Leonberger vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Hailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

This well built, powerful dog breed is also known as Indian Alangu Mastiff or Pakistani Mastiff. These dogs come from the Punjab and Sindh region of the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that mastiff dogs came with British soldiers during the British invasion, however English Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Bull Terriers and Great Danes are seen as potential ancestors of this large dog.

There are disputes about the country of origin of this breed, and some people claim that the dog comes from India, while others say it comes from Pakistan. Certainly in Pakistan these dogs are still used for fighting.

As a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

The Bully Kutta is a big, heavy, muscular dog, standing at roughly 81 – 89cm and weighing in at 70–90kg. He isn’t particularly good with children or with other pets simply because the dog is aggressive by nature. If you do opt for this large breed, you’re going to need a large garden and he is going to require a lot of exercise.

This is a dog breed that is going to require socialization and training if you want him to be obedient and calm, as he is inclined to be a dominating breed. He’s an intelligent dog and when well trained, he makes a splendid pet with firm, fair owners.

The Bully Kutta has a large, broad head which is supported by a thick well-muscled neck. The skin around his lower jaw is loose. The ears are short, set high and are mostly cropped, but other times they are left to flop over. The tail is sometimes docked but these days mostly left long and tapered.

He has a short smooth coat and is essentially white in color although the coat can also be fawn, brown, black or brindle.

Don’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

The Bully Kutta is a powerful, imposing dog and they have been nicknamed the ‘Beast from the East’. Unfortunately it is this dog’s thick bones, his looks and his strength that have him used for cruel dog fighting in Pakistan.

When not used for fighting, he makes a loyal, devoted companion for the owner who ensures proper socialization and training. Well raised Bully Kuttas are then good with children, being loving, protective and playful.

One just hopes that the future of this giant dog breed is brighter, and that he will be looked upon as more of a companion that just a dog-fighting object to bring in money for his owner.

Leonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Your Bully Kutta is generally a healthy dog and not often affected by hereditary diseases, but with giant breeds such as this you will have to look out for diseases common to large dogs.

Typical illnesses to watch out for will include hip dysplasia, arthritis, skin allergies and bloat.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an inherited condition where the hip joint is improperly formed. For your Bully Kutta it causes wear and tear as well as stiffness in the hips and your dog battles to rise after lying down.

Arthritis:

Arthritis in your dog can be managed but it can cause a lot of discomfort for him. This inflammation of the joints can cause pain and stiffness. It is more often seen in older dogs. It can also start at an early age because of problems with bone and joint development and abnormal rubbing within the joint.

Today there are a number of therapy options that can bring some kind of relief to your dog.

That long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

Grooming:

The short coat is low maintenance and as a moderate shedder too, all that is required really is to give your Bully Kutta a good brush twice a week to keep the coat in good condition.

Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week with special canine-toothpaste and toothbrush to prevent plaque build-up. He’s a drooler too, so you will need to wipe his face and maybe your clothes of slobber from time to time.

Diet:

This strong, muscular dog of yours will require an excellent diet. It’s always wonderful if you can give him home-made food such as vegetables, rice and meat. These days you get excellent commercially manufactured food for dogs, and your vet can advise you on the best food for a large, active dog such as the Buly Kutta.

Raw meat is absolutely essential for your dog from time to time and will ensure that his coat doesn’t become dull and with bald spots. Remember, that before dogs were domesticated they used to live on raw meat, so see that he gets some raw meat to prevent skin disorders. Make sure your large pet has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Bully Kuttas are going to need a walk every day in the form of exercise. If he is socialized you can take him into the park for ball games. He is a dog that will require plenty of space.