Serbian Mountain Hound vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison

Serbian Mountain Hound is originated from Serbia but Himalayan Mastiff is originated from India. Serbian Mountain Hound may grow 21 cm / 8 inches shorter than Himalayan Mastiff. Serbian Mountain Hound may weigh 56 kg / 123 pounds lesser than Himalayan Mastiff. Serbian Mountain Hound may live 3 years less than Himalayan Mastiff. Both Serbian Mountain Hound and Himalayan Mastiff has almost same litter size. Serbian Mountain Hound requires Low maintenance. But Himalayan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance

History

Known as the Srpski Planinski Gonic dog and coming from Yugoslavia, the Serbian Mountain Hound is one of two modern hounds that was once known as the Yugoslavian Mountain Hound or Jugoslovenski Planinski Gonic.

There isn't much information on the origins of the dogs. These two dogs are considered similar breeds, only varying in region. Its a hunting dog thought to have descended from Asian search dogs.

himalayan mastiff - historyThe Himalayan Mastiff or Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed. Bred to be guardians of the flock, they could take care of leopards and wolves or anything else that tied to hurt the flock. The Himalaya Mastiff is found in the Himalayan area of Tibet. They are descendants of the Tibetan dogs that developed almost any Mastiff or Molosser on earth. They may have been in the mountains since the early 1100 BC. and have been fairly isolated. It was in this isolation that the Himalayan Mastiff developed.

Their function at that time was mostly to guard property. In some circumstances an entire village is guarded by one dog. It was also during this period that the breed was taught to be aggressive by tying them up as puppies. They guarded families while the men moved the village flock higher up in the mountains. They stayed in isolation until the mid-1800’s when the Queen of England was given a Himalayan Mastiff. For thousands of years, this dog was a nomad.

Soon the breed was being exported to England. A standard was developed, and the British began to breed them. Next, they were exported to Nepal, Afghanistan, India and the United States. They are rare in Tibet these days but more popular than ever in England and the United States. The first American Himalaya Tibetan Mastiff Association came into being in 1974 and in 2006 it was recognized by the AKC.

Today in the West, the Himalayan is a domesticated, family dog. It hardly fits in an apartment of course. These new western Himalayan Mastiffs are more easy- going than the Tibetan ones, but they are still wary of strangers and somewhat aloof. They are also still very protective and nocturnal. They are smart, independent and stubborn. They are not easy to train but socialization and obedience training is essential.

A study done in 2011 showed that it is very likely that many large breed dogs were descended from this Mastiff. This includes the St. Bernard, the Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees. Later studies showed that the Mastiff’s ability to survive in the rare air of the Himalayans was due to interbreeding with Tibetan wolves in ancient, prehistoric times. Now they are competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Serbia
India
Height Male:
46 - 50 cm
18 - 20 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
46 - 50 cm
18 - 20 inches
59 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 22 kg
39 - 49 pounds
64 - 78 kg
141 - 172 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 22 kg
39 - 49 pounds
61 - 75 kg
134 - 166 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
5 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Srpski Planinski Gonic dog
Do-Khyi Tsang-khyi Tibetan Mastiff
Colors Available:
Black and tan
brown, sable with white markings, blue, red, black, gray, gold
Coat:
Short and thick
double coated, with a heavy, wooly undercoat and coarse guard hair.
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

The Serbian Mountain Hound is about 46 to 50cm in height and weighs around 18 to 22 kilograms. This Yugoslavian hound breed has been used in Serbia as a hunting dog and they are thought to be rare outside of Serbia.

The coat of the newer Mountain Hound is fairly short and thick and mainly black with some tan marks around the paws and muzzle. The dog has floppy ears and a long tail.

Temperament:

This is a hardy scent hound that is confident and bold. They are used to hunting on rough terrain in the Balkan region. They are independent dogs and training and socialization will refine them, making the dog obedient and well mannered.

When he isn’t outdoors, he becomes a good-natured, gentle amiable dog that is good with children in the home.

himalayan mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Himalayan Mastiff is a giant, massive dog longer than it is tall. The breed has a heavy, broad head and square muzzle. They have black noses, a level bite and almond shaped, slanted, deep set eyes. They are brown, and the ears hang close to the head. They are heavy, muscular and sturdy. They have a feathered tail curving over their back. With a heavy, thick double coat and mane they resemble a lion at times. The coat can be brown, black, and gray-blue with gold or tan markings. These are impressive and noble dogs, athletic, with cat like feet. They are agile and light on their feet.

According to some breeders there are two different kinds or types of Himalayan Mastiff. These are the Tsang-khyi or the monastery mastiff type and the Do-khyi or the nomad mastiff type. The monastery is a heavier, taller dog who face is very wrinkled while the nomad is a leaner dog with less facial wrinkles. In any litter there can be both kinds. The kind of work that was given to each dog was dependent on their type. The Monastery kind is given stationary jobs and the nomad kind got the active jobs.

Characteristics

The Serbian Mountain Hound is such a social, happy, friendly kind of dog that he makes a wonderful family pet.

He learns well, he likes to please, he gets on well with children and dogs in the home, he is independent and not a noisy barker. He is also fairly low maintenance.

Take good care of him and you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful pet and companion.

Children friendliness

himalayan mastiff dog - characteristicsyes, they are if properly socialized.

Special talents

Their athletic ability

Adaptability

They cannot live in an apartment. They need a large yard.

Learning ability

They are intelligent, but difficult to train. They are stubborn and independent.

Health Problems

Nobody wants their dog to be sick and lethargic, after all they are our best friend’s. Some ways to check the status of your dog’s health -

Breath:

Check his breath, as a bad breath, just like as with a human being, can be a sign of illness. It can also be indicative of dental problems, digestive or kidney problems.

Skin and coat:

Spread his fur and check that the skin is a healthy color – pink, grey or black. Make sure there is no crusting or itching with red, inflamed areas. Make sure the coat is thick and lustrous – not falling out and thinning.

Paws and Nails:

Make sure the nails aren’t split, flaking and broken and that the paws aren’t cut so that the dog is constantly licking them.

Super thirsty:

Every dog drinks a lot of water after hectic exercise, but if your dog suddenly becomes very thirsty more than usual, it could be indicating a medical problem, and you will need to discuss it with your vet.

himalayan mastiff puppies - health problemsBeing a large breed of canine, the Himalayan Mastiff has some of the typical health issues of large dogs. However, they also face a serious genetic disorder as well.

Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy (CIDN) – a fatal disorder seen in puppies by seven weeks of age. Puppies die before they are 5 months old.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • Thyroid Issues – hypothyroidism or low thyroid test results.
  • Ear Infections – clean ears regularly to avoid these.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

himalayan mastiff dogs - caringThis breed will eat less than you think they should but don’t overfeed. Puppies need a solid dry food for large dogs. You can free feed 1 cup three times per day.

Feeding the adult

For dogs over a year old you can free feed anywhere from two to four cups of dry food per day. Unlike many other breeds, the Himalaya Mastiff will only eat when hungry and they may not eat more than once a day. They will not overeat. The males might not eat at all when females are in season if they are around them.

Points for Good Health

They have good strength and athletic ability.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Mastiff needs regular, routine walks. It is important during these walks that the human leads the way, or the dog heals. Do not overwork a young Himalayan Mastiff. They need work related jobs like structured play time, walking the boundary of their territory, playing frisbee or catch. They work and play in short bursts then rest.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Serbian Mountain Hound vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Serbian Mountain Hound vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  9. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  10. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  12. Serbian Mountain Hound vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Serbian Mountain Hound vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  15. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  16. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  20. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  22. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  34. Himalayan Mastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  35. Himalayan Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Himalayan Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Himalayan Mastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  38. Himalayan Mastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  39. Himalayan Mastiff vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  40. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Himalayan Mastiff vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  42. Himalayan Mastiff vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  43. Himalayan Mastiff vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Himalayan Mastiff vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  45. Himalayan Mastiff vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  46. Himalayan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  47. Himalayan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Himalayan Mastiff vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  49. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  50. Himalayan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds