Dogo Sardesco vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison

Dogo Sardesco vs Brussels Griffon - Breed ComparisonDogo Sardesco is originated from Italy but Brussels Griffon is originated from Belgium. Dogo Sardesco may grow 48 cm / 19 inches higher than Brussels Griffon. Dogo Sardesco may weigh 39 kg / 86 pounds more than Brussels Griffon. Both Dogo Sardesco and Brussels Griffon has same life span. Dogo Sardesco may have more litter size than Brussels Griffon. Dogo Sardesco requires Low maintenance. But Brussels Griffon requires Moderate maintenance

History

dogo sardesco - historyThis is an ancient working dog breed which hails from the Italian island of Sardinia. When you do research, you find that no one is sure as to this dogs exact origin, and there are a number of theories as to how the dog developed.

Regardless of how the Dogo Sardesco came about, it is a valued companion of farmers in Sardinia, being appreciated for its protective nature.

The dog is a kind of Molosser or Mastiff dog. In the past the dog has been used as a working and hunting dog, and today he is a popular dog in mainland Italy. He is also known as Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser and Dogo Sardo.

The Dogo Sardesco isn’t recognized today by international kennel clubs, and breeders on the island of Sardinia have done nothing to form a breed club for the dog.

brussels griffon - historyThe Brussels Griffon is one of the three different types of Griffons. There is the Belgian, the Petit, and the Brussels Griffon. “Griffon” means wiry and the Brussels Griffon lives up to that moniker. The Brussels Griffon’s coat is longer than that of the Belgian Griffon and the Petit Brabanon (Griffon) has a smooth, short coat. The breed is probably originally developed by crossing Belgian street dogs with the Affenpinsher as early in the 1800’s. They were favored by the cabbies in Brussels as guard dogs. They were also bred to hunt rats. Sometime toward the end of the 19th century, the Griffon was again crossed this time with a pug. This accounts for the type of head that the Brussels Griffon has, namely a brachycephalic head. It also accounts for the smooth coat of the Petit Griffon. The modern-day Griffon may also have been crossed at some time with one or more of these breeds: the English Toy Spaniel, the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.

By 1880, the breed was recognized and appeared in the Brussels Exhibition of 1880. They were also found in paintings of the same era by the Flemish painter, Van Eyck. In the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was extremely popular with the nobility in Belgium. As with so many other breeds, the number of Brussels Griffon was greatly reduced during the First World War. It did not take them long however to make a comeback after the war. Their popularity then spread around the globe.

The European FCI considers the Brussels Griffon, the Belgian Griffon and the Petit Brabancon (Griffon) to be three separate breeds with no interbreeding among them. They are shown as three separate breeds in Europe, with the difference between the Belgian and Brussels being the accepted colors. The Brussels is only red in color while the Belgium Griffon can be in all other colors. In the United States the three types of Griffons are considered one breed with three varieties. Only the Brussels Griffon is recognized by the AKC. The difference in coat and color make for the different varieties in the U.S.

Description

dogo sardesco puppy - descriptionThe dog Sardesco is a medium to large sized dog generally measuring 56 to 68 cm at the withers and weighing roughly 30 to 45 kg.

Because the dog isn’t bred to specific standards, it varies in appearance, but it is a powerful looking dog, being lean and athletic. The dog’s tail is traditionally docked, but with tail docking being frowned upon, the tail is left long and the dog loses its distinctive look.

The head of the dog is large and the ears are also traditionally cropped to be very short. Left naturally, the ears fold down closely to the sides of the head.The eyes are small and amber colored. The coat is short and smooth, but thick, and while it comes in many colors, the more regular color is red, brown, black, grey or brindle.

Temperament:

The Dogo Sardesco becomes a loyal family pet, more so when he has been trained and socialized. Although he is a devoted and affectionate dog, forming particularly strong bonds with his human family, he isn’t recommended for homes where there are young children.

He also doesn’t take too kindly to other pets in the home. This is because they are a strong-willed, dominant breed and might therefore not be a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Because Sardinian breeders have focused on developing an aggressive dog, he has become a dog suspicious of- and aloof with strangers. He is stubborn and self-willed, and to make him more obedient and amicable, he will require training and socialization. He is an alert, intelligent dog and this makes him an excellent watch dog.

The Sardinian Mastiff is an active dog too and won’t do well in a home where the people aren’t interested in exercise. He is the kind of dog that will need to be taken with you on walks, and he will love to spend time running alongside you when you go running or cycling.

He won’t adapt too well to life in the city, particularly when there is just a tiny garden.

brussels griffon puppy - descriptionAll three types of Griffons are toy size dogs with short, thick bodies and distinctive brachycephalic heads. Regardless of coat color their muzzles and whiskers are black, and they have large eyes, also black, a mustache and beard. They have black eyelashes and a nose that is very black. All this is set against their red, beige, black or black and tan coat. Their forehead is dome shaped and the muzzle is short. The breed has small ears that are high up on the dog’s head. The ears might be cropped in the United States but would not be in Europe. The lower jaw is prominent and the jaw itself is undershot. They have black toenails and pads, with strong and muscular hind legs. The Griffon has a docked, high set tail in the U.S. and a full tail in Europe and all of the United Kingdom.

The rough coated types have a dense and wiry coat and the standard encourages the hardest possible wire coat. Their heads are also wiry and long around the chin, cheeks, nose and eyes. They should be hand-stripped and never left ungroomed. The coat can matt if not taken care of adequately. One of the most important features of the Brussels Griffon is its human like face or monkey like appearance.

Characteristics

dogo sardesco dog - characteristicsThe Dogo Sardesco has always performed his role as a working dog well, and this is a reliable watch dog as well as the dog takes his job of guarding his human family seriously.

With his aggressive temperament, he has appeared on the list of banned breeds, and this is why he isn’t an ideal choice for homes where there are small children, as some small children haven’t been taught how to treat a dog with respect.

However, when properly trained and socialized he becomes an excellent companion dog. He has an intimidating look about him, but when he is with his human family, another side comes out and he is affectionate, loving and protective.

Characteristics

brussels griffon dog - characteristicsThe Brussels Griffon is sociable, alert and very intelligent. She is very energetic, playful and loving. They bond deeply with their family. Housebreaking might be a challenge as it is with all toy/small breeds. They are incredibly lonely and restless when their people are not around them. They have great personalities, terrier like characteristics, and deep loyalty to their humans. They are great companions and love children. Just remember how small they are. They are susceptible to Little Dog Syndrome if the human does not establish themselves as the alpha right away.

Health Problems

dogo sardesco puppies - health problemsThe Dogo Sardesco is a relatively healthy breed who is unlikely to suffer with ailments common to dogs, but nonetheless there are some diseases or conditions that you might want to be aware of with your dog.

Skeletal and visual problems can occur in this breed. Both hip- and elbow dysplasia are common orthopedic disorders in dogs and they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and even cause lifelong disability.

Genes and environmental factors play a part in your dog developing this disease.If he has been diagnosed as having hip or elbow dysplasia, get your dog to the vet as there are treatments which can at least make your pet a lot more comfortable.

Remember that feeding your puppy Dogo Sardesco too much food which is particularly high in calories can mean him growing too fast, and this can contribute to this hip dysplasia problem.

brussels griffon puppies - health problemsThe Brussels Griffon is susceptible to many of the diseases and genetic conditions that many other toy or small dogs have. Flat-faced breeds like the Griffon also suffer from difficulty with breathing under certain weather conditions and they are known to snore. They should not be kept in hot, sunny, humid climates for this reason. They may also display patella luxation (slipping kneecaps) and hip dysplasia. Lastly, they are susceptible to ear infections. Dams are often in need of cesarean sections to deliver their litters. They have very serious health issues due to the head shape and flat face. These might include eye and respiratory issues and syringomyelia – a deadly neurological disease. They are susceptible to epilepsy, dental issues and eye lash issues.

Caring The Pet

dogo sardesco dogs - caringDog owners who don’t like the idea of spending too much money on grooming will appreciate that the Dogo Sardesco is a very low maintenance breed, and that a good brushing twice a week will keep the dog’s coat shiny and healthy.

As with all other dogs, he will need to have his teeth brushed to remove plaque build up. Not only does plaque lead to dental disease, but bad teeth can lead to other health issues too.

Nail clipping will also be necessary if your pet doesn’t wear the nails down naturally from getting to run on a hard surface from time to time.

Feeding

brussels griffon dogs - caringThe Brussels Griffon can choke easily so take care with the size of kibble you feed them. They need about one fourth to one half of a cup of high quality dry food that is designed for small or toy dogs. Divide this amount into two or three small meals per day. Puppies should be fed more often than adults but never feed just one large meal per day. Be careful that your Brussels Griffon does not become obese.

Health issues

The Brussels Griffon, regardless of type has some very serious health issues due to the shape of their heads.

Syringomyelia – extremely painful and fatal neurological disease.

Brachycephalic Syndrome – This can cause all the respiratory issues as well as eye issues such as cataracts and corneal ulcers.

Epilepsy - Seizures

Dental Disease – gum disease

Puppy Mortality – one of every four Brussels Griffon pupped die at birth.

Exercise and games

This is a very playful and energetic breed that needs at least some exercise every day. They love to play with their family. They are smart and easy to train. They love agility, obedience, barn hunt and tracking activities. You can just as effectively play with and exercise your Brussels inside as well as out.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Italy
Belgium
Height Male:
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Height Female:
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
16 - 18 cm
6 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
1 - 4
Size:
Large dog
Toy dog
Other Names:
Dogo Sardo, Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser
Griffon Belge • Griffon Bruxellois • Brussels Griffon • Petit Brabancon • Belgian Griffon • Griffon
Colors Available:
black, brown, grey or brindle , Red
red, black-and-reddish-brown (called belge), black and tan, and black
Coat:
Short, smooth, dense
rough and smooth types
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Cheerful, Energetic, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  3. Presa Canario vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  4. Labrador Husky vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  5. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  6. Goldador vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  7. Dogo Sardesco vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  8. Dogo Sardesco vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  9. Dogo Sardesco vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  10. Dogo Sardesco vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  11. Dogo Sardesco vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  12. Dogo Sardesco vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  13. Dogo Sardesco vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  14. Dogo Sardesco vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  15. Dogo Sardesco vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  16. Dogo Sardesco vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  17. Dogo Sardesco vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  18. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Dogo Sardesco vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  21. Dogo Sardesco vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  22. Dogo Sardesco vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  23. Dogo Sardesco vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Dogo Sardesco vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Dogo Sardesco vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  26. Chihuahua vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  27. Morkie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  28. Havanese vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  29. Chorkie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  30. Pekingese vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  31. Chinese Crested Dog vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  32. Chiweenie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  33. Chug vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  34. Brussels Griffon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Brussels Griffon vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  36. Brussels Griffon vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  37. Chipoo vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Chiapom vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  39. English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  40. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  41. Russian Toy Terrier vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  42. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  43. Phalene vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  44. Bugg vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  45. Cockachon vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  46. Shih Tzu vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  47. Silky Terrier vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  48. Snorkie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  49. Toy Bulldog vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  50. Toy Mi-Ki vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds