Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever - 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.

Fondly referred to as the Chessie, the ‘Labrador-look-alike’ Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s history extends to St. Johns Newfoundland pups which were rescued off a ship off the coast of Maryland in 1807. The Chesapeake is an American breed.

It is believed that the Newfoundland puppies as they grew, were bred with area dogs, with there being few records of the early dogs, but it is believed that spaniels and dogs were included.

In 1918 the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club and in 1964 the dog was declared the official dog of Maryland.

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.

The Chesapeake is a large dog belonging to the Sporting breed group. Perhaps one of the more distinctive features of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the yellowish eyes.

This is a strong, well muscled dog that stands anywhere from 61 – 66cm and weighs between 30 – 45kg. The short, thick coat of the dog is waterproof and comes in colors ranging from brown to reddish yellow to chestnut shades.

The head of the Chesapeake is broad and roundish with medium length floppy ears. The tail is long. The toes are webbed which helps makes the dog an excellent swimmer as well.

Temperament:

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a happy kind of dog with a bright, alert, intelligent expression. He loves water and is guaranteed to make a wonderful pet for any family.

With his wonderful characteristics, it is worth training him and socializing him as this training sets parameters for him so that he becomes a wonderfully obedient dog that gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever is ready to be your best friend and companion. This dog breed is highly active and he’ll fit easily into a family that is active and can ensure he is involved in all their activities.

He loves human companionship and is protective, making him a good watchdog.

The beauty about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is that he is generally an even tempered dog, and once trained and socialized, becomes a truly splendid pet, one that will be loving and loyal with his owners.

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.

By taking good care of your Chesapeake, you can ensure his teeth remain strong, his nose is wet and his coat glossy and healthy. He is a robust breed as it is, but there are always some common dog diseases to watch out for -

Obesity:

Obesity is an ailment that is afflicting many humans and their pets. Being overweight can bring on a host of unwanted diseases. Obesity is a serious disease that can contribute to digestive disorders, back pain, heart disease and joint problems.

Instead of showering him with little treats to show him how much you love him, rather stroke him or play a game with him – it’s the ultimate treat for him – your attention.

Spay or Neuter:

Remember that if you aren’t going to let your Chessie become a parent, the best thing you can do for your male or female is to have them spayed or neutered. In fact, spaying or neutering can decrease the likelihood of your pet getting certain types of cancers as well as other illnesses. Speak to your vet and discover how these procedures can be very beneficial for your pet.

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.

Grooming:

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever sheds fairly heavily throughout the year. The coat should be brushed at least twice a week to remove dead hair. Brushing is good for the dog too as it distributes the oils of the skin, making his coat shinier.

Because the Chesapeake has floppy ears, the ears will need to be checked on a weekly basis for signs of infection. This is of particular importance if your Chessie loves to spend time splashing around in water. The veterinarian can recommend and also advise on cleaners for your dog’s ears.

Diet and Exercise:

An excellent diet and plenty of exercise will ensure your Chessie can live to be 11, 12 or 13 years of age. You want to keep his diet of kibble, rice, vegetables and meat consistent so as not to upset his stomach.

Avoid giving him foods such as chocolates. Do research on the harm you can do to your pet when you feed him some human foods that are entirely not meant for a dog’s digestive system.

Make sure to always have a constant supply of fresh, clean water for him.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has always loved to be active - hunting for- and retrieving birds from rivers and lakes. He is used to being active and will require a good supply of exercise. Take him for long walks and let him join you on your runs or your cycling.