Major Mastiff, or Ca-de-bo dog: description photo, breed characteristics, owner reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

You must have heard of the Ca-de-bo dogs. The combination of a charming smile and a mountain of muscles creates a unique impression. Such dogs can be safely called heroes on four legs. Once upon a time, dogs took part in bullfighting. They are good guards, bodyguards and even companions. Major Mastiffs (another name for the breed) can be loyal friends, so the breed is deservedly popular. Let's talk in more detail about the dogs of this breed.

Origin story

Experts say that the history of the breed has more than two centuries. M alta is the birthplace of ca-de-bo. With the development of shipping in the Mediterranean, the exchange of cultural and other values between East and West began. Thanks to commercial relations, the exchange of animals began, including guard and hunting dogs. In those distant times, preference was given to strong and strong dogs with powerful teeth. Mastiffs were considered the best representatives. As soon as Mallorca came under the rule of the United Kingdom,English breeds of dogs began to appear on the island. They eventually crossed with local dogs. It is believed that the ca-de-bo descended from the bulldogs and Alano, who then inhabited the peninsula. Major mastiffs began to be actively used as watchmen, guards and fighting dogs. But the most popular were the animals for use during bullfighting.

Mentions of the breed were found in the stud book of Spain from 1923. But official records of the ca de bou appeared only after the Barcelona exhibition of 1928-1929. In the twentieth century, the breed experienced not the best of times. There were very few Major Mastiffs left. Therefore, soon had to deal with the revival of the breed. English bulldogs were used for this. The breed was officially recognized in 1964. Modern ca-de-bos are not fighting dogs. Their purpose is to serve people faithfully.

Description of the breed

ca de bou are dogs that all people like at first sight. Dogs amaze with their charm. The animal has an impressive size, well-developed muscles, but at the same time they have a charming smile. At every opportunity, the dogs demonstrate their openness and friendliness. But this is not what made the representatives of the breed so popular. Experts note that animals combine excellent watchdog characteristics, the ability to adequately assess the situation, and balance. Ca-de-bo dogs know how to behave correctly depending on the situation. They unmistakably determine who is friend and who is foe.

The breed is known by several names: Major Mastiff, Perro Dogo Mallorquin, Ca de Bou. The homeland of dogs is Mallorca. The name of the breed in translation means "bull dog", which is consistent with the appearance of animals. Dogs are self-confident. There is no need to talk about courage. No wonder they took part in the Spanish bullfight. Ca-de-bo dogs provided protection for bullfighters. Therefore, they had to be ready to defend the owner at any moment. An iron grip helped the dogs to cope with the bull.

Representatives of the breed ca-de-bo perfectly cope with the role of guards and bodyguards. Dogs have excellent reactions. But at the same time, dogs can be wonderful pets. But at the same time, nothing bad can be expected from dogs. They will never harm the household. Dogs are always friendly with all family members. They behave well not only with the owner, but also with the rest of the family, even if there are many of them. Dogs are good with children.

Character Traits

What is the nature of the Ca-de-bo? The characterization of the breed will be incomplete if you do not remember the sweet disposition of the dogs. They are very smart. Among all family members, dogs accurately determine the main one. Animals are very devoted to the owner, but at the same time they treat all family members with the same tenderness and care. Dogs are very patient with guests in the house, family friends. If there is currently no owner in the apartment, then a devoted friend will not let strangers into the house.

Major Mastiffs do not usually behaveaggressively, unless, of course, there is no reason for it. You can raise a devoted friend if you start raising a puppy from an early age. Walking animals is an important element of education. Without daily walks, it is impossible to raise a good dog. If you decide to purchase a representative of the Ca de Bou breed, be prepared for the fact that you will have to regularly arrange trips out of town. After all, the animal needs outdoor games. Communicating with dogs is very simple and easy, they are incredibly smart, quick-witted and do not create difficulties in the training process. The beautiful nature of the ca de bou is the main reason these beauties are so loved by breeders.

Breed Standard

Major Mastiffs have a strong build. Their massive figure is complemented by a large head with a wide muzzle. Due to the developed muscles and overall mass, the dogs seem very large. Although in reality they are not. In terms of size, representatives of the breed should be classified as medium-sized dogs. Male individuals reach a height of 55-58 centimeters. Females differ slightly in height - their height is 52-55 cm.

Representatives of different sexes have some differences. But in general, the animals are very similar. Speaking about the description of the ca-de-bo, it is necessary to remember that dogs can have several types of color: deer (beige or red), motley (brindle), black.

Choosing a puppy

How to choose the right representative of the Ca-de-Bou? Major mastiffs are dogs that are not suitable for any owner. Animals have excellent characteristics, but it takes a hundred timesthink before you get such a pet. You need to evaluate your strengths and abilities, because you will have to regularly care for the animal. Every day you have to spend a lot of time on care and walks. With a large pet, you need to be able to build the right relationship. The fine character of the ca-de-bo usually does not cause trouble for the owners. But still, at certain points, you will have to show firmness.

You need to buy a puppy in a specialized nursery. But taking dogs in the bird market is not worth it. There is a very high chance that you will be scammed. In a decent nursery, you will be offered to meet the mother of the future pet. It is also necessary to evaluate the conditions of the puppy.

Before you start choosing an animal, go to specialized exhibitions. There you can appreciate all the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. A lot of interesting information can be obtained from specialized catalogs.

Recommendations for choosing a friend

If you are planning to get a Major Mastiff (the photo is given in the article), you must first decide for what purposes you will use it. It's one thing if you want to see a friend, a pet dog and a pet of the whole family in an animal. It is quite another matter if the dog should become a good guard. Pay attention to the nature of the pet. He must be balanced. The he alth of the puppy is also an important factor.

The most difficult thing is to choose an animal to participate in exhibitions. In this case, you will need the advice of an experienced expert. He is the one who will help youchoose from small lumps a worthy pet. If you want to get a future champion, you can't do without the help of a good expert. Only he will help you choose a worthy Major Mastiff.

How to find a congenial pet without mistakes? Experienced breeders give advice to help you make your choice:

1. If the puppy is already 30-40 days old, you can look into the mouth, where all the milk teeth should already be.
2. The puppies should have a bump on their heads. It is not only a feature of this breed, but also a source of information. By the bump, you can determine the growth of an adult dog. If the animal promises to be large, then the bump should have impressive dimensions.
3. You also need to pay attention to the correct bite.
4. No less important is the coat. It must be clean, without any marks. If the coat lies flat, then the puppy is absolutely he althy.
5. It is very important to evaluate the tail. There should be no creases on it.
6. The color of the pet meets the standard if the white color is no more than 30% of the entire body surface.

Dogs care

The breed is short-haired, so pets are easy to care for. It must be remembered that you will have to brush the coat daily with a rubber brush. This will help keep your dog he althy and well-groomed. According to reviews, Major Mastiffs do not need frequent water procedures. Frequent bathing can negatively affect the fat balance of the skin. If you understand that you cannot do without a water procedure, then you need touse professional products for rough-haired dogs.

The claws of the animal will also require care. They need to be trimmed regularly. You should also take care of your eyes and ears. They need to be inspected regularly. Ears are cleaned with cotton swabs once every two weeks. If you notice any discharge or an unpleasant odor, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. Eye care is carried out using cotton swabs dipped in a special solution.

Owners should carefully monitor the condition of their pets' teeth. If there are signs of tartar, do not avoid going to the veterinarian. You can prevent the appearance of a problem by introducing cartilage, chewing bones, toys for cleaning teeth into the diet. The mouth of an animal requires the most attention at an early age, because you need to make sure that the bite is formed correctly.

Education

Representatives of the breed have a very developed intellect. But at the same time, dogs are distinguished by natural intelligence. Animals do not create problems in the learning process of training. If you want to quickly see the fruits of your labors, you need to start classes already in the first days of the appearance of a puppy in the house. At first, the dogs are taught the simplest commands: “place”, “sit”, “come to me”.

Adult dogs do not cause trouble to their owners if you notice changes in their behavior in time and react to them correctly. Puppies should not be allowed to do anything you don't want to do.see in an adult pet. If you notice that the baby is trying to take a leadership position, you must immediately stop such antics. Sometimes things happen that you can't solve on your own. In this case, you need to seek help from a professional trainer. A properly educated dog will give you a lot of pleasant moments in communication. This pet will never disappoint you. And for children, he will become the best friend.

Diet

The key to the he alth of any dog is its proper nutrition. What type of feeding to choose for your pet, each owner decides individually. You can use dry food or prefer natural food. Both options are equally good, it all depends on your capabilities. First of all, you need to focus on the taste of the pet. The food should please the dog. But this does not mean that you need to give the dog everything he wants, or food from your table. Food should be prepared according to all the rules, separately for the pet. If you can't cook, opt for dry food.

Diseases

Specialists note that representatives of the breed are distinguished by excellent he alth and immunity. In order for the dog to remain in good shape, it is necessary to pay close attention to physical activity and proper nutrition. Prevention is very important. Dogs need vaccinations and regular deworming. The breed is predisposed to certain ailments: hepatopathy, myositis, hip dysplasia. If the animal has reduced immunity, then the degree of development of demodicosis is high. In adulthood, dogs candevelop oncology. On average, animals live 12-13 years.

Nurseries

Ca-de-bo appeared in the vastness of our country in 1992. But representatives of the breed managed to break into the leaders recently. In 1997, the National Ca-de-Bou Breed Club was founded. In our country, there are already official kennels that breed dogs. Most of them are concentrated in Moscow.

Price of puppies

If you decide to get a Major Mastiff, then you will probably be interested in the question of how much a puppy costs. For a pet with documents, you will have to pay 25-35 thousand rubles. But this is the minimum cost of the animal. Puppies from elite parents on average cost from 50 thousand rubles. But babies from unscheduled matings and mestizos are much cheaper - 10-15 thousand rubles.

Reviews of Ca-de-bou

Characteristics of the breed is what influences the selection of breeders. No less important are the reviews of people who already have dogs. What do experienced breeders say about representatives of the breed? People note that dogs are distinguished by kindness and gentle character. They are very good with children. If the child starts to cry, then the dog is the first to react and runs to help the baby. The short-haired breed is easy to care for. Dogs are not picky eaters, they are happy to eat porridge with meat.

Breeders note that they have never encountered signs of aggression in pets. It is for this reason that people choose Major Mastiffs to keep in the family. Indeed, in such pets, breeders first of all see friends and companions.

Many positive qualities of dogs cannot cross out just one drawback. Dogs need the firm hand of the owner, who will deal with them. But this is typical for representatives of all breeds. An animal cannot be reared on its own.

Instead of afterword

If you are not familiar with the ca de bou breed, you may be put off by the impressive size of its representatives. Meanwhile, these animals are distinguished by a peaceful and friendly character. Behind a formidable appearance, a good-natured creature usually hides. But at the same time, dogs can show the best guard qualities at any time. Representatives of the breed have the most excellent characteristics. And yet, acquiring a puppy, it is necessary to take his upbringing with all responsibility. Only proper care and regular exercise will help raise an affectionate and he althy friend.