Mucuchies vs Lurcher - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Mucuchies vs Lurcher - Breed ComparisonMucuchies is originated from Venezuela but Lurcher is originated from United Kingdom. Both Mucuchies and Lurcher are having almost same height. Mucuchies may weigh 29 kg / 64 pounds more than Lurcher. Mucuchies may live 3 years less than Lurcher. Both Mucuchies and Lurcher has same litter size. Both Mucuchies and Lurcher requires Low maintenance.

History

mucuchies - historyThe Mucuchies are a breed born in the Venezuelan mountains, in the late 1700s. They are rare today but were popular in the mountains for hundreds of years. They are believed to be a cross between the dogs brought by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 14th and 15th centuries and the local dogs. However, by the 1960s this rare breed was close to extinction.

Bred primarily as herders and watchdogs, their ancestry likely included the Algerian Mastiff, the Spanish Mastiff, the Great Pyrenees, and the Atlas Shepherd, otherwise known as the Aidi. The early development of the Mucuchies is attributed to Wilender Ferrari, DVM. At the time, Simon Boliva was fighting for Venezuelan independence in the city of Mucuchies. He adopted a member of the breed and named it for the city. The name stuck as the name for the breed.

Later in this timeframe, the Mucuchies was crossbred with the Pyrenean Mastiffs that friars brought to the Andes from their monasteries. With them, they also brought the sheep for the dogs to herd and guard. During the 1920s the breed spread throughout the country, but by the beginning of the 1960s there was a major decline in the breed. This was partly due to changes in culture and lifestyle in the Andes.

In 1961 a Mucuchies club was formed for the breed preservation and the breed was formally named the National Dog of Venezuela. The club was disbanded in the mid-1960’s and this led the breed to the edge of extinction. By 2008 there was another major push to save the breed. This effort came from the government who wanted to preserve the breed. In 2008, they created the Fundacion Nevado and sent six Mucuchies to the Waraira Repano Cable Car System in the El Avila National Park so that the dogs would be in a climatic environment as similar to the Andes mountain as possible. This was successful and the program was increased by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

As the breed continued to develop the shepherding instincts were lost and the guarding aspects were strengthened. This left today’s Mucuchies as a breed of gentle, active dogs with strong characters and a loving disposition. They are gentle with their families but protective and aggressive with strangers. They are the only native breed of Venezuela and currently, there are programs in the mountains to re-establish and strengthen them.

In addition to their name for the town of Mucuchie, the breed is also called the Paramo’s Dog or the Snowy. These programs exist because in Venezuela they are near extinction once again. This is the result of inbreeding and more cross-breeding, this time with larger dogs like St. Bernards. Thus, the continued efforts by the Nevado Foundation with the assistance of the government to restore the original Mucuchies breed to Venezuela.

lurcher - historyThe Lurcher is a crossbreed dog that doesn’t seem to have too much certainty around it. There are stories that Lurchers may have been bred to produce a sighthound with more intelligence for hunting.

Hunters discovered that breeding certain breeds with sight-hounds produced a dog better suited for hunting and working purpose.

A Lurcher is a sighthound, a classic working crossbreed and some of the dogs used to bring about this breed were Greyhounds, Deerhounds, Whippets, Border Collies, Bedlington Terriers and Irish Wofhounds among others. This means that the Lurcher has many different looks as well. In the UK, Lurchers have their own shows, but no registry recognizes the dog.

Description

mucuchies puppy - descriptionThe appearance of the Mucuchies is that of a breed of large dogs who stand two feet at the shoulder and can weight one hundred pounds. They have a deep chest, heads that are wedge-shaped and skulls shaped like domes. Their muzzles are straight, and their nostrils are large on their black nose. The Mucuchies have dark eye and eyelids along with ears that are triangular in shape and medium in size. Their lips are black but this and he has a well-developed ruff.

They are large, sturdy dogs with a grand appearance and tremendous energy. Their neck is strong, short and very muscular with wide shoulders and a straight back. The tail is much longer than their hocks and it is shaped like a fan and he raises it when he is alerted. They have a short, thick coat and most are white or white with gray, honey or black. This is a very attractive breed.

lurcher puppy - descriptionIt is difficult to put a size and weight to the Lurcher, This is because of the many dogs used in his development, so that they vary in size and coat type. Generally though, he is a deep chested dog that stands roughly between 50 – 75cm and weighs 25 – 32kg.

However, because Whippet was a dog used in his development, he could be as small as a Whippet, the size of a Greyhound or Deerhound.

Generally he has a shortish coat. Colours of the coat vary greatly so you can find fawn, cream, white, grey, black, tan, silver or grey and bi-colored. The ears are usually small and can be floppy or held erect or back and the tail is usually long.

Temperament:

The Lurcher’s temperament is much like that of the sighthound – loving and calm. It is a good idea to have the Lurcher trained and socialized to help prevent both timidity or aggression.

He is an independent and intelligent dog and can be easily trained. He is a gentle dog and will get on well with children and pets in the home as he is a fairly relaxed breed with a quiet temperament, loving to spend time with his human family. Another advantage is that he is low maintenance and makes a great pet when shown love and care.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

mucuchies dog - characteristicsGood with children and very good with their own families. Might be a little standoffish with others.

Special talents

They no longer have the strong herding instinct but are outstanding guard dogs.

Adaptability

Yes but need land to run in. Don’t put this giant dog in an apartment. You will both be miserable.

Learning ability

Very intelligent and their ability and willingness to learn is very good.

lurcher dog - characteristicsThe Lurcher is a working- and hunting dog that won’t do well in the city, as he requires large spaces to run.

He is a dog that will need you to provide him with games and other activities as well as a walk every day to keep him fit and lithe. He will therefore require an owner who loves to be active and who is consistent, firm, fair, patient and kind.

With the right human family, the Lurcher is a loving, devoted dog who will make an excellent family pet.

Health Problems

mucuchies puppies - health problemsBecause of their rarity and somewhat isolation, they do not have many genetic health concerns. They do however face at least a couple of the issues that most large dogs face.

Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia

This can be a serious issue for such a large dog. It can cause arthritis and lameness.

Accidents

This might be the biggest threat to the Mucuchies’ health. They are big dogs and if they injury limbs it can be quite serious.

Bloat

The distension or inversion of the stomach and intestines is potentially fatal and must be treated immediately. Large dogs are prone to bloat and feeding schedules can go a long way in preventing it.

lurcher puppies - health problemsEvery dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but the way you feed a dog and look after it will play a huge role in his wellbeing.

Lurchers are looked upon as being a pretty healthy dog breed and they can be with you for between 10 and 15 years.

Some of the main health concerns with this dog would be bloat, ear- and eye infections or heatstroke.

Remember that if you’re getting a new puppy, you can prevent some of the major life-threatening diseases by having your puppy vaccinated.

Heat Stroke:

Dogs pant heavily when they’re hot. When the panting isn’t enough, the dog’s body temperature rises and this can be fatal for your pet.

The signs of heatstroke in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, dullness and loss of consciousness. Being locked in a hot car, being over-exercised or left in a yard without shade and water can bring on heatstroke.

It is imperative to remove the dog from the hot place immediately and cool him down by spraying cold water gently over him while making sure no water enters the mouth or nose. Get him to the vet if you can because of shock and the fact that other problems could have developed.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

mucuchies dogs - caringAs mentioned in health concerns, feeding appropriately is critical to the Mucuchies’ health. Puppies need a high quality, large breed dry food 2-3 times per day at ½ cup each time. Don’t overfeed. Don’t exercise before or after eating to prevent bloat.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mucuchies should eat at least twice a day for a total of two and one-half cups. So, you might feed one and ¼ cup at each meal. Again, it is critically important that you don’t overfeed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise and don’t let your Mucuchies eat too quickly in order to avoid bloat.

Points for Good Health

This is a large dog with generally very good health. His stamina and heart will impress you.

Games and Exercises

The Mucuchies is not an active inside dog, but he is a large dog that needs daily exercise. They need to be able to run or at least to trot. A large yard or dog bark is necessary. However, this big, double coated dog hates the hot weather and needs a cooler climate. Winter is fine with him. Don’t overwork them while they are growing. Walks are the best exercise for this breed.

lurcher dogs - caringBrush your pet’s coat at least twice a week.

The Lurcher just loves to run and be free, so this is a dog that will want a long walk every day.

Check his eyes and inside his ears for ear infection. Find out how to clean inside the ears and make sure they are kept dry.

Keep his nails clipped, as long nails can hook and cause painful injury to the paw area. Check his teeth too and brush them because dental disease is the root cause of many other diseases.

Make sure your dog has a comfy, dry, warm place to sleep.

Encourage health and longevity by giving your pet high quality food full of vitamins and minerals. If you’re going be giving him commercially manufactured food, make sure its one of the better ones. Try and add in homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables and add this to his kibble as a tasty treat. Some raw meat added in when you can afford it will also be to his advantage.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Venezuela
United Kingdom
Height Male:
56 - 71 cm
22 - 28 inches
50 - 75 cm
19 - 30 inches
Height Female:
51 - 66 cm
20 - 26 inches
50 - 75 cm
19 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
46 - 61 kg
101 - 135 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
47 - 57 kg
103 - 126 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Paramo's dog , Venezuelan Sheepdog Dog of Páramos ( Snowy (Nevado)
None
Colors Available:
all white or white with spots of other colors
white, grey, cream, black, tan, All colors - fawn, silver or grey and bi-colored
Coat:
short coats smooth, medium-haired double coat
Short- or long haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

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

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds