Korean Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison

This large breed dog is also known as the Mee Kyun Dosa. In spite of his huge size, he isn’t aggressive at all and is bred to be a companion dog.

He was originally developed to be a working dog. The dog was developed in the late 1800’s from European and Asian working breeds. Those interested in dog breeds suspected that a crossing of the Japanese Tosa-Inu with the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Dogue de Bordeaux brought about the breed. They also thought that the Saint Bernard and English Mastiff were brought in later on as well.

These large molosser dogs have been developed through years of inbreeding. It is one of the biggest dogs in Korea.

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.

You can’t help but stare at the Korean Mastiff because of his strong, muscular neck of loose skin that forms dewlaps. His face is wrinkled and he has a cumbersome, sluggish gait.

He is a large dog standing at anything between 59 to 76cm in height, both male and female. He can weigh between 65 to 74kg. He is noticeable because of his fairly loose fitting coat, which is short and smooth and which is a rich, shiny reddish, orange or brown colour.

The nose of the dog is broad and dark, the ears soft and floppy and he has eyes which are set wide apart.

Temperament:

The Korean Mastiff is reserved with strangers but he is friendly and even tempered with his human family, making an ideal pet.

He is looked upon as a gentle giant, being an oversized playmate for children and he also tolerates other pets in the home.

He isn't an overly energetic dog, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be exercised. He will need long walks to avoid him putting on weight.

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 huge Korean Mastiff is a good natured dog who isn’t aggressive. He loves being with his human family and makes a particularly good pet when he has been trained and socialized.

He likes a firm but fair owner who takes a leader-of-the-pack role. In spite of his largeness and sluggishness, he can be quite agile and makes a good watchdog too.

All round, the Korean Mastiff, known as a gentle giant, is capable of making you a splendidly friendly, loving canine companion.

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.

Treat your big Mastiff dog like the wonderful fur-child he is and make sure your attend to all his medical needs to avoid pain and discomfort for him.

Cherry Eye:

Cherry eye is a fairly common health issue with this breed. It affects the tear gland of the third eyelid, and if left untreated, can lead to ongoing eye problems.

All dogs have a third eyelid, as well as two tear producing glands to lubricate the eyes. Its an important protective component to eye health in dogs. When the connective tissue that holds the gland in place is damaged or weak, there is a red protrusion of the gland from the lower eye. This is a congenital disorder. Don’t ignore it, but get your pet to the vet so you can catch it early.

Bloat:

Canine bloat, known as gastric dilatation and volvulus can be a killer disease for your pet, more so with deep-chested, large breeds.

Gas accumulation is known as bloat, and its the accumulation of gas which can cause the stomach to rotate. A dog can go into shock from bloat. The reason for this is that the stomach expands, putting pressure on veins. Blood can’t flow as it should and the blood supply gets cut off to the stomach.

Your dog could be vomiting, restless, the stomach hard and bloated or he may be drooling. Dogs who gobble their food down and eat just one large meal a day have an increased susceptibility to GDV than other dogs.

The wrong ingredients of a dog’s diet can also contribute to bloat. High quality food and feeding your pet smaller meals can help.

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.

Grooming:

A Korean Mastiff is an easy dog to groom with his short smooth coat. He is a moderate shedder so a brush twice a week will be sufficient to maintain the shiny, smooth condition of his coat.

Because the dog has lots of skin and folds, these folds will need to be washed and kept clean as grime can collect.

While you're busy attending to his skin check his nails too and check inside and outside his ears for signs of redness and irritation.

Diet:

Puppies use up more energy than mature adults, requiring a diet of good quality protein. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered will require less calories as will senior dogs.

Korean Mastiffs require high quality nutrition, and if its dry kibble, make sure its the best brand. Mix in some home-made food such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables from time to time as well as some raw meat occasionally.

Protein and fat from good sources are top ingredients for your Korean Mastiff. Avoid food with allergens such as corn and wheat, sweeteners, preservatives and colorants.

Make sure your large pet has constant access to fresh water.

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.