Turnspit Dog vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Turnspit Dog is originated from United Kingdom but Dogo Cubano is originated from Cuba. Turnspit Dog may grow 25 cm / 9 inches shorter than Dogo Cubano. Turnspit Dog may weigh 32 kg / 70 pounds lesser than Dogo Cubano. Turnspit Dog may live 5 years more than Dogo Cubano. Turnspit Dog may have less litter size than Dogo Cubano. Both Turnspit Dog and Dogo Cubano requires Low maintenance.

History

It is amazing that this small dog’s popularity comes from him being used in the kitchens to roast meat. The British enjoyed eating their meat which they roasted on a fire.

These dogs were essentially regarded as a tool – a means to an end, and when kitchens were modernized, they were no longer needed, and they became extinct.

Referred to as the kitchen dog or cooking dog, the first mention of these little dogs was made in 1576. By 1850 the dogs had become scarce and by 1900 it seemed as though there were none left.

The Cuban Mastiff which came from Cuba, was developed from breeds of Mastiffs, Bulldogs and cattle dogs, with the breed being thought to be extinct since the end of the 19th century.

The Dogo Cubano had a number of roles to fulfill in its day and they were used for guarding stock, for dog fighting and for chasing runaway slaves. After the abolishment of slavery, the large dog had no real role and it died out.

Known also as the Cuban Mastiff or Mastin de Cuba, there isn’t much accuracy as to its origins, with the most common story for their origin being that they are descendants of the Molossus.

The dogs were later introduced into Western Europe, becoming fairly common in England and Spain. The dog was also was also mentioned in the works of canine authors Stonehenge and George Wood.

Description

The Turnspit was a small long-bodied dog, standing at between 20 to 30cm in height and probably weighed anything between 9 and 14kg in height.

The legs were somewhat crooked or bandy and Edward Jesse, who wrote ‘Anecdote of Dogs’ in 1846 described them as ugly dogs with a miserable look to them. That was probably due to him having to fit into the hamster-like wheel contraption that turned the meat being roasted in the kitchens.

They were low-bodied dogs, similar to a Dachshund or a Corgi with short, stocky legs, short floppy ears, and a short coat. The long tail curled over its back. It is believed that the coats were white, reddish-brown, gray or black.

Temperament:

The dog was certainly feisty, energetic and hard-working with not much being written about his temperament. He was a working dog, but given the chance, he would no doubt have been loving and loyal, longing for the chance just to be part of a human family and to be loved.

The Dogo Cubano was generally similar to other Mastiffs and stood at rough 48 – 55cm in height and weighing in the region of 45kg.

He was a large dog, powerfully built, muscular and strong. Images of the dog show that it had strong, straight legs with a long tapering tail and medium-sized floppy ears that were sometimes cropped upwards and close to the head.

The dog breed came in a variety of colors such as brown, tan, fawn and brindle. The muzzle was broad and short and black. The dog had pronounced jowls with its face being fairly wrinkly.

Temperament:

This large dog was known for being a courageous, independent and aggressive dog. He became attached to his owner, showing protective characteristics .In those days the dog would have received simple training and certainly if such a large dog still existed today, it would have to receive training and socialization as well.

The Dogo Cubano was an intelligent dog and easily trainable, requiring an owner with a firm hand. Being an aggressive breed, the dog possibly wouldn’t have been the best companion for children. He also wouldn’t have got on too well with pets in the home as he was trained to be a fighter in his day. Independent and strong-willed, the dog would not have suited a novice dog owner.

Characteristics

The Turnspit dog had a tough life, but would no doubt have made a wonderful little pet had he just been allowed to be a companion dog.

When he was no longer needed, he was discarded.

Make sure that when you buy a dog, you don't just put him in your backyard and forget about him. Give him the love and care he deserves.

The Dogo Cubano was bred to be a guard dog as well as for dog fighting, but this large dog, with training and socialization, no doubt became a loyal and devoted family pet.

It was actually a social dog, being aggressive towards other dogs. He would be described as a dog better suited to a home with older children.

He was protective with his human family but not very active, being too big to be leaping around like other dog breeds. It is a pity that this large dog has disappeared as he had some good qualities.

Health Problems

The health and lifespan of a dog is influenced by quite a few things such as food, care, love, exercise and the type of breed it is. Generally smaller dogs live longer than big dogs, and mixed breed dogs live longer than pure breeds.

The Turnspit dog, if he had received the proper care, could have lived to between 10 and 15 years of age.

Some of the health issues facing small dogs like these would include -

Hypoglycemia:

Stress can bring on a sudden drop in blood sugar. The Turnspit had reason to be stressed, working hard in horrible conditions. Dogs become weak and lethargic and can scarcely maintain an even gait. A sudden drop in blood sugar can cause a small dog to go into a fatal coma.

Pancreatitis:

This ailment seems to occur more often with smaller dogs. The pancreas becomes inflamed and your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. Pancreatitis can come about because of trauma, metabolic disorders or infection.

The Dogo Cubano was a generally healthy breed, but just like with most other dog breeds, they were also prone to some of the more common dog problems. The chances of him getting sick were slim though.

When the dog first originated, there were unlikely to have been health clearance certificates, but today, you’d want health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

The reason for this is that hip dysplasia is a heritable condition, seen more often in large dogs, where the thigh bone doesn’t fit into the hip joint properly. The dog suffers with pain and discomfort and the condition can lead to lameness with the dog.

Gastric Torsion or Bloat is a life threatening condition that affects large dogs like the Dogo Cubano and those with deep chests. The stomach is distended with gas and it can twist.

The gas can’t escape and blood flow is hindered. The dog vomits, is lethargic and weak, and immediate veterinary help will be required.

Caring The Pet

A dog is man's best friend, but the Turnspit was essentially just a working dog and most likely didn’t receive the proper care he deserved.

Small dogs like these would have had basic needs. Their owners would have had to pay attention to the dog's health, because he needed to work.

We look at ways in which a small dog like the Turnspit should have been cared for -

Diet:

One wonders if the Turnspit was allowed to eat any of the roast meat he worked so hard on to get ready. Every dog should have a regular meal.

Most adult dogs should be fed 2 meals of kibble a day. If the Turnspit wasn’t extinct he would have required a high quality ‘small dog breed’ commercial dog food. Home-made food would also be a requirement – some boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Dogs want and appreciate simple, wholesome foods that won’t upset their digestive systems.

Along with good food, dogs need cool, fresh water constantly available to stay healthy.

Provide your dog with a warm dry, quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

Make sure he gets to the veterinarian if he is sick, but also for his vaccines to prevent him from getting some of the worst dog diseases there are.

Spay or neuter your dog if you don’t intend to breed your dog,

Groom your small dog regularly. The Turnspit had a shortish coat and would have required a brush twice a week. Other grooming procedures for a small dog like the Turnspit would have been keeping his nails trimmed and checking the inside of his ears and his mouth for ear infections and dental disease.

Exercise for a small dog is important – walks and ball games.

Exercise:

The Dogo Cubano was a large dog, so if he did become used to living in the city, he would have adapted better to life in the country.

He wasn’t a dog requiring too much exercise but he would have needed to go for walks. They were used as guard dogs long ago, and if he had been in existence today, you wouldn’t have been able to include him in your jogging and cycling as he was a dog that could easily overheat.

Diet:

Not all dogs require the same amount of food. Long ago the Dogo Cubano wouldn’t have had the same variety of dog foods available today. Maybe the dog in those days was fed the same kind of food that his owner ate.

Today, if these dogs were still around, they would require the best quality ‘large dog breed’ kibble.

The better the dog food, the more nourishing it is and the healthier the dog is. The Dog Cubano would likely have been a dog that drooled, leaving quite a bit of backwash in the water bowl, so it would have been important to wash out the drinking bowl and to regularly replace it with cool, fresh water.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Cuba
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
48 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
48 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
42 - 46 kg
92 - 102 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
42 - 46 kg
92 - 102 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
2 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Vernepator cur, kitchen dog
Cuban Mastiff, Mastin de Cuba
Colors Available:
White, gray or black., reddish-brown
brindle, Brown, fawn, tan
Coat:
Shortish
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

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

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds