Shetland Sheepdog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison

Shetland Sheepdog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed ComparisonShetland Sheepdog is originated from United Kingdom but Dogo Sardesco is originated from Italy. Shetland Sheepdog may grow 27 cm / 10 inches shorter than Dogo Sardesco. Shetland Sheepdog may weigh 33 kg / 72 pounds lesser than Dogo Sardesco. Both Shetland Sheepdog and Dogo Sardesco has almost same life span. Both Shetland Sheepdog and Dogo Sardesco has almost same litter size. Shetland Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance. But Dogo Sardesco requires Low maintenance

History

shetland sheepdog - historyThe Shetland Sheepdog was crossed with working collies and brought to the islands. They were bred on the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom.

These little dogs have always been particularly valuable to farmers who used them to herd their sheep.

During the early 20th century other crosses occurred an in 1909 and the little dog received recognition by the English Kennel Club. The first Sheltie to be registered by the American Kennel Club was in 1911.

dogo sardesco - historyThis is an ancient working dog breed which hails from the Italian island of Sardinia. When you do research, you find that no one is sure as to this dogs exact origin, and there are a number of theories as to how the dog developed.

Regardless of how the Dogo Sardesco came about, it is a valued companion of farmers in Sardinia, being appreciated for its protective nature.

The dog is a kind of Molosser or Mastiff dog. In the past the dog has been used as a working and hunting dog, and today he is a popular dog in mainland Italy. He is also known as Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser and Dogo Sardo.

The Dogo Sardesco isn’t recognized today by international kennel clubs, and breeders on the island of Sardinia have done nothing to form a breed club for the dog.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Italy
Height Male:
33 - 41 cm
12 - 17 inches
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Height Female:
33 - 41 cm
12 - 17 inches
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 12 kg
13 - 27 pounds
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 12 kg
13 - 27 pounds
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Sheltie
Dogo Sardo, Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser
Colors Available:
Mix of colors - golden, black or a steel grey color with white
black, brown, grey or brindle , Red
Coat:
Long and thick
Short, smooth, dense
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

shetland sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe small Shetland Sheepdog stands at between 33 to 41cm and weighs roughly between 6 and 12kg for both males and females. The long double coat of this dog sheds consistently, he will need to be brushed regularly.

The coat is golden, black or a steel grey color with white. The ears are erect and the tail long and feathery and the expression on this dogs face is sensitive, alert and gentle.

Temperament:

Shelties make wonderful pets for their human families and are great with children too. They’re protective, making good watchdogs. They are somewhat wary around strangers.

Smart and alert, you can train this little dog plenty of tricks because he is quick to learn. They’re such agile little dogs and are great athletes. It’s always a good idea to keep such a smart little dog busy so he doesn’t become bored.

He is able to adjust to life in the city or the countryside, so long as he is kept busy, otherwise he takes to a piercing kind of bark.

dogo sardesco puppy - descriptionThe dog Sardesco is a medium to large sized dog generally measuring 56 to 68 cm at the withers and weighing roughly 30 to 45 kg.

Because the dog isn’t bred to specific standards, it varies in appearance, but it is a powerful looking dog, being lean and athletic. The dog’s tail is traditionally docked, but with tail docking being frowned upon, the tail is left long and the dog loses its distinctive look.

The head of the dog is large and the ears are also traditionally cropped to be very short. Left naturally, the ears fold down closely to the sides of the head.The eyes are small and amber colored. The coat is short and smooth, but thick, and while it comes in many colors, the more regular color is red, brown, black, grey or brindle.

Temperament:

The Dogo Sardesco becomes a loyal family pet, more so when he has been trained and socialized. Although he is a devoted and affectionate dog, forming particularly strong bonds with his human family, he isn’t recommended for homes where there are young children.

He also doesn’t take too kindly to other pets in the home. This is because they are a strong-willed, dominant breed and might therefore not be a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Because Sardinian breeders have focused on developing an aggressive dog, he has become a dog suspicious of- and aloof with strangers. He is stubborn and self-willed, and to make him more obedient and amicable, he will require training and socialization. He is an alert, intelligent dog and this makes him an excellent watch dog.

The Sardinian Mastiff is an active dog too and won’t do well in a home where the people aren’t interested in exercise. He is the kind of dog that will need to be taken with you on walks, and he will love to spend time running alongside you when you go running or cycling.

He won’t adapt too well to life in the city, particularly when there is just a tiny garden.

Characteristics

shetland sheepdog dog - characteristicsYou’re certainly not going to have one dull moment with the Shetland sheepdog – its such a lively, intelligent, entertaining, playful and also eager to please - that's your Sheltie.

They also have a gentle, quiet side. They love the company of their human family and are able to adapt to life in the city or countryside, so long as he gets lots of attention and exercise.

They’re highly strung dogs, and an excitable child can get them barking in a high pitched way which wont be good if you live close to your neighbors.

Shelties are essentially peaceful dogs who prefer a home where its quiet and orderly. If you give this dog what it needs, just like you would for any family member of yours, you’ll be blessed with an awesome pet and companion.

dogo sardesco dog - characteristicsThe Dogo Sardesco has always performed his role as a working dog well, and this is a reliable watch dog as well as the dog takes his job of guarding his human family seriously.

With his aggressive temperament, he has appeared on the list of banned breeds, and this is why he isn’t an ideal choice for homes where there are small children, as some small children haven’t been taught how to treat a dog with respect.

However, when properly trained and socialized he becomes an excellent companion dog. He has an intimidating look about him, but when he is with his human family, another side comes out and he is affectionate, loving and protective.

Health Problems

shetland sheepdog puppies - health problemsEvery dog, no matter how healthy, can succumb to any one of the many dog illnesses there are.Some of the dog illnesses to look out for include cancer, bloat, ear infections, dental problems, hypothyroidism, skin allergies and obesity among others.

Hypothyroidism:

This illness occurs when the dog’s body doesn’t maintain sufficient levels of thyroid hormones. Your pet will be sensitive to the cold, the thick hair will be thinning and there will be weight gain. It will be wise to have your dog checked out by your vet as this is an ailment which can be managed with medication.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is an inherited condition that can lead to blindness in some dogs. It can occur in both eyes. It can be diagnosed by your vet but regrettably there is no treatment. Not spaying or neutering your dog will mean that if the have puppies the gene can be carried down to the puppies.

Dermatomyositis:

This is an inherited disorder that can cause skin lesions but also affect the muscles. Skin lesions can appear on the head and the front legs and there can be hair loss.

dogo sardesco puppies - health problemsThe Dogo Sardesco is a relatively healthy breed who is unlikely to suffer with ailments common to dogs, but nonetheless there are some diseases or conditions that you might want to be aware of with your dog.

Skeletal and visual problems can occur in this breed. Both hip- and elbow dysplasia are common orthopedic disorders in dogs and they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and even cause lifelong disability.

Genes and environmental factors play a part in your dog developing this disease.If he has been diagnosed as having hip or elbow dysplasia, get your dog to the vet as there are treatments which can at least make your pet a lot more comfortable.

Remember that feeding your puppy Dogo Sardesco too much food which is particularly high in calories can mean him growing too fast, and this can contribute to this hip dysplasia problem.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

shetland sheepdog dogs - caringThese little dogs have always been farm dogs and they will need a lot of exercise. Even so, with their small size, they can adapt to life in the city or the countryside, but will always need exercise.They love going for walks and playing games with the kids.

Grooming:

Your Sheltie will need brushing every day because the hair can so easily pick up leaves, twigs and burrs. In the warmer months some people prefer to trim the coat themselves or take the dog along to a professional groomer.

Diet:

It is best to feed adult dogs two meals a day instead of one. One can make your dog want to gobble up his food too quickly and this can result in a life threatening condition known as bloat.

How much any adult dog eats will depend on his size, his age and his activity levels.The quality of dog food you buy also makes a huge difference – the better quality the food, the more satisfied your Sheltie will be.

Some of the best commercially manufactured dog foods are convenient and they can be good if you go with the best brands that have high levels of vitamins and minerals in them. Dry kibble can be made more enticing when you add some homemade food into it.

Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will do him the world of good. Chop it up and add small portions to the kibble about twice a week. His wagging tail and prancing antics will be all the thanks you need.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will also contribute to your pet’s heath. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

dogo sardesco dogs - caringDog owners who don’t like the idea of spending too much money on grooming will appreciate that the Dogo Sardesco is a very low maintenance breed, and that a good brushing twice a week will keep the dog’s coat shiny and healthy.

As with all other dogs, he will need to have his teeth brushed to remove plaque build up. Not only does plaque lead to dental disease, but bad teeth can lead to other health issues too.

Nail clipping will also be necessary if your pet doesn’t wear the nails down naturally from getting to run on a hard surface from time to time.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shetland Sheepdog vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Shetland Sheepdog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  5. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Welsh Corgi vs Shetland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  7. Shetland Sheepdog vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  8. Shetland Sheepdog vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  9. Shetland Sheepdog vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  10. Shetland Sheepdog vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Shetland Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Shetland Sheepdog vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Shetland Sheepdog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  15. Shetland Sheepdog vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  16. Shetland Sheepdog vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  18. Shetland Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  21. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Shetland Sheepdog vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  23. Shetland Sheepdog vs Papillon - Breed Comparison
  24. Samoyed vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  25. Great Pyrenees vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  26. Presa Canario vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  27. Labrador Husky vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  28. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  29. Goldador vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  30. Dogo Sardesco vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  31. Dogo Sardesco vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  32. Dogo Sardesco vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  33. Dogo Sardesco vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  34. Dogo Sardesco vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  35. Dogo Sardesco vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  36. Dogo Sardesco vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  37. Dogo Sardesco vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  38. Dogo Sardesco vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  39. Dogo Sardesco vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  40. Dogo Sardesco vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  41. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Dogo Sardesco vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  43. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  44. Dogo Sardesco vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  45. Dogo Sardesco vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  46. Dogo Sardesco vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Dogo Sardesco vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Sardesco vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds