Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Cordoba Fighting Dog is originated from Argentina but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) are having almost same height. Cordoba Fighting Dog may weigh 25 kg / 56 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has same life span. Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has almost same litter size. Cordoba Fighting Dog requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High maintenance

History

The Cordoba Fighting Dog is believed to be an extinct dog breed, but research will reveal that there are still those who believe that some of these dogs do still exist.

The dog was regarded as an aggressive, fighting dog and was a crossbreed of the Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Boxer and Bulldog.

Known also as the Argentine Fighting Dog or the Perro de Presa de Cordoba, this dog comes from Argentina where it was used for dog fighting, hog hunting as well as being a guard dog. It is thought that it became extinct in the 20th Century.

Breeders in Cordoba worked at developing a new fighting breed of dog based on the Bull Terrier. The breed became known as the Perro de Presa de Cordoba or Fighting Dog of Cordoba. He resembled the Bull Terrier and came in shades of fawn and brindle, although Argentine fanciers preferred the plain white dogs.

Over breeding for white coated dogs led to skin problems and other health problems, making it that except for fighting, the dog wasn’t in demand elsewhere. As fighting of dogs became more frowned on, the dog became extinct.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael - historyLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

Description

The Cordoba fighting dog is a mixed breed. Bull Terrier, Mastiff and Bulldog make up this dog breed.

He was a large dog, standing at between 58 and 62cm and weighing between 32 to 55 kg. He was lean and muscled with a wide chest and small ears that were cropped. His powerful jaws were to be avoided as once they settled around another dog’s throat, the grip was vice-like. The dog’s coat was short and was essentially white with black marks on the body and around the head.

Temperament:

A Cordoba Fighting Dog is aggressive and strong. While most dogs benefit immensely from training and socialization, these dogs, even with training, remained somewhat aggressive, so they were no doubt not a good choice for first time dog owners, or for those with children in the home. Also the dog was always aggressive towards other dogs.

You could safely say that if these dogs were around today, they would not be looked upon as the ideal family pet.

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

Characteristics

The Cordoba Fighting Dog was a hunter and also a fighting dog. It was a fierce, aggressive dog, and while he may have formed a bit of a bond with his owner, he wouldn’t have made a good family pet.

With an unstable temperament, who knows when he could have turned on his owner or the owner’s family? Certainly he wouldn’t have tolerated any other pets in the home.

Perhaps it is better if he has become extinct because dog fighting is abhorrent and hopefully being banned today, and he would never have been much good as a family pet.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

Health Problems

The Cordoba Fighting Dog was a generally healthy breed but even so, its very lifestyle made it want to gobble down his food without much chewing. This possibly resulted in a number of problems such as bloat.

Bloat:

Bloat is a serious condition which the Cordoba had to deal with and which happens with modern day dogs too. It is an ailment not to be taken lightly. Your dog will need to get to the vet as soon as possible. The dog’s stomach fills with gas, which can also result in the stomach twisting.

When the stomach fills with gas, pressure is put on the diaphragm, making it difficult for the dog to breathe. The dog’s abdomen is swollen, he has difficulty with breathing and he will likely be drooling. It is an ailment which can happen to any breed of dog, regardless of age. Larger dog breeds, however are more prone to it.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

The Cordoba Fighting Dog was a short haired dog and no doubt his owner would have given him a brush down every now and then to keep him looking presentable.

Diet:

The Cordoba was used for fighting to the death with other dogs, so a strong dog like this will have required a high-protein diet. The owners particularly wouldn’t have wanted a dog with hip- and elbow dysplasia and they would have ensured a good choice of raw meat, cooked brown rice and vegetables.

Manufactured dog food started emerging about the mid-1800s and the dogs would have been fed this, made up of wheat meals, meat and vegetables which was then mixed with cooked meat and vegetables.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Argentina
Belgium
Height Male:
58 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
58 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 55 kg
70 - 122 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 55 kg
70 - 122 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Argentine Fighting Dog, Perro de Presa de Cordoba, Cordoban Fighting Dog
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
White, brindle, fawn
Black
Coat:
Short and smooth
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  2. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  3. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  4. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  5. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  6. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  7. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  8. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  9. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  10. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  23. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  24. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  25. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  26. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Perro de Presa Canario vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Dogo Guatemalteco vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Molossus vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Danish Broholmer vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Sage Koochee vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  33. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Caucasian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cabecudo Boiadeiro - Breed Comparison
  36. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Canis Panther - Breed Comparison
  37. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cao de Castro Laboreiro - Breed Comparison
  38. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cao de Fila da Terceira - Breed Comparison
  39. Perro Cimarron vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Perro de Toro vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Gran Mastin de Borinquen vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Korean Mastiff vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Samoyed vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Labradoodle vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Mixed vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Great Pyrenees vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  48. Old English Sheepdog vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Presa Canario vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds