Greek Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Greek Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed ComparisonGreek Sheepdog is originated from Greece but Boerboel is originated from South Africa. Both Greek Sheepdog and Boerboel are having almost same height. Greek Sheepdog may weigh 40 kg / 88 pounds lesser than Boerboel. Both Greek Sheepdog and Boerboel has same life span. Greek Sheepdog may have less litter size than Boerboel. Greek Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance. But Boerboel requires Low maintenance

History

greek sheepdog - historyKnown as the Olympus Dog or even simply as the Greek Shepherd, the Greek Sheepdog is a large to giant molosser dog from Greece. His purpose has always been to guard flocks and livestock from predators and he has been around for hundreds of years, looking much like the Great Pyrenees.

It is believed that the dog was likely bred with a number of breeds – both local and non-local dogs.

Unfortunately there were no records kept of the development of the breed but today the Greek Sheepdog remains a rare and fairly unknown breed outside of Greece.

It's numbers are dwindling in Greece too and since 1998 the Greek ARCTUROS has made attempts to save the breed, starting the Greek Shepherd Dog Breeding Program.

boerboel - historyThe name ‘Boerboel’ is derived from an Afrikaans/Dutch word, and the large Boerboel dog from South Africa has been specifically bred to be a farmer’s dog. Bred also to be a strong guard dog, the Boerboel is a mix of different African and European breeds, which in all likelihood, will include the Bullmastiff, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Bulldog. These dogs were used to hunt baboon and leopard.

There is some information that suggests that the Boerboel was brought to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652. Other information suggest that the dog is a descendant of the old Boer Hund, a powerful animal which was invaluable to the farmer.

In was in January 2010, that the American Boerboel Club was elected as the AKC’s Parent Club. The Boerboel was accepted into the Miscellaneous Class in the Working dog group.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Greece
South Africa
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
Height Female:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
59 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
70 - 90 kg
154 - 199 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
68 - 90 kg
149 - 199 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Greek Shepherd, Olympus Dog
South African Boerboel, African Boerboel, South African Mastiff, African Mastiff
Colors Available:
White with red, black or brown markings
Fawn, Red, Brown, Brindle
Coat:
Thick, double-coat, long hair
Short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

greek sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Greek Sheepdog is a large dog, standing at 65 – 75cm and weighing roughly between 32 to 50kg. He is a dog that displays physical strength. He has a large head with brown eyes and a serious expression on his face. He has a thick double coat which is essentially white with red, black or brown markings.

You will also see tri-color dogs. He has floppy ears today but there was a time when the right ear of the male dog was cut off or cropped. The tail is long and bushy and it can be held low but also held up so that it curls over the back.

Temperament:

Maybe because of his size and him being a strong-willed, independent thinker, the Greek Shepherd may not be the best choice for a first time dog owner. Having said that, if you're a strong, firm, patient, kind person, then you'll be able to raise any kind of dog, first time or not.

The Greek Shepherd is a brave, loyal, calm, protective dog and with socialization and training, can make an awesome pet. They are dogs who are a bit suspicious with strangers, not making friends too easily. He loves his human family and wants to be part of their activities. He can't be left on his own day after day as this can lead to excessive barking and destructive behavior.

They've been dogs used to working with livestock and they will certainly need to be taken on daily walks and involved in rough and tumble games as they thrive on activity. The dog won't fit easily into city life where there is just a handkerchief-sized garden as he needs space and activity.

Looks

boerboel puppy - descriptionThe Boerboel is a big, strong dog with powerful muscles. His height is between 61 – 66cm. He is similar looking to the Boxer dog, just heavier and bigger. The head of the dog is broad and big and the short, smooth coat can be of various shades, with breeders trying to achieve a single color of light tan and with no white. Their coats can also be red, different shades of brown and brindle.

The dog has a black facial mask and the eyes are brown with the ears being of medium length and floppy. The Boerboel’s tail has always been docked, but today breeders are keeping the tail long. Many Boerboel lovers object to this, saying it detracts from the distinctive look of the Boerboel.

Temperament

The Boerboel can be a wonderfully loyal and loving pet to their owners. They are territorial dogs and suspicious of strangers. This is a dog where it is imperative that they receive training and socialization as a puppy. They have leanings towards being aggressive so they wouldn’t be recommended to first time dog owners, unless of course the first time owners are firm and strong.

Boerboels raised the right way can be gentle giants. They often get bad publicity as regards to aggression, but this is because of they way they have been raised. Boerboels have been bred to be tough and fearless and they make excellent watchdogs. When raised and trained correctly, they make awesome, devoted companions, even around children and other pets.

Characteristics

greek sheepdog dog - characteristicsYour Greek Shepherd is an intelligent, independent dog who likes to show his loyalty and devotion to his owner.

He is a protective dog too and when trained and socialized makes an excellent family pet. These Molosser type dogs are formidable dogs known for their bravery and courage.

They're the type of dogs who like a strong leader-type of owner and when he gets someone who he can look up to as his leader, he becomes a loyal, devoted pet.

boerboel dog - characteristicsA well trained, socialized Boerboel makes a splendid pet. This is one breed known to have excellent guard- and watch dog characteristics. Boerboels are known for being protective when necessary. When not on guard, they make wonderful pets. He’ll need plenty of exercise, but he loves to also spend time indoors with his human family.

This a a bold, fearless dog who becomes devoted to his family. With the right training he is obedient and affectionate and knows how to behave appropriately indoors- and outdoors. For such a big dog, the African Boeboel’s temperament can be surprisingly gentle and affectionate around the family that he loves.

Health Problems

greek sheepdog puppies - health problemsWith good care and lots of love, this dog can live to be between 10 to 12 years of age. He is unlikely to get sick very often, but still it it wise to know of some of the health issues than can occur with large breed dogs like this.

Some diseases to look out for include -

Dilated cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle. The heart is enlarged and unable to have the right heart rhythm. The distended muscle isn't able to push the blood through the heart chambers to where it is needed. Cause for this dilated heart can be genetic, nutritional, infectious or metabolic.

Because taurine and carnitine are involved in good heart function, and low levels of these amino acids can cause symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy, supplementation is useful, especially if you feel your dog isn't getting in the right kind of food.

Lyme Disease:

Borreliosis, a bacterial infection, causes Lyme disease, transmitted by the Ixodes tick. The tick bites the dog and the toxins gets into the dog's bloodstream, with the bacteria travelling to different parts of the body.

Typical symptoms in a dog includes loss of appetite, fever, no energy, swelling of joints and lameness, but symptoms can progress to kidney failure too or cardiac problems. Treatment will include antibiotics.

boerboel puppies - health problemsMany health problems experienced with any dog are found in the way dogs are fed, the way they are exercised and the way they are attended to when they are ill. Boerboels are healthy dogs and suffer fewer health defects than most similar breeds. The average life expectancy of a Boerboel is about 10 to 12 years. There are one or two health issues you’ll want to watch out for with your Boerboel.

Hip dysplasia

This aliment is typically found in large breed dogs. It’s a problem caused by a malformation of the hip joint. Over time hip dysplasia causes discomfort, pain and even arthritis and lameness. It is genetically inherited, with its severity being influenced by environmental factors. There are treatments available to alleviate the symptoms and make the dog more comfortable.

Obesity

The Boerboel has plenty of muscle mass, and because he is such a large dog with a big appetite, he can lean towards obesity. Plenty of activities will be imperative to maintain muscle mass and ward off obesity. Over-eating suppresses the immune system, so over-feeding your dog simply contributes to ill health.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

greek sheepdog dogs - caringThe coat of the Greek Shepherd is fairly long so it will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from matting and tangling. He is an average shedder and the brushing will remove all loose hairs, keeping the coat sleek and shiny.

Diet:

Feeding your Greek Sheepdog requires giving him top quality food as this will ensure he is healthy and can ward off common dog illnesses. If you're going to be feeding him kibble, make sure to go for the top quality brands, and as a treat for your pet you can add in some brown rice, pasta, brown bread, cooked chicken and vegetables.

Dogs are essentially carnivores and he will need to have some raw meat such as beef added into his kibble from time to time. He should never ever be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming

boerboel dogs - caringBoerboels are a robust breed and their short hair doesn’t shed heavily. Your Boerbul will require a thorough brushing twice a week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Boerboels, just like any other dog, should have their teeth brushed regularly to prevent tartar and plaque build-up. Left unattended, your pet can battle with tooth decay and gum disease.

Feeding

Your Boerboel puppy will need ‘large breed puppy’ dog food. Speak to your veterinarian about wet- or dry kibble choices. An adult Boerboel will certainly need raw meat in his diet. When you do research, you find that the best Boerboel breeders are advocates for raw feeding. Home made food with rice, vegetables and meat as well as the best quality commercially manufactured dog foods for large breeds are excellent choices but raw meat is imperative as part of every dog’s diet.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  9. Himalayan Mastiff vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  10. Mountain View Cur vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  11. Native American Indian Dog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Greenland Dog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  13. Komondor vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  14. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  16. Greek Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  17. Greek Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  18. Greek Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  19. Greek Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  20. Greek Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  21. Greek Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  22. Greek Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  23. Greek Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  24. Greek Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  25. Greek Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  27. Bullmastiff vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  28. Great Pyrenees vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  29. Boerboel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  31. Boerboel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  32. Boerboel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  33. Boerboel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  34. Boerboel vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  35. Boerboel vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  36. Boerboel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  37. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Boerboel vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  39. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  40. Boerboel vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  41. Boerboel vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  42. Boerboel vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  43. Presa Canario vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  44. Labrador Husky vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  45. Argentine Dogo vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  46. Giant Schnauzer vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  47. Goldador vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Cubano vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  49. Dogo Sardesco vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  50. Central Asian Shepherd vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds