Podenco Canario vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison

The Podenco Canario comes from the Canary Islands (Spain) and is still used for hunting purposes to this day, although it is also becoming more of a companion dog.

It is believed that the dog descended from ancient dogs which were brought to the islands from Egypt and North Africa by early human settlers.

The Australian Bulldog was bred from several breeds: The Bullmastiff, English bulldog, the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Boxer. You will notice that his appearance is quite similar to the English bulldog, but this breed has a less-squished muzzle, fewer wrinkles and longer legs. They have great strength with a good thickness of the bone. They are solid and compact breed with good muscle tone.

The head structure of an Aussie Bulldog is one of its main attributes. It is very strong, square shaped with depth and width of muzzle less than a general bulldog. They have some wrinkle across the nose. Eyes are wide apart, large and clean. The jaw is wide and square, with strong teeth.

The name Australian Bulldog was given by Noel and Tina Green, the founders of the breed. They introduced Australian Bulldog to the public in 1998.

The Podenco Canario is a medium sized dog and stands at between 55 and 64cm and weighs between 20 and 25kg. This is a slender, muscular dog but still robust and sturdy. There are in fact 2 sizes of Podenco Canarios – one is the medium sized dog of up to 64cm and the other is a smaller size.

The coat of the dog is short and smooth and is a rich red color or even chocolate brown. There are dogs which can have some white markings. The dog's nose and skin should be a shade of red and these dogs are known to blush when they become animated. The neck of the dog is long with the head being long and slender too, with the large bat-like ears being erect.

Temperament:

This dog can become very attached to his human family and is somewhat reserved around strangers. He is smart and will be able to learn easily. Training and socialization will be necessary to him as it makes him balanced and obedient.

He will appreciate a firm, consistent, kind owner as he is a dog that is strong willed and stubborn. He is a gentle dog too and can play well with children who have been taught to treat dogs with respect. He is active and will require a good deal of daily exercise.

Australian bulldogs can be very good companions considering their natural loyalty. They just love to interact with humans and they are rarely aggressive.

They can be taught to be excellent watchdogs. The perfect place to raise this breed would be a house with a yard. The Australian Bulldog is usually dominant toward other dogs in its territory but, with proper training and early socialization, you can teach them to get along with other dogs and pets.

No matter if you are an active single, or you plan to bring an Australian bulldog puppy into the big family, as long as you are caring and loving toward him, he will be an amazing pet.

The Australian Bulldog is not recommended for apartment life. But, you can teach him to live in the smaller space if you tend to respect his daily need for activity. This breed is an indoor dog, and should not be left outside all day in a kennel. The best advice is to raise them in temperate climates since they can’t bear the extreme heat or extreme cold.

The Podenco Canario is a quiet breed that isn’t going to cause you trouble as he just slots into your way of life.

He is easy going, gentle and smart and wants to please. He is also a low maintenance dog, easy to please if he benefits from a good dose of exercise and human interaction.

Early socialization and training is important, as with any other dog breed, and then he becomes an excellent pet and friend of the family.

Around children

Australian Bulldog is a breed that will protect their family. They are great during the playtime with children as well. If you don’t have children, make sure you socialize your dog with children while he is still young.

Special talents

They are extremely intelligent. You can teach you Australian Bulldog almost everything in a very short time.

Adaptability

early socialization is a must with the Australian Bulldog.

Learning ability

you should start to train your Australian Bulldog as soon as possible. Positive reinforcement-based training methods are the ones you need to master in order to raise a good Australian Bulldog. They will be trained easily if there is a firm, consistent hand in training and they need leadership role from their owners. They can be taught very easy to be obedient and they love playing games like Frisbee, catch, water activities (but they swim very rarely because of their big and heavy chests), exploring the nature.

Your Podenco can live to be 10, 11 or 12 years of age if looked after well. Because he is a primitive breed, he is able to throw off some diseases that other dogs might battle with. Just like with other dogs however, he can battle with some health problems. One of two of the common dog illnesses to watch out for include -

Skin Problems:

Skin problems can create havoc for your dog. They can be frustrating, painful and itchy. Skin problems can come from parasites, allergies and skin infections. Common parasites that involve the skin include ticks and fleas and mites. Dogs themselves can also cause irritation of the skin by licking one area over and over again from sheer boredom and stress.

Gastric Torsion (Bloat:

To prevent this life threatening disease, try and feed your dog 2 meals a day instead of one so that he doesn't gobble his food up. This can contribute to bloat. The stomach fills with gas and the stomach can twist and bring death to the dog. Get your dog to the vet immediately if you see he is restless,drooling and has a swollen stomach.

Heartworm:

This is particularly worrisome if you live in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be deadly for your dog. Speak to your vet about preventative treatment if you are traveling to an area known for its mosquito problems..

Australian Bulldog has better health than the English bulldog and its health continues to improve with each generation.

Breathing problems

The pushed-in face causes harder breathing. Be aware that they can’t use the air to cool itself off as quickly as necessary. During the extreme heat, Australian Bulldogs can develop heat stroke and die from it.

Skin problems

Take special care of the wrinkles on their nose. They will require everyday care since wrinkles need to be cleaned and kept dry to prevent the skin infection. Bath the dog only when it is necessary because of too much bathing with soap damages the natural oils in its skin.

Obesity

The Australian Bulldog, on average, is fed two times a day. They have the high risk of obesity, so there is no real need for more than two meals. Make sure to choose a premium quality food and to feed the dog according to the instructions. Also, they need lots of fresh water since they will be super active pet.

Exercise:

Provide your dog with a daily dose of exercise. He will love to have a walk with you every day but ball games will also be important for him.

Diet:

Your Podenco Canario is a medium-breed dog, with a slim, muscular build To keep him that way, ensure he has a high quality commercially manufactured dog food that is high in the vitamins and minerals he needs.

Dry kibble needs to be enhanced with some home-made food. Boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are excellent when chopped up and added occasionally to the dry kibble. You can also include some raw meat into his food from time to time. Such nutritious food which is simple, can help your dog live a long, healthy, happy life.

Grooming:

Your dog has a short coat and a brush twice a week will keep it in tip top condition. Make use of these brushing sessions to check your dog’s coat for fleas and ticks. Also check him over for any new lumps. Cancer is an ever present threat with dogs.

Look inside his ears for any signs of redness, and try and look inside his mouth too for signs of bad teeth. His nails should also be kept short and trimmed. If they get too long they can hook onto things and rip the flesh open.

Feeding the puppy and adult: high-quality dog food for active dogs is a must. Do not overfeed them. If you are not sure about the amount of food your dog really needs, please consult a vet.

Grooming

The Australian Bulldog needs minimal grooming. They should be brushed at least once a week using a firm bristled brush. They shed a moderate amount on a regular basis so there will be loose hair to deal with. Make sure to clip the nails when necessary. They will need a tooth brushing two times a week and checking and wiping its ears once a week.

Points for Good Health: every day long walks, plenty of exercises, special skin care and regular vet check-ups.