Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Majorca Shepherd Dog or Ca de Bestiar, the very name Perro de Pastor Mallorquin means Shepherd dog of Mallorca.

The dog hails from Spain and has been used as a general purpose farm dog. The diligent work of fans of the dog to encourage its development were rewarded when the dog - both short- and long haired varieties - gained recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

The dog is really only popular in its homeland where it is appreciated for its guarding and herding abilities.

In the 1970’s feral pig hunters wanted a dog that could be aggressive in finding and capturing the pigs. The hunters crossed the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Bull Terrier and the Greyhound to develop the Bull Arab. It is believed that the hybrid is at least 50% Bull Terrier. It is also possible that there is some Doberman, Mastiff, Great Dane and/or Pointer in the hybrid as well.

The job of the Bull Arab is to hunt out the feral pigs, grab one by the ear and hold it until the hunter arrives. They have a strong sense of smell and that is how they find the pigs.

Mike Hodgens, an Australian, developed the hybrid and added some Bloodhound as well to get that ability to smell out the pigs at great distances. They are also capable of catching buffalo and cattle. Some Australians use the breed in cattle or buffalo ranching. They are registered with the DRA or Dog Registry of America, Inc.

The Perro de Pastor Mallorquin is a large dog which stands between 62 and 73 cm and weighs between 35 and 40kg. Most of them are short haired, ensuring low grooming requirements for the owner. The coat is black, in fact the Fédération Cynologique Internationale says its the only color which is acceptable. He has floppy ears and the tail is long, rising when the dog is on the move.

Temperament:

The Perro de Pastor Mellorquin is a dominant, independent and wilful dog that will need to be trained and socialized if he is to be obedient. He is fiercely devoted to his owner, being loving and protective. This training is actually important as the Majorca Shepherd Dog doesn't take easily to strangers and can in fact show signs of aggression when around them.

It is qualities like this that make him a good guardian and watchdog. With training and socialization he will be able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as with children who have been taught how to respect- and be kind to animals.

He is an active dog too and it is better to have such a dog in the suburbs or the countryside as opposed to living in a small city property.

Mike Hodgens succeeded in developing a powerful, well built dog. The Bull Arab has a powerful head and muzzle. He has moderate length drop ears and bright eyes that match the color of his coat. His chest is neither shallow nor deep and his back is straight and strong. Their tails are tapered and pointed yet the base is thick. They are a double-coated dog. They can be white with black, tan or liver, flecked or bicolor.

The Perro de Pastor Mallorquin is a dog known for its devotion to its owner, taking on his role as guardian and protector very seriously.

It is a courageous dog, strong willed and confident and isn't recommended as a first choice of dog for the novice dog owner, although there have been first-time dog owners who bring their dogs up correctly and have tremendous success with them.

Provide your dog with a firm consistent, kind, patient and loving home, and you can also be one of those first-time dog owners who highly recommend this dog as an awesome pet for any household.

The Bull Arab is intelligent, calm and loyal. Like Pit Bulls in the U.S., the Bull Arab has a reputation for aggression against both people and animals. There is no data to support these claims. They have been used as therapy dogs and companion animals very successfully. They are great with kids and very affectionate. The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals

A dog can live a long, happy life when he has been looked after well. Makig sure he doesn't become obese, giving him enough exercise and loving him can ensure longevity. Your Perro de Pastor Mallorquin can live to be 13, 14 or 15 years of age, but there are always some common dog illnesses to be aware of -

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

This is a disease of the hip where the ball and socket joint isn’t formed properly. The result is a joint that rubs as opposed to sliding smoothly. This is one of the most common skeletal diseases in dogs seen more often in large dogs. The disease can start while the dog is still young and it can lead to osteoarthritis an decreased activity.

Eye Diseases:

One of the eye diseases is when the uvea of the eye becomes inflamed, creating a painful condition known as anterior uveitis or inflammation of the front of the eye.

This disease can threaten your dog’s vision. It is painful with redness of the eye, there could be a discharge too as well as excessive watery eyes. Cancer, infections and injury can all be to blame and your vet will want to examine your dog.

This is an extremely healthy hybrid with no inherited issues, but they can possible have the same health issues as any of the parent breeds. This can include accidents while hunting, hip and elbow dysplasia and ear infections.

Grooming:

The Majorca Shepherd Dog isn't a heavy shedder but still, he will require some basic grooming such as brushing the coat twice a week to remove loose hairs and to retain his natural shine.

Other care and grooming routines for your pet are to check inside his mouth for dental disease as problem teeth can cause a host of diseases in the body.

Check inside his ears too and make sure they aren't red and itchy as this could be indicative of an ear infection.

Nail clipping is also important as his nails can hook onto things and rip open the flesh around the paw area.

Exercise:

These dogs are lively and energetic, having been used to do lots of work herding and guarding sheep. He isn't a dog to be left in the backyard day after day without human inter-action and exercise. He will require some hectic exercise every day and will love to join you with your jogging or cycling, running beside you. Take him with you on our walks and hikes.

Diet:

Only the best dog food is recommended for this dog of yours. If you intend feeding your pet commercially manufactured food, make sure its the best quality ones – those with protein listed at the top of the ingredient list and with a good amount of vitamins and minerals.

Choose the food according to your dog's size, his age and his energy levels. If you're going to give your pet home-made food, keep it simple to avoid upset stomachs and vet's bills.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked vegetables such as spinach, sweet potato and carrots are wonderful for a dog when added into the kibble occasionally as a tasty treat. You can also try to include some raw meat into the kibble from time to time.

Dog's just want simple, wholesome foods like this, no unpleasant surprises of spicy, 'people foods'. Never leave your pet without a supply of fresh, cool water.

Vaccines:

Take your puppy to the vet to have his vaccines, as the canine parvo-virus (CPV) infection for instance, isn't only a very contagious viral illness that affects dogs, it can be a killer. Keep a check on your adult dog too and see that he gets to the vet at any sign of illness.

Feeding

This is a working dog so he needs to eat the right kind of quality dog food. In order to avoid bloat do not feed large meals but rather feed one to two cups of food two to three times a day.

Health issues

Displaysia – can cause lameness and arthritis

Ear Infections – check and clean regularly

Hunting Accidents – this is the biggest reasons for health problems with the Bull Arab.

Exercise and games

These are working dogs that are inactive when not working. They need a lot of exercise if they are not used for hunting. Agility, Tracking and hunting games, and field trials.