or he will follow his nose and take off. He is usually calm and quiet indoors if he gets enough physical and mental stimulation outdoors. He can be destructive and loud, nervous and hyper if he doesn’t. They enjoy Frisbee, agility, tracking and of course hunting.

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Hungarian Vizsla vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  4. Redbone Coonhound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwegian Elkhound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Santal Hound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  7. Podenco Canario vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  8. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  9. Podenco Andaluz vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Podenco Galego vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  11. Estonian Hound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Estonian Hound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  13. Estonian Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  14. Estonian Hound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Estonian Hound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Estonian Hound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  17. Estonian Hound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  18. Estonian Hound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Estonian Hound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Estonian Hound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  21. Estonian Hound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  22. Estonian Hound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  23. Estonian Hound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  24. Estonian Hound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  25. Estonian Hound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Catahoula Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  27. Cao Fila de Sao Miguel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  29. Chow Chow vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  30. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  31. Dalmatian vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  32. Golden Doodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  33. Pomsky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  34. Sakhalin Husky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  35. Other vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  36. Chinese Shar Pei vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  37. Olde English Bulldogge vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  38. English Springer Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  39. Old English Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  40. Schnauzer vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  41. Puggle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  42. Brittany vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  43. King Charles Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  44. Fox Terrier vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  46. Collie vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  47. Pharaoh Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  48. English Setter vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  49. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  50. Catahoula Leopard vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds