Bulgarian Shepherd vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Bulgarian Shepherd vs Australian Bulldog - Breed ComparisonBulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria but Australian Bulldog is originated from Australia. Bulgarian Shepherd may grow 25 cm / 10 inches higher than Australian Bulldog. Bulgarian Shepherd may weigh 22 kg / 49 pounds more than Australian Bulldog. Bulgarian Shepherd may live 45 years more than Australian Bulldog. Both Bulgarian Shepherd and Australian Bulldog has almost same litter size. Both Bulgarian Shepherd and Australian Bulldog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

bulgarian shepherd - historyThe Bulgarian Shepard Dog comes from the ancient line of Molossers of Central Asia and Tibet, and the shepherds of the Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus. Among the oldest and most valued of the working dogs of Europe, the Bulgarian Shepherd breed was created by mixing the Balkan breeds with the dogs from Central Asia by the proto-Bulgarians around the 7th century. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Mixing this breed in with the Balkan and Central Asian mix developed the Bulgarian Shepherd we know today. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. Although the breeds are not the same, most of the dog world does not know the difference.

In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. One Kuche could run up to 1200 animals and hundreds were used by the herdsmen in the mountains of Bulgaria. There were many regional types of Bulgarian Shepherds with very little difference between those types. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Bulgarian Shepherd lives a long life of often over 20 years. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century.

Following World War II, the wolves were close to extinction and property in Bulgaria was nationalized. There was no longer a need for a large force of working dogs. The Communist government exterminated large numbers of sheep dogs including the Bulgarian Shepherd. Only those species on government owned farms and in remote regions survived. When the government farms were disbanded in the early 20th century, these dogs were exterminated as well. Only those in the mountains survived. Commercial breeding of the Bulgarian Shepherd in the end of the century has resulted in controversy as other breeds came into the breeding program.

Use of breeds such as Sarplaninacs, Caucasian Ovcharkas, St. Bernards, Central Asian Ovcharkas and Bosnian Tornjaks in these programs resulted in Bulgarian Shepherd or Karakachans that were a lot different from the original breed. There is therefore some concern about the future of the breed in Bulgaria, yet they received official Bulgarian national recognition in 2000. Today’s Bulgarian Shepherd is a guard dog for both property and livestock.

The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. Only those dogs that meet this standard are considered “true” Karakachans. The Bulgarian Shepherds are willing to fight bears and wolves in defense of its family and flock. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They are recognized by both the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology (BRFC) a member of the FCI.

australian bulldog - historyThe Australian Bulldog was bred from several breeds: The Bullmastiff, English bulldog, the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Boxer. You will notice that his appearance is quite similar to the English bulldog, but this breed has a less-squished muzzle, fewer wrinkles and longer legs. They have great strength with a good thickness of the bone. They are solid and compact breed with good muscle tone.

The head structure of an Aussie Bulldog is one of its main attributes. It is very strong, square shaped with depth and width of muzzle less than a general bulldog. They have some wrinkle across the nose. Eyes are wide apart, large and clean. The jaw is wide and square, with strong teeth.

The name Australian Bulldog was given by Noel and Tina Green, the founders of the breed. They introduced Australian Bulldog to the public in 1998.

Description

bulgarian shepherd puppy - descriptionA massive, powerful and muscular Molosser, the Bulgarian Shepherd is strong, agile, powerful and fast. They are intelligent and reliable. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. Their skull is massive and broad with a furrowed forehead. The muzzle is massive as well while the nose has wide nostrils and is fairly large. It has close fitting, thick lips with strong, scissor bite jaws. The Bulgarian Shepherd’s eyes are deep, oblique and small. They are either hazel or dark. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression.

Their ears are low set, small and v-shaped. They sit close to the head which sits on a powerful but short neck. They have a broad back, well-muscled body with a deep chest and long, rough tail. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. There are two types of coats – longhaired and shorthaired with no undercoats.

australian bulldog puppy - descriptionAustralian bulldogs can be very good companions considering their natural loyalty. They just love to interact with humans and they are rarely aggressive.

They can be taught to be excellent watchdogs. The perfect place to raise this breed would be a house with a yard. The Australian Bulldog is usually dominant toward other dogs in its territory but, with proper training and early socialization, you can teach them to get along with other dogs and pets.

No matter if you are an active single, or you plan to bring an Australian bulldog puppy into the big family, as long as you are caring and loving toward him, he will be an amazing pet.

The Australian Bulldog is not recommended for apartment life. But, you can teach him to live in the smaller space if you tend to respect his daily need for activity. This breed is an indoor dog, and should not be left outside all day in a kennel. The best advice is to raise them in temperate climates since they can’t bear the extreme heat or extreme cold.

Characteristics

bulgarian shepherd dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog, intelligent and independent guard dog. Reserved around strangers but loyal and devoted with his family. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. He is quite capable of making her own independent decisions. These are very intense guard dogs that will respond aggressively if they think their people are being attacked.

Around children

australian bulldog dog - characteristicsAustralian Bulldog is a breed that will protect their family. They are great during the playtime with children as well. If you don’t have children, make sure you socialize your dog with children while he is still young.

Special talents

They are extremely intelligent. You can teach you Australian Bulldog almost everything in a very short time.

Adaptability

early socialization is a must with the Australian Bulldog.

Learning ability

you should start to train your Australian Bulldog as soon as possible. Positive reinforcement-based training methods are the ones you need to master in order to raise a good Australian Bulldog. They will be trained easily if there is a firm, consistent hand in training and they need leadership role from their owners. They can be taught very easy to be obedient and they love playing games like Frisbee, catch, water activities (but they swim very rarely because of their big and heavy chests), exploring the nature.

Health Problems

bulgarian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe breed itself is known to be healthy but they do face some of the usual health issues of the massive, giant breeds. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. All of these conditions require medical intervention, but bloat and osteosarcoma are the deadliest. Bloat needs immediate attention and osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer.

australian bulldog puppies - health problemsAustralian Bulldog has better health than the English bulldog and its health continues to improve with each generation.

Breathing problems

The pushed-in face causes harder breathing. Be aware that they can’t use the air to cool itself off as quickly as necessary. During the extreme heat, Australian Bulldogs can develop heat stroke and die from it.

Skin problems

Take special care of the wrinkles on their nose. They will require everyday care since wrinkles need to be cleaned and kept dry to prevent the skin infection. Bath the dog only when it is necessary because of too much bathing with soap damages the natural oils in its skin.

Obesity

The Australian Bulldog, on average, is fed two times a day. They have the high risk of obesity, so there is no real need for more than two meals. Make sure to choose a premium quality food and to feed the dog according to the instructions. Also, they need lots of fresh water since they will be super active pet.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

bulgarian shepherd dogs - caringThese are large dogs with large appetites, but you want to keep them lean and active. Feed them at least twice a day with a high quality large or giant dog dry food. Four to five cups of food per day is the maximum.

Health issues

Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.

Bloat - distended or twisted stomach. Can cause death.

Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.

Entropion – eye issues when the eyelid turns inward and damages the eye.

Hip Dysplasia – May cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

The Bulgarian Shepherd needs a good amount of exercise every day. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. Long walks every day are essential for his well-being.

australian bulldog dogs - caringFeeding the puppy and adult: high-quality dog food for active dogs is a must. Do not overfeed them. If you are not sure about the amount of food your dog really needs, please consult a vet.

Grooming

The Australian Bulldog needs minimal grooming. They should be brushed at least once a week using a firm bristled brush. They shed a moderate amount on a regular basis so there will be loose hair to deal with. Make sure to clip the nails when necessary. They will need a tooth brushing two times a week and checking and wiping its ears once a week.

Points for Good Health: every day long walks, plenty of exercises, special skin care and regular vet check-ups.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
Bulgaria
Australia
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
44 - 49 cm
17 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
28 - 35 kg
61 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
45 - 57 Years
9 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Aussie bulldog, Australian Boss dog
Colors Available:
BlackWhiteTricolor
in the shades of brindle like red, fawn, pied, apricot, mahogany, orange, silver
Coat:
Single
short, fine coat with a smooth texture
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Chow Chow vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Dalmatian vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  3. Chinese Shar Pei vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  4. Keeshond vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  5. Australian Bulldog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  6. Australian Bulldog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  7. Mexican Hairless vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  8. Tibetan Terrier vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  9. Standard Poodle vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  10. Norwegian Lundehund vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  11. American Pit Bull Terrier vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  12. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  13. Australian Shepherd vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  14. American Bulldog vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  15. Bull Terrier vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  16. Golden Doodle vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  17. Pomsky vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  18. Basset Hound vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Border Collie vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  20. Sakhalin Husky vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Other vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  22. Olde English Bulldogge vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  23. Samoyed vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Great Pyrenees vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Presa Canario vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Labrador Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Argentine Dogo vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Giant Schnauzer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Goldador vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Dogo Cubano vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Dogo Sardesco vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Central Asian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. German Longhaired Pointer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Pyredoodle vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Lurcher vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Sarplaninac vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Mountain View Cur vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Central Anatolian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Native American Indian Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Greenland Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Komondor vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Bulgarian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds