The Spanish Bulldog (AKA Alano Espanol or Spanish Alano) is in the background of numerous molosser breeds including the Bulldog, the Mastiff and the Dogue de Bordeaux to name just a few! An ancient breed, he is most known for the role he played in the royal Spanish army although was also used as a cattle dog, guard dog, bullfighter, and for hunting. At one point quite popular, he had been owned and written about by numerous poets, authors, historians and playwrights of old. Unfortunately, as guns became more advanced and plentiful, the role of this breed as an army dog declined and numbers began to drop. Combined with the importation of other “exotic” breeds from other countries saw the population decline even more. In the early 1980’s, interested parties sprang up to revive the breed including a project from the University of Cordoba, and the breed was saved and eventually recognized by the Royal Spanish Canine Society in 2003.

Spanish Bulldogs tend to be naturally dominant and need owners that are dog-savvy. That said, when proper rules are put in place they are respectful of those rules and the people that enforce them. They should have balanced and reliable temperaments when raised correctly, and furthermore can be trained to be quite obedient. They are naturally loyal don’t need a harsh hand in order to learn. In fact, as long as the owner is firm yet fair, this breed is likely to respond even to a whispered command! This is a thinking breed that excels when given a job to do, whether it be a high-impact sport or even put to work as a therapy dog – a job which they tend to shine in.

Spanish Bulldogs are a lively breed that love to play and be affectionate toward their owners! While normally reserved around strangers, if well socialized and taught to love new people they can become quite social. The same can be said for other animals – growing up around other pets will teach them to enjoy being part of a multi-species pack. This breed was often used to hunt in packs and are therefore often good around other dogs although it should be noted that if another dog starts a fight they won’t back down. They can also be good with children as they are quite patient. Finally, they are quiet dogs that don’t tend to bark excessively which makes them easier to live with in more urban areas. Not only do their friendly natures set them apart from similar related breeds, they are also not prone to drooling – an added plus!

Spanish Bulldogs are very athletic and do well in active households. The breed can jump amazing distances, even from a standstill, as well as display all sorts of acrobatic feats including climbing trees! They definitely require an owner that can keep up. This dog enjoys a lot of time outdoors and would be a good match for an owner that is equally outdoor-centric. Never being bred for appearance, they were instead bred to withstand tough and rugged environments and as such, are exceptionally hardy and healthy. Known for doing well in all manner of climates, this is also one of the rare breeds that can do surprisingly well living outside – although being so social, it is not recommended to keep them in the backyard with little human contact. This loyal breed loves spending time with his family and additionally needs a lot of structured exercise to boot.

It should come as no surprise due to his background that the Spanish Bulldog makes an excellent guard dog, and he will stop at nothing (save for his owner’s command) to pursue his target. Imbued with a high pain tolerance, he was known to fight to the death when going after a target – even in pursuit of a wild animal such as a bear or boar! His large robust build, strength and naturally protective instinct make him great at this job, although it is worth noting that he should not be unduly aggressive for no reason. Most of the time, his confidence is all that is needed to warn away a potential threat but he won’t hesitate to do what needs to be done if he feels his owner is in danger.

The key physical traits of the Spanish Bulldog include a brachycephalic, square head with a wide and strong skull. The muzzle is short and has no wrinkles, covering a very well developed jawbone. The teeth should be big and separated from each other, and fit into an inverted scissors bite. The ears are traditionally cropped, and are set far apart from each other on the head. The neck is short and wide, and the skin underneath forms a slight double dewlap. The topline is straight and may slightly incline toward the rear. The tail is long and thick at the root, tapering as it reaches the end. The gait of the breed is unusual and should resemble that of a large feline with a low-carried head. Colors include brindle, fawn, or black/brindle, with or without small white markings and/or a black mask.

The Villano de las Encartaciones hails from Spain and was originally bred to catch semi-wild Monchina cattle so that the farmers could bring them to market. Extremely brave, he has also been used to hunt boar, herd sheep, and guard the property – a truly versatile dog! Originally this breed would hunt together with the Spanish Alano – a larger, more powerful breed. At a certain point, breeders began combing the two to select for a more lightweight breed which could both easily follow and catch prey in rocky mountainous regions – and the modern Villano was born! Although this is an old breed it wasn’t until 1997 that the parent club was formed – the Club Nacional del Villano de Las Encartaciones. In 2005, the breed was recognized by the National Government of Spain. It is not yet recognized by the FCI or even the Spanish Kennel Club and is unfortunately very rare and currently endangered.

Known for his calm and non-aggressive nature around his owners, as well as his ability to hunt with other dogs, the Villano is a level-headed and stable breed. At least until he gets around livestock – at which point his instincts and fierceness will kick in! His intense prey drive and protective instincts make him unsuitable for most situations of family life except with those who are very experienced with similar breeds. It is important to note that like some other molossers, he can be suspicious of strangers and does require extensive socialization around people so that he won’t act poorly when he gets older. But with those he knows he is gentle, loyal and cheerful.

The Villano de las Encartaciones is said to be easy to train for experienced owners, however he can be strong-willed so an owner/trainer must have patience while teaching. He does need a job to do in order to be happy so a minimum of basic obedience is completely necessary! Once taught, he tends to be a very obedient dog. After his “formal” education, one can move into more fun disciplines like trick training although he can also be taught the more serious task of guard dog training through bite work sports.

The Villano is a medium sized, yet long-bodied dog with a gigantic head and a muscular build. The breed has a deep chest, a compact structure, and fairly long legs for a molosser-type breed. The tail is long and thin with a sickle shape. The ears are set high and rather far back on the head, and occasionally are seen cropped. The coat – which is smooth, hard and very thick, is often brindle although can also be black, gray or fawn in color. The coat requires only minimal grooming – a good brushing once a week or so will help to keep it shiny and healthy.

The Villano de las Encartaciones has a high energy level and needs regular intense exercise on a daily basis. Remember that he was bred to hike and run in the mountains all day so very long walks or jogging sessions are essential every single day! This also means that he needs to live on a property with a large enough yard for him to run around in when he isn’t being given structured exercise, otherwise he may get bored and become destructive or even develop more serious behavior problems. This is an agile and powerful dog that needs an owner that can handle both the energy and athleticism that the breed possesses – as well as his high prey drive and protective traits.

Photo by Javierme Javier Mediavilla Ezquibela

The Dogue Brasileiro, also known as the Brazilian Bull Boxer, was created in Brazil by a man named Pedro Dantas. Pedro was a longtime breeder of the Bull Terrier but felt they were becoming “too decorative” and were losing their working abilities. In the late 1970’s a neighbor requested that he breed one of his dogs to their Boxer, and he was so enamored with the results that he began his own breeding program. Mixing the Bull Terrier with the Boxer (hence the name) he began to create a loyal guard dog with the qualities he was looking for. In 1986 he formed a parent club for the breed. Not interested in seeking FCI recognition, Pedro felt that this would only dilute the working qualities of the Dogue Brasileiro, however this molosser breed is recognized locally by the Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia. They are still quite rare in most of the world.

Dogue Brasileiro are highly trainable and obedient, especially in bite sports and similar guard dog duties. This said they are also gentle, very affectionate, and tolerant towards their owners – showing no aggression or resource guarding when raised correctly. It has always been important that they be balanced temperamentally as this was a primary consideration in the development of the breed. It has been instrumental that excel in two areas – being loyal and affectionate family companions while also being fearless, alert guards. If danger were to appear, they should not hesitate to attack. Today, there are a number of temperament tests made strictly for the breed that all grade various aspects of temperament and drive – the purpose of which is to continue to breed dogs that fit into a particular set of working abilities and disposition. Without passing these tests, a dog cannot become a champion in Brazil.

Dogue Brasileiro are active dogs and far more athletic than their Bull Terrier ancestors. They are also stronger and more agile, have less health problems, and generally have better lifespans (living about 13-14 years on average). They need regular exercise to keep them physically in shape, however exercising with their owners also helps them emotionally as well since they are extremely social animals! They aren’t necessarily playful but do enjoy spending quality time with those whom they love. As they have a lot of energy to expend, a short walk will not be enough. Prospective owners should prepare to spend many hours taking long hikes with their loyal companions. A great activity to provide quality time between owner and dog!

The Dogue Brasileiro is a muscular, medium sized dog with a short smooth coat although some individuals have slightly longer (medium-length) hair. Grooming needs are very minimal and this breed hardly sheds at all, although it should be noted that they are not hypoallergenic. Any color, variation or combination of colors is acceptable in the coat. Traditionally the ears are cropped short. The muzzle should not have heavily drooping dewlaps, which means they aren’t prone to drooling.

The Dogue Brasileiro is normally a quiet house companion and only barks when there’s a reason to – such as when someone comes to the door. Like most guard dogs, he is territorial and will bark to let a stranger know that they’ve encroached upon his property! Strangers will be treated with suspicion at first, but as long as the person is deemed “ok” they will likely be accepted with friendliness. When it comes to other animals, this breed is likely to get along with other dogs if socialized to them. Pedro noted that his breed wasn’t as combative with canine housemates as compared to his Bull Terriers. However other pets such as cats might not be safe. Children are usually well-regarded by this breed however, and although supervision is always recommended the breed generally does very well even with the very young.

Dogue Brasileiro aren’t the best fit for small apartments due to their high energy levels. Though they can adapt to many situations, they require so much exercise it can be difficult to provide this in an apartment-type setting. It is recommended that owners have a yard with a secure fence in place, as they can be prone to wandering. Also, they do best with owners who aren’t gone for long stretches of time on a regular basis. Being so highly social, they can easily develop separation anxiety otherwise. Finally this breed is generally not recommended for first-time dog owners, mainly because of their higher-than-average guarding instincts. Just because they are wonderful companions does not make them automatically easy for the novice person.

The Chinese Red Dog, or Laizhou Hong as it is known in China, is a rare breed that is recognized by the Chinese Kennel Union but is virtually unknown outside of the country. Although there is a breed club based in the UK, numbers of the breed outside the home country is relatively low which means a prospective owner in the United States should prepare to have a dog imported. This is a shame, as the breed makes a wonderful pet and adept guard dog in the right household. This working breed was developed in the late 1800’s by mixing local Chinese breeds such as the Shaanxi Xigou with the Great Dane, Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog, and possibly Doberman Pinscher.

Red Dogs are suspicious of strangers and definitely need to be socialized extensively when young! These are natural guard dogs which form strong, protective bonds with their owners and will not hesitate to defend those they love if they deem it necessary. When no threat is visible, they are calm and easygoing – particularly with those they know and love. They are not high energy and they can be incorporated into homes with children when raised properly. Young toddlers may be easily bowled over so slightly older kids are recommended. The breed also gets along well with other dogs, especially if they were raised with them from puppyhood.

Red Dogs are highly trainable as they are extremely intelligent. They want to please their people and tend to learn quickly, although do require an owner that can be firm yet fair. Consistency is key to make sure they are understanding and retaining the commands. This is a breed that needs a job to do, and should not be owned by anyone that isn’t willing to give them a life filled with training and purpose such as competition obedience, scent detection or protection sports. If they aren’t given enough to do they can develop destructive behaviors. They are confident and ready to do just about any task, so an owner should be prepared to give them the opportunity to shine!

The coat of the Red Dog is easy to maintain, and sheds only an average amount. A weekly brushing will keep the coat under control. As with other dogs, grooming should also include regular nail trims, ear cleaning and dental care. Most of the care for the Red Dog will not focus on grooming but instead should be concentrated on training and making sure the dog is mentally fulfilled. The strong territorial instincts and guarding aptitudes need to be controlled through training and a focused job.

Red Dogs are very adaptable to many different living situations and can even live in a city apartment with enough exercise. This said, a home with a yard is probably better suited to this athletic breed. Although they don’t require extensive amount of exercise they do have a lot of endurance and stamina, which means a short walk around the block won’t be enough to give them a thorough workout. With proper care, this dog’s lifespan averages 14-15 years which is longer than many other similarly-sized breeds.

The Chinese Red Dog is known for his breathtaking beauty. Named partially for his color – this breed is black with clearly defined markings of a rich, red tan on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest and legs, as well as over both eyes and under the base of the tail. The coat is smooth, coarse in texture, and very glossy. His naturally prick ears stand high and wide apart on the top of the skull, which is fairly flat. His eyes can be anywhere from light amber to dark brown, and should show an intelligent and eager expression. His body is that of an athletic molosser with a moderate build and giant height – tall males can reach up to 31 inches at the withers. The body is longer than it is tall and can be well over 100 pounds.

Photo By Canarian

The Chuandong Hound is a faithful, attentive and noble breed with a regal appearance. Stemming directly from the ancient Chinese Chongqing Dog, he is one result of the split of that breed into two separate breeds – this one being the “hunting type” from the mountainous regions, while the other (Chongqing Dog) is the “city type” which is more of a guarding molosser. While similar in appearance, the Chuandong has a longer muzzle and a different head shape altogether, and is leaner and a little bigger (although not too big, this is still a small to medium breed). The Chongqing has an underbite while the Chuandong has a scissor bite. The eyes are almond shaped rather than oval. The topline is level, unlike the Chongqing’s rise above the croup. Finally, unlike the Chongqing which is allowed to appear in either red or black, the Chuandong can only come in red. The breed is recognized by the China Kennel Union but is very rare.

While the Chuandong is considered a scenthound first and foremost, some have used him for the secondary purpose of guard work. With a brave demeanor and a gifted mind wrapped in a powerful body, he is capable of playing the role of guard dog without any additional training, although is a poor choice for bite work sports or police work. He will raise the alarm to strangers and people at the door, and may or may not choose to pursue further measures depending upon how likely he sees the person as a threat. He has a dominant nature and does require an owner who is knowledgeable and experienced. For those that can handle him, he is very intelligent and willing to learn obedience.

Chuandongs have been said to be cat-like in demeanor, which probably comes from their primitive heritage. They like to be clean and lick themselves like cats to keep themselves spotless. They move effortlessly through the house and aren’t prone to knocking things over or being boundlessly clumsy. They can move their ears independently to listen to sounds. They are also very quick to housebreak. That said, they do like to play and enjoy being around their owners just like other dogs. Although more work than a cat (particularly in the training department), this breed is fairly easy care overall. Chuandong Hounds barely shed at all as they have an ultra short, single coat. This means that for most people, they are hypoallergenic.

The Chuandong Hound isn’t terribly social around other dogs, especially those whom he’s never met before. He may be prone to fighting and should be given lots of early socialization if he is to live with other dogs. He loves children and is very good with them, although shouldn’t be teased. When it comes to human strangers, he is aloof and may be prone to barking. With his own family he is loyal and affectionate, and while he can be independent he does form deep attachments. An ideal household for this breed is one that is fairly calm and not prone to throwing huge parties or being otherwise chaotic.

Chuandongs are able to live in apartments as long as they are exercised regularly, although this isn’t ideal. They do best when in a home with a yard for them to stretch their legs, and when provided with this can manage just fine with a 30 minute walk, hike or jog each day. Make sure to keep this active hound on a leash when exercising as they are prone to running off in search of interesting smells!

Chuandong Hounds are known for their long lifespans when kept as companions – living to 18-20 is considered normal! Those who have been traditionally been used for hunting often have shorter lifespans as their tenacious natures and high prey drives have gotten them into trouble… they have no fear and have been known to fall off cliffs in pursuit of animals such as cows! Lethal hunting accidents were not uncommon, nor were casualties of dog fights. Two Chuandongs in a fight have been known to inflict serious injuries upon eachother, as their determined nature means that neither wants to let go or give up the fight. All of that said… provided that they are well-cared for and kept out of harm’s way, they are likely to live a long time and gift their owners with countless years of enjoyment.

Photo By Markus Monroe

The Moscow Watchdog originated in Russia as a powerful guard dog. Similar in appearance to a Saint Bernard, but with a temperament more akin to that of a Caucasian Shepherd – those two breeds are in fact most of the makeup of this breed (in addition to the Russian Harlequin Hound). The breed was created to fill the demand for a protective guarding dog in a country facing rising crime after World War 2. The dog needed to be able to adapt to the very harsh temperatures of Russia, and would also need to be adaptable to working in a variety of urban environments. Originally produced by the military, the first standard was written in 1958. The breed was later recognized by the Russian Kennel Club in 1997. Currently the breed is not recognized by the FCI, nor by the AKC in the United States, and is fairly unknown in most places of the world outside of Russia.

Intelligent and obedient, the Moscow is gentle with his family but can quickly turn into a formidable opponent towards “the bad guys”. When correctly raised and socialized he should have a balanced temperament that is confident and self-assured, aloof towards strangers, and should never be randomly aggressive. This said – emphasis should be placed on “correctly raised and socialized”. He needs a good start in life that entails plenty of enrichment, well-rounded socialization and regular training sessions in order to develop this correct temperament! As with many guarding breeds, he needs an owner that understands the importance of establishing/maintaining household rules and order. His protective instincts are a special feature of the breed, but can become a liability if he is raised without any structure!

Developed to be highly trainable, the Watchdog can do very well in obedience when taught by an experienced person. He is strong-willed so a novice dog owner may not find him quick to perform commands, but a knowledgeable trainer will likely be able to “train him up” just fine. He needs a firm (yet not abusive) hand from a trainer that is fair and respectful of the dog, while also requiring respect in return. Because of the sheer size of this breed, training is not an optional task but an absolute necessity!

Watchdogs need regular exercise because, despite their lumbering size, they were bred to work! This said, they don’t require countless hours of jogging but rather do best when given a long daily walk (or the equivalent). This dog is more of the “slow and steady” type as compared to very active, energetic breeds. They just require a different type of activity! Exercise helps not only the body, but the brain, so a regular routine will serve the added purpose of keeping their minds stimulated and make them less likely to act out or have behavioral problems.

It is worth noting that the Moscow Watchdog is not known for being overly demonstrative with his affection. This is not to say that he doesn’t enjoy the company of his owner, just that he shows his affection in a quiet, calm manner. As long as an owner doesn’t take his aloof nature personally, they might even find this calm nature to be peaceful. Indeed, he can be an excellent house companion when his needs are met (assuming the house is big enough – he does need room to stretch out)!

In terms of appearance, the Moscow is a giant breed. The average height of males is 30-31″, and there is no upper size limit which means they can get even taller! The low end of the weight spectrum (for a male) is 120 pounds, and they are frequently heavier. The coat is medium-long and dense, with a thick undercoat. The color is white with spots of red, red-black, black-red, or sable. White must be present on the chest, forearms, hocks and tip of tail. A dog with black mask, monocles, and ears is highly regarded according to the standard. The tail is long, wide, and hangs with a slight curve at the end.

Photo By Edmontcz

The Calupoh is a wolf-hybrid-turned-actual-breed that was created, and recognized, in Mexico. Recognized by the Federación Canófila Mexicana in 1999, it was developed in order to recreate Mexican wolfdogs as depicted in various cultural artwork and stories. The breed has only been around since the 1990’s but has won the hearts of many! With a dignified nature and striking, wolf-like appearance, he can be a great companion for those who fit his unique lifestyle. The Calupoh is agile and athletic and does require daily exercise. And yes – he does howl!

The Calupoh is a large and leggy breed with a medium length double coat. This coat is rough textured on the outside while the undercoat is soft and plush, and a short mane on the neck is a distinctive feature. In terms of color, black or smoky black are the preferred colors although some dogs will be born silver, white or sable. These colors are accepted but not preferred. The ears are always erect and should be placed at an angle between 85 and 95 degrees, with the middle line of the eyes as the axis. This is part of the reason why the breed looks extra wolf-like. To add to the wolfy appearance, the eyes are very often a light yellow color (although dark eyes can appear).

Properly-raised Calupohs have even temperaments around their owners although many are very suspicious or even skittish around new situations. They can take a very long time to warm up to strangers and will often be extremely aloof (like a wolf). Their initial tendency when they are afraid is to back away or even run away. This means lots of early socialization is critical – and should be done on-leash (so they can’t dash too far) and with plenty of patience and understanding! Most are good with other dogs/pets and kids that they know as long as they were raised with them, although they may not be friendly with strange dogs. Take note this is not a guard dog and an owner will likely fail miserably trying to train one to fulfill this role.

During puppyhood and adolescence, the Calupoh can be destructive and may be prone to chewing up human belongings. Being fairly mouthy, he may also try to gnaw on on people as well! This is normal behavior however should be dealt with early in development so it doesn’t become a bigger problem as the dog matures. It is not a sign of aggression but rather just the breed’s mouthy tendencies.

The original kennel wherein all Calupohs stem from is called Criadero Caliente. All descendants therefore will go back to dogs from this kennel/breeder. Why is this important? It means that not every wolf-looking dog is a Calupoh, and a smart buyer should be sure to verify the pedigree before purchasing a puppy. Like similar breeds with recent wolf inclusion (such as the Czechoslovakian Vlcak and the Saarlooswolfdog), this is not the same thing as a random wolf-hybrid! Thousands of dogs went into the development of this breed so that it could be “come to be”, and the breed was put together with a lot of work, forethought and care. The same can’t necessarily be said for hybrids, which can be unpredictable in temperament and other traits.

The Calupoh needs ongoing training in order to be the best he can be. When training lessons are consistent, encouraging and fair the breed enjoys learning! Keep in mind that while this breed often loves to spend time with his owner, he is naturally independent-minded. This means that he is neither overly affectionate, nor is he a dog that lives to work. He wasn’t created in order to work with people so while he can (and should) be taught obedience, he might not be a star pupil. Some humans get dogs expecting them to provide endless affection and to have great desires to learn commands. That is not the typical temperament of this breed. The characteristic relationship between an owner and a Calupoh is one based on mutual respect and silent loyalty rather than one of exaggerated friendliness and perfect obedience scores. This is an important consideration for a prospective owner!

Calupohs require time and patience to raise, and despite being independent they do need plenty of owner interaction and care. A dog of this breed just left in the backyard all day will not bond with his owner, and may even become nervous around him/her! For this reason it is important that an owner spend a lot of time at home during not only puppyhood but the dog’s entire life. This is NOT a dog that thrives with owners that work all day. In addition, they require a home with plenty of room for them to move around and a securely fenced yard as they are escape artists. They aren’t generally difficult dogs to live with (after they get over the destructive phase) as they aren’t clingy, hyperactive, overwhelmingly needy (or even dirty) but they do need a specific type of owner/home.

Photo By Jenniffer1987

The Campeiro Bulldog hails from southern Brazil and originated from bulldogs brought by European settlers in the 19th century. While not everyone agrees on the exact origin, it is clear that molosser types (bulldog and mastiff types) served as the “ingredients” in the creation of this breed. In terms of purpose, Campeiros were used to catch and hold livestock such as cattle. This catch dog role was traditionally carried out in slaughterhouses – a role that was useful although eventually became banned in their home country. Partially because of the ban, this bulldog became more rare and even faced extinction before thankfully being saved by fanciers in the 1970’s. Numbers eventually recovered enough that they were recognized by the Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia (Brazilian Kennel Club) in 2001. They are not recognized by the AKC nor the FCI.

Some Campeiros do just fine when living with other dogs while others are not particularly friendly, even towards housemates. While early experiences, training and socialization can all factor into dog-friendliness, genetics will also play a large part. This said, around their owners almost all are intensely loyal and very calm. The breed is touted as being incredibly faithful, devoted and loving.

Campeiro Bulldogs are intelligent and can be obedient when trained. As they have natural guarding instincts and additionally can be prone to resource guarding, it is necessary to instill basic obedience training while they are young so they can be controlled once they mature into powerful dogs. Early socialization is also important. It’s natural for them to be initially suspicious of strangers but they shouldn’t be afraid or overly aggressive – and socialization is one of the puzzle pieces for a well-tempered adult dog. When properly trained and socialized they have the potential to be very versatile animals who can accomplish all number of tasks. These powerful dogs still have the tenacious instincts of a catch dog and can work with cattle if desired.

According to the standard, the Campeiro should give an imposing appearance to the observer, being overall robust and very broad. The dog should look just as strong as he actually is! He is medium-sized in height but his broad muscular build puts him in the heavyweight category in terms of weight, with males able to reach close to 100 pounds! The head, like the rest of the body, is large and broad with a short, square muzzle. The ears are set high and far apart, and hang to the sides of the head. The coat is short and smooth, being neither soft nor harsh to the touch. All colors are allowed except for merle.

The Campeiro Bulldog is a quiet dog that doesn’t bark if he doesn’t have reason to. This, combined with his calm nature, makes him a pleasant house companion. That said he is an active dog and definitely needs daily exercise! Playing with the kids in the yard is one way to “blow off some steam” (most members of the breed love children), but he also benefits greatly from structured walks or jogging excursions.

The Campeiro is adaptable to many different living situations and can also live in any climate (when common sense is taken, of course). The average lifespan is 11-12 years and most members remain healthy throughout their lives when cared for properly. Hip dysplasia can occur, so prospective owners will want to make sure they get their dog through a responsible breeder who health tests. Still incredibly rare in this country, a prospective owner will likely have to import a dog from Brazil.

The Chongqing Dog is said to be one of the oldest breeds in the world – its history can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago! This Chinese breed was originally bred as a hunting dog but as urbanization grew, it gradually lost its purpose and numbers began to fall. The breed was revived in the 70’s and took on more of a utilitarian purpose – being used for a number of varied jobs including protecting crops from wild pigs and as a guard dog. Today, he is primarily used as a protection dog, and he excels at this task thanks to his fearless and courageous nature. This primitive molosser is one of the rarest breeds of dog today and while it is recognized by the China Kennel Union, is still yet unrecognized by FCI or any clubs in America. To make matters somewhat confusing, the original breed – Chinese Chongqing Dog, was split into two breeds just recently in 2018: into the Chongqing Dog and the Chuandong Hound.

The Chongqing is outgoing with people he knows, aloof with those he doesn’t, but fierce with small animals thanks to a strong prey drive. Despite his small size he has a huge personality and possesses confidence in spades! As stated above, his specialty is guarding and not only will he alert to the presence of danger but he will back up his threat if he feels it necessary to do so. However, this loyal and dignified guard is gentle with his family and gets along well those whom he loves, including children. The guarding talents of this Chinese breed are natural and require little training, although it should be noted that they aren’t recommended for competition bite work.

Chongqings enjoy all manner of activity and exploring new places with their noses (they are talented with scent detection skills). They are always on alert, whether it be looking out for possible danger or an animal to chase! Being both tough and agile they don’t mind “getting dirty” if the situation calls for it, and in fact many relish the opportunity! While they aren’t known for being aggressive with other dogs for no reason, they aren’t terribly social either and aren’t a good choice for the dog park.

In terms of color, the Congqing Dog comes in either black or red (of dark or light shades) with a dark black mask on the head. Like several other Chinese breeds, the tongue is blue or has blue spots. The coat itself is extremely short and very harsh in texture. His square head has natural wrinkles on the brow beneath naturally erect ears, and features a powerful muzzle with prominent cheeks and a well-defined stop. He is squarely built and extremely muscular with an unusually-shaped tail which is set high and carried stiffly. Although he is small in stature his weight upgrades him into the medium-size category.

The Chongqing is intelligent but powerful, which means that obedience training is important to establish control. Naturally independent, he requires an owner who is stable-tempered (cool and collected) that can be consistent with lessons. Furthermore he needs training that is firm, yet fair and should only be owned by the experienced dog person. Once trained, he will take his job seriously.

The average lifespan for the Chongqing is 12-13 years and they remain playful for many of their years. They only require a brushing and nail trim about once a week and the occasional bath, making them fairly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. Like all dogs, they do need regular dental care. The majority of their care will be in the form of early and frequent socialization, consistent obedience training, and routine exercise.

Chongqing Dogs can live in apartments if they are sufficiently exercised but only IF they are sufficiently exercised! They do need regular, daily excursions to work out their impressive muscles so unless an owner is able to provide this, they would be better suited to a home with a small yard. A long daily walk is the bare minimum for these stocky little guys and they’d be even more thrilled to accompany their owner on a hiking expedition! Just make sure any hikes are carried out on-leash, as their prey drive necessitates that they be kept safely clipped to a lead at all times. In addition (when it comes to owner compatibility), the breed is most suited to calm households as they don’t do well with an excess of household chaos.

By Markus Monroe

The Czech Mountain Dog (AKA Bohemian Mountain Dog) is the youngest Czech breed – formed in the late 1970’s. Originating from a combination of the Slovak Cuvac and various Canadian mixed-breed working dogs, primarily those of sled-dog origins, they were eventually recognized by the Czech Kennel Club in 1984. While originally used as a mushing dog, today this Czech breed is used primarily as an avalanche rescue dog and loyal companion. They are well-suited to mountainous regions and are capable of being used for a number of hardy jobs, however are equally adept at numerous dog sports as well! This has given them a small but devoted following in their home country, despite the fact that they are basically unknown elsewhere. It is thought that there are only about 200 registered at the time of this blog’s publishing date.

The Czech Mountain should never be aggressive when raised correctly, and in fact tends towards being submissive in general. However if a real threat exposes itself he is fully ready and capable of defending the family! He gets along with all sizes of animals including other dogs, and is well-behaved and playful around children. It may take him a minute to warm up to strangers but will quickly make friends once he sees there is no reason to worry. In general he is devoted, friendly and easy to be around, with a sparkling personality and calm affectionate nature. He was created to be an easy-to-manage and undemanding dog.

Czech Mountain Dogs are generally easy to train for those who can be firm yet fair, and the breed tends to do well in competitions. They can naturally herd livestock, guard the homestead, work as therapy animals, and can be easily taught skills for search and rescue. This is a breed that needs a job in order to be happy so obedience is recommended as a baseline followed by other more-specific tasks. Agility, canicross, skijouring, bikejouring, canine freestyle, carting and sledding are all activities in which this breed excels! This intelligent breed is also known for solving problems on their own, making them wonderful partners in all manner of tasks. Because they form very strong bonds with their owners, they can become sensitive to their owner’s moods which can either help or hinder them in performance.

The Czech Mountain is lively and active so he does require daily exercise and a home with a large yard. He would be a great hiking companion as he enjoys being in the outdoors and thrives on exercise that is based on endurance. Cross-country skiers take note – this dog will gladly run with you! Barring that, a long daily walk and/or a several-mile jog is a necessity – and this will hold true even in the worst of weather! In his home country it is common for him to live outside since he is so hardy and built for harsh environments – so while he can live inside, his owner must provide plenty of “nature time” throughout the day. He’s also built for the cold and will likely be unhappy in a house with the heater blasting.

Czech Mountain Dogs are always parti-colored (white in combination with any other color) and the head must never be solid white. The coat is straight and medium-long in length, slightly longer on the back of the thighs and tail. This is a large breed with a body structure that should suggest strength. The hanging ears are set high and wide apart, and the eyes are oval shaped and dark in color, with dark pigmented eyelids. There is a slight variation in appearance between many members of this breed, likely due to to its versatile working background, but the breed’s standard seeks to regulate that appearance. Ideally this will be done while not losing any of the wonderful working abilities or even-temperament of the breed.

Photo By DeinaAjax