Sindh Mastiff vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Sindh Mastiff or Alangu Mastiff is an ancient breed believed to have been useful for guarding war camps, but today he is both a guard dog and pet.

There isn’t too much information available to us about the origins of this dog but it is thought that they came about from breeding the Indian Mastiff and the Alaunt.

He is likened to the Bully Kutta dog, a huge Mastiff breed from Pakistan. This dog is one of three mastiff type dog breeds to be found around Persia and India. Unfortunately because of its aggressive nature, it has been used for dog fighting.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes from Staffordshire, England, but the Irish Staffie was later developed by Irish breeders so its origin is essentially Ireland. They were developed from bulldogs and different terrier breeds.

The dog was always used for bull baiting, but when this sport died out, the Irish breeders wanted to create a taller, leaner dog suited for dog fighting. When dog fighting was banned the breed became rare again, but today it has been restored and is essentially a popular companion pet.

The Alangu Mastiff is a huge dog, standing anything from 80 – 84cm in height and weighing 62 – 68kg. He is muscular and strong. He has a broad skull with small pricked ears, wide apart eyes and a thick neck.

The legs are powerful and muscled, the skin fairly loose over the body with hair that is short ad dense. The coat can be white, tan, fawn or brindle.

Sometimes the dog has a black mask. The tail is thick and long these days, although it used to be docked.

Temperament:

This dog has a domineering, ferocious nature and that is why it has been sought after as a guard dog. He is territorial and thought to be aggressive. He is therefore not a good choice of dog for first time dog owners. He is also not a good choice for when there are children in the home or even small pets.

He is strong willed and fairly difficult to train. Of course it is a known fact that a puppy turns out a lot like its owners. Good owners produce a good tempered dog, but you have to be careful with this dog as it has aggressive tendencies.

Certainly it will require a strong, firm consistent owner, and then the dog is capable of becoming loyal and devoted. Training and socialization are possible as he is intelligent, and it does help to make him more submissive to his human owners.

The Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium sized pure-breed dog standing at roughly 43 to 48cm and weighing anything from 14 to 18kg.

He has a short, smooth coat which can be a mix of colors such as fawn, tan, black or brindle. The coat can also be bi-colored such as in fawn and white or black and white. He is a powerfully built dog with short legs which are fairly wide apart.

He has a large head and short muzzle with powerful jaws.Sometimes when he pants after a hectic bout of exercise he gets a comical, grinning look on his face. The ears are semi-erect, semi-upright and he has a long tail.

Temperament:

Your Irish Staffy is a feisty, confident dog that has been known to have a temperament which leads towards aggression. It is why he should be trained and socialized to make him more amicable and obedient. He is an intelligent and alert dog, so won't have difficulty with training.

A well trained and socialized Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier will get on well with children in the home as he is a playful, jovial dog, always ready for a game.

Domineering and quite aggressive, particularly if brought up that way, the Sindh Mastiff has a fairly long history of dog fighting. He is an intelligent dog and should be trained and socialized. He is also very territorial. He isn’t suitable for first time dog owners as he does have a bit of a reputation as being a fairly ferocious dog.

However, you have to give this dog some credit, and with the right upbringing, proper training and socialization, he can make a loyal pet and companion for a strong, firm, patient, kind and consistent type of owner.

The older Irish Staffie has always been an aggressive type dog used for fighting, but today the modern breed is capable of being a splendid, entertaining, amicable pet with an even temper. He is feisty for sure, being brave, fearless, loyal and loving with his human family members.

All it requires with this dog is to have a firm, loving upbringing, some training and socialization as well as good food and plenty of love and attention. Many dogs get labelled wrongly because of the humans that rear them the wrong way. When done correctly, the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier promises to be a wonderful, loving, loyal pet.

The Sindh Mastiff is a healthy breed of dog who could develop any one of the main dog illnesses there are, although it is highly unlikely to get the diseases.

Nonetheless it is wise to be aware of some of the illnesses.

A common problem with dogs is canine cancer, of which lymphosarcoma and bone cancer are common. Then you have to be aware of bloat or gastric dilatation volvulus, which is particular common in deep-chested dogs. The stomach dilates and twists, and blood supply is cut off.

This is a life threatening illness. Urinary tract infections and skin conditions are just some of the diseases your pet will need to contend with.

The Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, just like with any other dog, has a good chance of living a good number of years if he is fed properly. He can live to be anything up to between 10 and 16 years.

Say what you like, good nutrition and the lifestyle you provide for your Irish Staffie will determine how long he lives. An unhappy dog that has to beg for love and attention won't do well. Your Irish Staffie can live to a ripe age but he is still at risk for certain health problems.

Mastocytoma:

These mast cell tumors are graded according to their location in the skin. Certain dogs like Boxers and bulldogs are more susceptible to mast cell tumors than other breeds, and the Irish Staffie isn't immune either. Most times the tumor develops in an older dog, though young dogs have also been known to develop the tumor. These tumors can be inactive for a while and then experience some rapid growth with some redness and fluid build up. Immediate veterinary intervention will be required.

General Grooming:

This is a low maintenance dog as the short coat will only require a brush twice a week. As you brush him take note of any unusual lumps you come across.

Also, while grooming him, check the inside of his ears and look for signs of redness and the possibility of an ear infection. Look into his eyes and make sure they are clear and bright.

Check inside his mouth, if he will allow you to, and make sure he doesn’t have any bad teeth. These could cause a lot of pain and also cause problems with body organs such as the heart and the kidneys.

Exercise:

This is a big dog that is going to need plenty of exercise. He is not suited to small spaces in the city but will require a fairly large property in the suburbs or the countryside. He will become frustrated and more dangerous to others if left day after day without exercise.

Diet:

The Sindh Mastiff is an energetic dog, so it is important do ensure he has good food to eat to ensure he remains fit and energetic. For convenience, commercially manufactured dog foods can be a good choice, but only when you choose the better quality ones with vitamins and minerals in them.

Some of the inferior food brands load the food with bad fillers, colorants and preservatives and these can all make your pet sick. Try and give him some home made food too – nothing exotic – just plain boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots.

Your dog will thank you for such a plain diet as then he isn’t plagued by digestive problems. Chop it all up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week. Try and include some raw meat into the diet occasionally to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

The Irish Staffie is an active dog, who is always game for anything. He will certainly need active owners who include him in all their activities. He has a lot of stamina and endurance and will want to join you on your walks, hikes and swimming. Ignoring his exercise needs can turn him into a restless, unhappy, frustrated, destructive dog.

Grooming:

Having a short, smooth coat means your Irish Staffie being a low maintenance dog. He does shed a bit so his coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. Its always a good opportunity to check him for fleas and ticks too.

If the short coat gets too dirty, a wipe down with a damp cloth can keep the coat bright and shiny. Certainly avoid bathing him too often as this can aggravate the skin.

Check his nails and trim them if they get too long. Check his ears and teeth as these are all problem areas which can contribute to your dog becoming ill.

Diet:

Your Irish Staffie is such an energetic dog that he will need excellent food that promotes this energy. Whether you buy him the best commercially manufactured kibble, you want to also add in some home-made food such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables as well as including some raw meat occasionally. The food you provide your Staffie with needs to be full of vitamins and minerals to avoid illness. Always make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.