Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison

Cordoba Fighting Dog is originated from Argentina but Bisben is originated from India. Cordoba Fighting Dog may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Bisben. Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Bisben are of same weight. Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Bisben has almost same life span. Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Bisben has almost same litter size. Both Cordoba Fighting Dog and Bisben requires Low 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.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding this large herding dog said to come out of the Himalaya Mountains of Asia. The belief is that sheepdogs were crossed with wolves toward the end of the 18th century, but his origin is basically unknown. They are both herding dogs and guard dogs. Others theorize that rather than a wolf, the breed arose from the Mastif family. Still others claim that the Bisben is not a breed at all but rather a “landrace”. A landrace is an animal group that is only found to exist in the local area or is bred locally for a specific reason, while a breed is developed intentionally and from a select purebred with pedigree. The Bisben may be a landrace since it is very popular in India but hardly known anywhere else. What is known is that the Brisben was in existence at the end of the 1700’s and its job was to protect and herd livestock. There are three main theories about the origin of the Bisben. They are, in no particular order:

1. The Bisben was developed by mixing several different Himalayan and Indian Sheepdogs with wolves. The wolf population in the Himalayas and in India live in very close proximity to dogs and people and this population is quite large. These Tibetan and Indian wolves are known to be smaller, more comfortable with people and less aggressive than wolves from other parts of the world.

2. The Bisben was developed by mixing local sheep herding dogs with the Tibetan Mastiff. This gave the breed its protective nature and its large size according to this theory.

3. The Bisben was developed by mixing local dogs with the ones the British, Portuguese and French imported to the India subcontinent.

There is a fourth theory as well and it combines all three of these, supposing that the Bisben is a product of crossing local dogs with wolves, Tibetan Mastiffs and European dogs.

Regardless of their origins, the Bisben grew into one of the most respected animals in the Southern Himalayas. Their assistance to the shepherds of the area was unquestioned and irreplaceable. They were touch enough to herd flocks of goats or sheep across several treacherous and unstable mountain passes. The environment in which these dogs worked when herding is one of the harshest environments on the face of the earth. Temperatures were dangerously cold, altitudes dangerously high and the terrain just plain dangerous. Many deadly large predators live there as well. This included tigers, Asiatic black bears, golden eagles, Himalayan brown bears, snow leopards, fox, dholes, wolves, and small cats. The Bisben had to be able to fight off all of these predators. In addition to these herding and protecting duties, the Bisben was also known throughout the region as an excellent hunting dog. They are capable to this day of hunting large prey such as antelope or deer. They are equally comfortable hunting alone or in a pack. He has grown into one of the most popular hunting dogs in all of India.

The Himalayas, being so rugged and treacherous, were inaccessible to most of India for many centuries and the Brisben was unknown as well. Through the British imperialist expansion across all of the Indian subcontinent, the lowlands people were connected to the highlands and mountain people for the first time. This also meant that the Brisben was no longer unknown. The entire country began to appreciate the dog for its protection and herding of livestock, as well as a companion animal who would protect its owner and family as well. As India continues to grow the popularity of the Brisben grows as well and its numbers increase regularly. The breed, if it is a breed, remains an Indian secret. They have migrated to the countries around India, but their number are small. It is only in India that they are revered and prosper. They are not present in any great numbers in Europe, North America, Japan, or most of Asia.

Whether or not the Bisben becomes a recognized breed depends upon those who own and fancy them. Most Bisbens are bred to only other Bisbens in an effort to purify the breed. However, few dogs have pedigrees and the practice of breeding the Brisben to other breeds and mixed breed to acquire specific characteristics continues to this day. It is unlikely that the Bisben will ever be a purebred dog. It is quite variable in how it looks depending upon what the breeding line of the individual dog actually is. Does it look like a wolf? Does it look like a larger version of a local or European dog? There will always be these questions around the Bisben. Is it a breed or a landrace?

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.

As mentioned in the previous section the appearance of the Brisban can vary greatly from one dog to another based on the individual dogs’ ancestry. Breed or landrace, the Brisban breeding line is not very pure. Therefore, appearance can vary greatly from what is described here and there is no standard by which to measure the Brisban. Most are distinctly large animals, being as tall as the European mountain dogs – the Newfoundland or the Bernese Mountain Dog, Swiss Mountain Dog. St. Bernard and Great Pyrenees. Reports are that it is perhaps the largest dog in India. At least it is one of the largest dogs in India. The Bisben is said by some to be a large, bulky, husky dog while others claim it to be tall and athletic, leaner than the Mastiff bred. Again, there is disagreement on the size and shape of the Bisben’s head with some claiming it is massively square like a Mastiff while others say the head is long and like that of a wolf not a Mastiff. The long hair of the Bisben and its confusing heritage may be the cause. They are most often black but might also be found to be tricolor, tan and “wolf-color” or brown, grey, shades of sable and black. No matter how it looks, this is a dog that was designed to work in the harshest conditions known and their physical appearance should make that abundantly clear.

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.

The Bisben was so important to the people of the Indian subcontinent because of her temperament. He is a loyal, productive and courageous worker who took care of her flocks, her family and her pack. They are devoted to their family and if raised with children will care for them as well. He is suspicious of strangers. They are territorial and great watchdogs. They can take on any large challenger if need be to protect what they consider to be theirs. They can be highly dog aggressive and must be socialized as a puppy. Do not mix them with strange, unknown animals as the Bisben might attempt to kill them. If he sees them as his “pack” he will love and protect them, but not if he does not know them. Take as much time as you need to introduce him to a new animal and do not leave them unsupervised. They are not easy to train as they are stubborn, intelligent, want to be dominant and is a problem solver. If he doesn’t want to learn something forget it – he won’t. You can still train them. It just takes time and patience.

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.

Because he is not a purebred and is probably a land range, there have not been a lot of health studies done and written up on the Brisban. It is believed that the Bisben is for all practical purposes a healthy working dog. As long as the breeding practices are not compromised it should remain a healthy line. It is bred for temperament and work not for appearance and showmanship. Some problems that plague large dogs have been noted in the Bisben. These conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia; optical issues such as Entropion, Ectropion and cataracts; ear infections; and Demadex and Demodectic mange. Most of these conditions can be tested for either in DNA or early in a pup’s life and should be tested for by the breeder before a puppy is sold

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.

The Bisben is a large working dog that needs a lot of calories if you are keeping him busy. Do not let him get overweight. The Bisben should not be free fed but rather given two controlled portion meals per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned, the Bison was developed with the harshest of conditions in mind and long hours of hard work. It is a healthy breed that is however prone to any of the issues that any large dog is prone to including dysplasia and mange and well as optical issues.

Exercise and games

The Bisben needs a lot of exercise as the breed is developed for hard work. Walks are essential but if you have more than one dog, pack walks are even better and pack time at the dog park or in a fenced yard is great. The Bison was bred to hunt in packs as well as alone and they love to play in packs. In any respect they need at least an hour of strong exercise daily. If they don’t get enough exercise, they can become aggressive, destructive and fearful. This could result in destructive activity, barking and excess excitability. They are not very happy in the city and thrive in the countryside.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Argentina
India
Height Male:
58 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
Height Female:
58 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
48 - 74 cm
18 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 55 kg
70 - 122 pounds
18 - 55 kg
39 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 55 kg
70 - 122 pounds
16 - 52 kg
35 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
4 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Argentine Fighting Dog, Perro de Presa de Cordoba, Cordoban Fighting Dog
Bisben Sheepdog, Bisben Shepherd, Himalayan Bisben, Himalayan Bisben Sheepdog, Himalayan Bisben Shepherd, Himalayan Sheepdog, Himalayan Shepherd, Indian Sheepdog, and Indian Shepherd
Colors Available:
White, brindle, fawn
jet black, either solidly or with white markings on the feet and chest. Other commonly seen colors are tan, tricolor, and “wolf-color,” which probably means grey, brown, black, and/or various shades of sable.
Coat:
Short and smooth
long, wiry, coarse, harsh
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Aggressive, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
No
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Perro de Presa Canario vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Dogo Guatemalteco vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Molossus vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Danish Broholmer vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Sage Koochee vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  8. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Caucasian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cabecudo Boiadeiro - Breed Comparison
  11. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Canis Panther - Breed Comparison
  12. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cao de Castro Laboreiro - Breed Comparison
  13. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cao de Fila da Terceira - Breed Comparison
  14. Perro Cimarron vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Perro de Toro vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Gran Mastin de Borinquen vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Korean Mastiff vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Samoyed vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Labradoodle vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  20. Mixed vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Great Pyrenees vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. Old English Sheepdog vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Presa Canario vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Newfoundland Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  26. Leonberger vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  27. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  28. Bisben vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Bisben vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Bisben vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  31. Bisben vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  32. Moscow Watchdog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  33. Spanish Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  34. St. Bernard vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  35. Kars Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  36. Moscow Water Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  37. Ciobanesc de Bucovina vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  38. Great Dane vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  39. English Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  40. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  41. Bully Kutta vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Wolfhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  43. Francais Blanc et Orange vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  44. Mountain Burmese vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  45. Gaddi Kutta vs Bisben - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds