MyDogBreeds
Moscow Watchdog is originated from Russia but Askal is originated from Philippines. Both Moscow Watchdog and Askal are having almost same height. Moscow Watchdog may weigh 39 kg / 86 pounds more than Askal. Moscow Watchdog may live 4 years less than Askal. Moscow Watchdog may have more litter size than Askal. Moscow Watchdog requires Moderate maintenance. But Askal requires Low maintenance
The Moscow Watchdog is a cross between the Caucasian Oytcharka, the St. Bernard and other Russian hound dogs. This large breed dog was developed in the Soviet Union for the purpose of being guard dogs. It had the awareness and assertiveness of the Oytcharka and the size, intelligence and attractiveness of the St. Bernard. The breed is common in Russia today but hardly seen anywhere else even though they were exported to the United States and Europe. The breed had the first U.S. born litter in 2015 and it is not AKC recognized.
Following the second world war crime was on the rise in the Soviet Union and a new breed of dog was needed to counter this trend. The dog had to be adaptable to very cold temperatures, snowy weather and have a guard dog personality and ability. The breed was called on to guard such locations as railroads, government offices, warehouses, infrastructure and labor camps.
The project to develop this breed was led by General Medvedev beginning in 1946 at the Central School of Military Kynology – which was a department of the Soviet Ministry of Defense. It took many years to develop the Moscow Watchdog which then became a very successful breed.
It took until 1985 for the breed to be “officially” recognized in the Soviet Union and until 1992 to be recognized by the Federation of Dog Breeders in Russia and until 1997 for the standard to be approved by the Russian Kennel Club. They are still working with the FCI to gain international recognition for the breed. At the moment they are considered a part of the Molosser group and shown in the “Special Show” in Russia.
Committed breeders brought the Moscow Watchdog to Hungary in 1986 in order to make the breed more popular. In addition to this there were many breeders from previous Soviet States that wanted to preserve the breed as well. There were about 500 Moscow Watchdogs in Hungary around then. Currently there are about 27 Moscow Watchdogs in the United States. The breed is known to be a gentle giant and very much a family dog these days.
The Askal is a native dog of the Philippines where until fairly recently it was viewed condescendingly. As strays they have been slaughtered and dished up at the dinner table. Fortunately, campaigns have been launched to protect the dogs. The Askal has existed in the Philippines for centuries but the actual origin of the dogs is unknown. Some people speculate about the dogs, saying they look like the Dingo and must have descended from Australia’s native dog.
PAWS which is an animal Rescue and Re-homing, non-profit group encourages the use of the term Aspin for the dog as opposed to Askal and has had campaigns to promote the Aspin as a wonderful, local pet – loyal, robust and intelligent. In fact the Aspin Club has now been formed to give the dogs a club of their own and to promote the local breed.
The Moscow Watchdog is related to the mountain dogs and is a very large breed. They are sturdy, muscular and powerful. They have big heads and a thick double coat that sheds profusely four times a year. They have a long tail, an arched chest and an air of confidence.
He is in the Mastiff family and is smart and trainable. He is not clumsy but has big bones. He is surprisingly agile and active for a dog his size. Unlike the St. Bernard he is not a couch potato. He is also differentiated from the St. Bernard because he does not drool.
These dogs are large but they’ve got a gentle temperament and are good with kids, being playful and energetic with them.
Even though he is a docile dog, you want him trained and socialized, and then he gets along well with other pets too. His sheer size makes it that it is best to supervise him when he’s around small children. He is also a protective dog breed, willing to bond closely to, and protect his human family.
Askals make awesome companions – intelligent and loving and their status is improving.
Askals are now being trained to be bomb and narcotics sniffing dogs and it seems as though there are talks about making the Askal the national dog of the Philippines. They’re smart enough to train and socialize if you train them with patience and kindness.
They are medium-sized, feisty dogs with fairly long thin legs with short dense coats of many different colours. With their long, pointed muzzles and good, strong teeth, their ear shapes vary too, as some have pricked ears, while others have one pricked and one floppy ear.
The Askal will make a good watch dogs and he is protective with hisr human family, getting on well with children in the home, loving their energy and games.
This is a large dog who likes to be involved and busy, even though he is so big. He isn’t suited to city life and being confined to a tiny garden as he needs space.
They’re independent dogs too and you can leave them alone during the day. He is social, so while you can leave them during the day while you’re at work, he’ll want your attention when you get back. They're such loving, loyal family pets that you owe it to him to make this gentle giant of a dog as happy as can be.
The Askal is an independent canine, street-smart and intelligent. He is a great pet for anyone who hasn't owned a pet before as he is low maintenance and undemanding.
The Askal is intelligent and you won't have trouble teaching him some tricks and socializing him. He gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets and his loyalty and devotion will ensure that he makes one hang of a companion.
He is just your 'dog next door', has no hang-ups and is simple to please. Be patient and kind to him and you'll be rewarded by having an awesome best friend.
Your Askal is wanting to be your unconditional friend through thick and thin. His undemanding, low maintenance character will mean that you won't be running to the vet with him all the time. Look after him well, include him as a member of the family and in exchange you'll have a wonderful best friend.
Moscow Watchdog is looked upon as a fairly healthy dog breed but there are some risks such as hip dysplasia as well as some other large breed problems.
With big dogs like this, hip dysplasia is a threat. Its an hereditary condition where the parent dogs pass down the problematic genes. Hip dysplasia results in inflammation and pain for your pet, and where once he loved to play, he is reluctant to and battles to get up after lying down.
Askals are healthy dogs because they are a mixed breed. The parents of a mongrel puppy have fewer genes in common than would be with a pure-bred mating. This is a distinct health advantage and mongrels are healthier and live longer than pure bred dogs. Street dogs have greater generic diversity and this gives them high resistance to many common dog illnesses.
The Askal is a tough, low maintenance dog that won’t cost you a lot of money in veterinary bills. Every Askal puppy will have to be taken to the vet to get his must-have vaccinations to protect him from killer dog diseases.
The Moscow Watchdog is a giant sized dog and will require a lot of regular exercise, and apart from a fairly brisk daily walk, will also need games and a run in the park.
As a large dog requiring a regular dose of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation, he is better suited to life in the country or at least where there is a large garden.
The Moscow Watchdog has a medium length coat, and as a moderate shedder, you will need to simply brush his coat twice a week to remove loose hair. There is no professional grooming required for these dogs.
Homemade food is always a treat for a dog, but if you’re feeding your Moscow Watchdog commercially manufactured food because of the sheer convenience it provides, make sure the packaging says 'large- or giant dog breed' food. This way you know your pet is getting the right amount of minerals and vitamins for his size.
Always buy the best quality food to avoid giving your pet an overdose of colorants and preservatives. Try and give your pet some home-made food such as boiled chicken, some brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. These can be added to his kibble every now and again.
A simple diet like this agrees with your pet and he will be healthy and happy with his lot.
the Askal is a low shedder and to keep him in tip-top condition will require you brushing his shor-haired coat twice a week.
Askals dogs are native Philippine dogs and aren’t difficult to feed. While you want to give your Askal the best quality food possible, they are unlike pure breed pedigrees and their stomachs are far more resilient to disease causing organisms that may upset the stomach. Having such a robust dog as a pet will cost you less in dog food as they can tolerate cheaper quality foods and left over scraps from the family table. Make sure the food you toss to him is fresh as you don’t want to take his strong stomach for granted and risk him getting sick. If you’re able to provide your Askal with hone cooked food, rice, vegetables and meat will be perfect for this wonderful pet of yours. Feeding your Askal will depend on your budget, but that’s the beauty with the Askal – it’s a dog that every dog-lover can own because this isn’t an exotic, expensive dog. Make sure he always has access to a bowl of clean, cool water.
The Askal has always roamed the Phillipine streets. Every dog will require some form of exercising and the Askal is no different. Take him for walks or play ball games with him to ensure he is stimulated and made to feel part of the family.