Greek Sheepdog vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison

Greek Sheepdog vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed ComparisonGreek Sheepdog is originated from Greece but Fox Terrier (Smooth) is originated from United Kingdom. Greek Sheepdog may grow 34 cm / 14 inches higher than Fox Terrier (Smooth). Greek Sheepdog may weigh 41 kg / 91 pounds more than Fox Terrier (Smooth). Greek Sheepdog may live 3 years less than Fox Terrier (Smooth). Both Greek Sheepdog and Fox Terrier (Smooth) has almost same litter size. Both Greek Sheepdog and Fox Terrier (Smooth) requires Moderate 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.

fox terrier smooth - historyThe Smooth Fox Terrier is one of two Fox Terrier breeds, the other being the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. Fox Terriers are believed to be one of the oldest terrier breeds and the ancestor of many terriers who came after. The Fox Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and the smooth Fox Terrier as a separate breed 100 years later in 1985. Some clubs still consider the two types of Fox Terriers as the same breed. The standard for smooth Fox Terrier was written in 1876 but not accepted until 1985.

Both breeds of Fox Terriers are thought to originate in the late 1800’s descended from various British Terriers, the beagle, the dachshund and the Fox Hound. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a base coat that is white. The hunters bred them this way, so they would not mistake them for the fox during the hunt. They have also been very successful in prestigious dog shows including Crufts in England and New York Westminster in the United States.

They are not that popular today unless you are hunting and showing them in Confirmation Competitions. However, the Smooth Fox Terrier is significant because of all the terriers that consider it their direct ancestor. This would include the Jack Russel, the Rat Terrier and the Miniature Fox Terrier.

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.

fox terrier smooth puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Fox Terrier is distinguished from the Wirehaired and other terriers by his V-shaped head and white based coat. The coat can have tan, black and black and tan marks on the white coat. The Smooth Fox Terrier is sturdy, strong, sleek and symmetrical. The breed has a short back, and proportioned legs. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a flat skull and tapered muzzle. The nose is black, and the eyes are dark. He has v-shaped ears and a docked tail. Docking is no longer legal throughout the United Kingdom.

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.

Characteristics

fox terrier smooth dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness They shouldn’t be trusted with young children but if raised with older children ok

Special talents

They are good at performing tricks, Search and rescue, narcotics detection, tracking, and disability assistance.

Adaptability

Fox Terrier is adaptable and can live anywhere. He is not a big dog but remember he is very high energy.

Learning ability

They have very good learning ability and are very intelligent but can be stubborn

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.

fox terrier smooth puppies - health problemsOne of the major problems for the Smooth Fox Terrier that the Wirehaired does not face is the potential for deafness. This is an issue in dogs that are mostly white in color. Other concerns that he does share with the Wirehaired Terrier are:

  1. Distichiasis
  2. Eye lash in an abnormal place causing pain
  3. Legg-Perthes Disease
  4. Causes a very serious muscle loss in the dog’s legs
  5. Shoulder Dislocation
  6. Causes pain and arthritis
  7. Post-nasal Drip
  8. Just annoying
  9. Mast Cell Tumor
  10. Cancer – could be fatal
  11. Myasthenia Gravis

Causes muscle weakness and problems swallowing.

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.

Feeding the puppy

fox terrier smooth dogs - caringFeed 2-3 meals per day and divide 1/8-1/4 cup

Feeding the adult

Feed two meals per day and divide ½ cup

Points for Good Health

hearing and vision

Games and Exercises

The Smooth Fox Terrier is an athlete requiring a lot of exercise. Take him on long walks and play with him in a large fenced yard. Don’t coup him up in the house. Be careful not to exercise him off leash as he will chase anything that moves and will not come when called. They need mental stimulation as well as physical. They are good at hunting, agility, tracking, performing tricks and being a watchdog.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Greece
United Kingdom
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
Height Female:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Greek Shepherd, Olympus Dog
Smooths Fox Terrier Smooth Coat, Foxy, SFT
Colors Available:
White with red, black or brown markings
white with brown, black, tan or ginger markings
Coat:
Thick, double-coat, long hair
dense, flat
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Schnauzer vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  10. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  14. Lakeland Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  15. Jagdterrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  16. Indian Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  18. Japanese Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  19. Old English Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  20. Scoland Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  21. Skye Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Himalayan Mastiff vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain View Cur vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Native American Indian Dog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Greenland Dog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Komondor vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  41. Greek Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  42. Greek Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  43. Greek Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  44. Greek Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  45. Greek Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  46. Greek Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  47. Greek Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  48. Greek Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  49. Greek Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  50. Greek Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds