When meeting a Ca de Bou for the first time, a person may instinctively feel fear of this animal. However, experienced dog owners know the advantages of these dogs: not only are they excellent guard dogs, but they also have a balanced character and respond appropriately to any situation.
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Description of the breed
Ca de Bou dogs amaze anyone who sees them for the first time. And for good reason: they possess impressive bulk, muscularity, and a charming, wide smile. Perhaps that's why they demonstrate their friendliness and opennessIn reality, however, this breed's popularity stems from entirely different factors: they possess the perfect combination of watchdog qualities, poise, and the ability to accurately assess their surroundings. Therefore, the Ca de Bou behaves according to the evolving situation and can easily discern who is friend, who is foe, and who is simply there by chance.
These animals are known by several names:
- Majorca Mastiff;
- perro de presso mallorquin;
- perro dogo mallorquin.
It's quite logical that the homeland of these animals is Mallorca. Their name perfectly suits them, as it literally means "bull dog." Ca de bo are quite confident dogs, and they demonstrate this with good reason. Those in the know know that these dogs once took part in the beloved Spanish pastime—bullfighting. These animals required provide protection for bullfighters, so they had to be ready to engage a bull at any moment. But how could this medium-sized dog gain the upper hand or prevent a large, powerful opponent from tearing a man to pieces? Thanks to its iron, death-grip.
Ca de Bou are excellent guard dogs and bodyguards thanks to their excellent reflexes, but they can also be made into family pets. Don't expect any unexpected behavior from this dog toward household members. These dogs are friendly and affectionate, quickly establishing friendly rapport with all family members, making them suitable even for families with children.
A distinctive feature of the Ca de Bo is that they do not single out the leader of the pack among the people living in the house, so that be loyal only to the ownerThey share their tenderness and care with everyone equally. Ca de Bou exhibit admirable patience with guests and family friends, but if their owner is away for a while, they won't allow anyone into the house, even if it's a familiar person.
These dogs generally don't behave aggressively unless there's a reason for it. You can raise a puppy to be an excellent guard dog and a wonderful companion if you start training it from puppyhood. Particular attention should be paid to walks, as without them, it's impossible to raise a healthy and strong animal. You'll also need to organize frequent outings and active games. However, you'll have a lot of fun playing with this giant. Communicating with them is very easy, as they are very intelligent, quick-witted, and easy to train.
Types, standards and varieties
In appearance, these dogs appear to be strong, massive animals of the molossoid type, with a slightly elongated body, large head and wide muzzleBut it's their overall mass and well-developed muscles that make them appear so large, although in reality they're not. In fact, they're considered medium-sized dogs. Males typically stand 55-58 cm at the withers, while females stand 52-55 cm.
Depending on the gender, dogs of this breed may show slight differences. However, overall, they are very similar, primarily in their coat, which is short and coarse. Within this breed, several color variations are commonly recognized:
- variegated (tiger);
- deer (red, beige);
- black.
Choosing a Ca de Bou puppy
Although dogs of this breed possess impressive characteristics, they are not for everyone. First and foremost, you must decide whether you are ready to take on the full responsibility of caring for these animals. You must determine whether you can provide the necessary living conditions, devote sufficient time to grooming and walks, and whether you can properly manage a relationship with such a large and strong-willed animal.
If you still remain true to your decision, then it is best for you to apply for the purchase of a purebred puppy. to a specialized nurseryBut a bird market is the worst place for this. If you can find a reputable breeder, they'll even offer to meet your puppy's mother and the animal's living conditions. You can also hope that the breeder will provide you with any assistance they can after the purchase.
Before choosing a Ca de Bou puppy from a breeder, we recommend attending several specialized shows. There, you'll have a wonderful opportunity to meet these dogs and obtain necessary information from breeders. Catalogs can also provide valuable information, helping you choose the most suitable bloodlines.
Recommendations for selection
One of the main questions you must answer is For what purposes are you buying a dog?If you want a Ca de Bou to be a family favorite and protect you and your home, then you should choose a puppy based on personal preference and a pragmatic approach. This means you need a puppy with a balanced personality and good health. A completely different selection criteria should guide your choice if you're planning to buy a dog for show.
Then you'll definitely need the help of an experienced expert to help you choose a future champion from these small, funny little bundles. However, you still need to be realistic and not overly confident that everything will turn out as you envision. Relying solely on your own knowledge will make it difficult to make the right choice. It's best to make this difficult decision with the help of an expert and follow your breeder's recommendations.
Choosing a Ca de Bou puppy is not easy, but if take the following tips into account, then you can choose the ideal candidate for the role of a pet or a future show winner.
- If the puppy is already 30-40 days old, look into its mouth - all the baby teeth should be there.
- A dog's head bump isn't just a breed characteristic; it's a source of useful information, as it can be used to determine an adult dog's height. If you're considering a fairly large animal, the bump should be large.
- Pay attention to the correctness of the bite: a deviation is considered when the overbite exceeds 1 cm.
- You should also evaluate the dog's coat - if it is clean, has no unusual marks, and lies flat, then the puppy is healthy.
- Don't forget to inspect your puppy's tail to make sure it has no kinks.
- Be sure to evaluate the color - the standard considers it normal for white color to cover no more than 30% of the total area.
Features of maintenance, care, health
All representatives of the breed are short-haired animals, so they will be quite easy to care for. The first thing you should understand is that the dog needs regular grooming. clean with a rubber brushThis will not only help maintain its well-groomed appearance but also its health. However, don't overdo it with bathing, as this can negatively impact the skin's natural oil balance. However, even if you absolutely must wash your dog, it's recommended to use professional products designed for wire-haired dogs.
You'll also need to take care of your dog's nails—they need to be trimmed regularly. Don't forget about their ears and eyes, which need to be inspected periodically. To keep their ears clean, remove any dirt with cotton swabs or cotton balls at least once every two weeks. At the first sign of any unusual discharge or an unpleasant odor in your dog's ears, take your dog to the veterinarian for an examination. This is very important. Proper care of a dog's eyesThis is done using cotton wool soaked in a special lotion.
Regularly monitor your pet's teeth. If you notice signs of tartar buildup, consult a veterinarian. This problem can be prevented by providing your dog with cartilage, chewable bones, and special teeth cleaning toys. Pay particular attention to your dog's mouth during early puppyhood to ensure the puppy's bite is developing properly.
Education and training
Dogs of this breed are distinguished by their highly developed intelligence and cleverness, and they are easy to train and train. However, to see results more quickly, you should begin training your puppy within the first few days of its arrival in your home. need to be taught simple commands - "come to me", "sit", "place".
An adult pet won't cause any problems if you notice any changes in behavior and respond appropriately. You should prohibit a puppy from doing anything you wouldn't want to see in an adult. If you see a puppy trying to gain dominance, you should immediately do everything possible to prevent this. If you have a serious problem with your pet that you can't resolve on your own, it might be worth seeking the help of an experienced trainer. With proper training, this breed will be a joy to interact with. Moreover, it won't cause you any frustration, and children will find it a loyal, honest, and playful companion.
Kennels and clubs
The first domestic dog breeders became acquainted with the Ca de Bo in 1992. Our country only recently became a leader in breeding these dogs. A landmark year was 1997, when the National Club Ca de BouIt didn't take long for him to gain recognition from the Spanish National Breed Association. Most kennels breeding this breed in our country are concentrated in Moscow.
Reviews
Our family is the proud owner of a Ca de Bou dog. Our beloved Argo has been with us for four years now. Despite her small size for a large dog, she thrives in our apartment. She is a very kind animal who is always gentle with children. Whenever a child starts crying, our pet is the first to rush to their aid. For Argo His short coat is very easy to care for.He's not a picky eater and happily devours porridge with meat. After a walk, we don't have to force him into the bath to wash his paws. We've never seen him show any signs of aggression, and he's friendly even with strangers.
When I learned about this breed, I couldn't find a single negative review, so I decided to get this particular dog. But to please my daughter, who dreamed of an Amstaff, we chose a black Ca de Bou, which It's a bit like AmStaff.My daughter loved my decision. It's been five months since we've had this little girl in our apartment, and she already treats her differently. If we ever get another dog, it will definitely be a Cadbury. Daimi has become a new family member, and we love her very much. She's a great choice for an apartment, as she's small, very obedient, and incredibly loyal.
We recently got this dog—just two months ago. We got him as a six-month-old puppy, but we still found common ground. I'd like to express special thanks to the breeder, who taught him basic commands. But we're still continuing to train him ourselves. We're literally amazed at how quickly she picks up everything. She especially enjoys playing.
We often go somewhere with her to play ball and try to catch up with each other. At such moments the dog looks especially happy, a smile seems to appear on his face. At the same time, he's an excellent guard dog. He reacts very well to anyone walking through the entrance, letting out a menacing growl. However, a few moments pass, and he returns to being a calm and good-natured dog.
Conclusion
Ca de Bo dogs can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with the breed due to their impressive size. However, once you get to know these magnificent animals, their attitude changes. In fact, behind their formidable appearance lie sweet and good-natured creatures who, when needed, can demonstrate their excellent guard qualities. Despite all these advantages of the breed, choosing it should be done wisely. A person must understand the responsibility they are taking on and the potential consequences if they fail to meet their standards.
