Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Majorca Shepherd Dog or Ca de Bestiar, the very name Perro de Pastor Mallorquin means Shepherd dog of Mallorca.

The dog hails from Spain and has been used as a general purpose farm dog. The diligent work of fans of the dog to encourage its development were rewarded when the dog - both short- and long haired varieties - gained recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

The dog is really only popular in its homeland where it is appreciated for its guarding and herding abilities.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne from France was introduced to the UK in 1983, and this smallest of the French hounds is rarely seen outside France, and when you do it is in Britain. This French hunting breed belonging to the Hound group in all likelihood descends from the Grand Fauve de Bretagne which is now extinct.

Long ago the dog was used for hunting and there was even a time when it was on the brink of extinction.The breed became very rare but was later bred with the Basset Griffon Vendeen as well as the Wire Haired Dachshund which has resulted in the breed we have today. The first Basset Fauve was imported into the USA in November 2001.

The Perro de Pastor Mallorquin is a large dog which stands between 62 and 73 cm and weighs between 35 and 40kg. Most of them are short haired, ensuring low grooming requirements for the owner. The coat is black, in fact the Fédération Cynologique Internationale says its the only color which is acceptable. He has floppy ears and the tail is long, rising when the dog is on the move.

Temperament:

The Perro de Pastor Mellorquin is a dominant, independent and wilful dog that will need to be trained and socialized if he is to be obedient. He is fiercely devoted to his owner, being loving and protective. This training is actually important as the Majorca Shepherd Dog doesn't take easily to strangers and can in fact show signs of aggression when around them.

It is qualities like this that make him a good guardian and watchdog. With training and socialization he will be able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as with children who have been taught how to respect- and be kind to animals.

He is an active dog too and it is better to have such a dog in the suburbs or the countryside as opposed to living in a small city property.

Wiry, Dense Coat

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a smallish hound, with a long body and deep chest. He is lively and friendly. He is a wire-coated dog, looking similar to a golden cocker spaniel, but his coat is coarse and quite springy and wiry to the touch. He is nimble, he has plenty of courage, he is lively, friendly and amenable. He has short legs, but unlike other Basset breeds, these don’t have that crooked, turned outwards appearance that the Basset Hound has.

The tail is fairly long and held upright when the dog is alert. He has long low-set ears which reach roughly to the end of the nose. The coat is always wheat- or fawn or red in color. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne, also referred to as the Fawn Brittany Basset isn’t quite as low to the ground as the Basset Hound, measuring 32 – 38 cm.

Friendly and Adaptable

Small, stocky and feisty, this rough-coated Basset is energetic, agile and quick and you’ll find that he gets on well with children as well as other pets in the house. Some training and socialization will go a far way to make him an even more super dog than what he is. He’ll make a wonderful family pet and will adapt well to country living as well as living in the city, if he can rely on you to take him for walks.

The Perro de Pastor Mallorquin is a dog known for its devotion to its owner, taking on his role as guardian and protector very seriously.

It is a courageous dog, strong willed and confident and isn't recommended as a first choice of dog for the novice dog owner, although there have been first-time dog owners who bring their dogs up correctly and have tremendous success with them.

Provide your dog with a firm consistent, kind, patient and loving home, and you can also be one of those first-time dog owners who highly recommend this dog as an awesome pet for any household.

Smart and courageous, the Basset Fauve is such a wonderful pet to have in your home. He is gentle, loving and loyal and will adapt to living in the countryside or the city, so long as he is loved, fed well, exercised and given lots of attention.

He was once a serious hunter, but these days he is most content to be friend and protector for his human family.

A dog can live a long, happy life when he has been looked after well. Makig sure he doesn't become obese, giving him enough exercise and loving him can ensure longevity. Your Perro de Pastor Mallorquin can live to be 13, 14 or 15 years of age, but there are always some common dog illnesses to be aware of -

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

This is a disease of the hip where the ball and socket joint isn’t formed properly. The result is a joint that rubs as opposed to sliding smoothly. This is one of the most common skeletal diseases in dogs seen more often in large dogs. The disease can start while the dog is still young and it can lead to osteoarthritis an decreased activity.

Eye Diseases:

One of the eye diseases is when the uvea of the eye becomes inflamed, creating a painful condition known as anterior uveitis or inflammation of the front of the eye.

This disease can threaten your dog’s vision. It is painful with redness of the eye, there could be a discharge too as well as excessive watery eyes. Cancer, infections and injury can all be to blame and your vet will want to examine your dog.

The Basset Fauve is free from inherited health problems in the UK and is in fact one of the hardiest of the Basset group. Like all Basset type breeds, as a dog owner you’ll have to keep an eye on your Basset Fauve as he can develop back problems as he gets older.

When it comes to your Basset Fauve’s health, make sure he gets all his shots, starting from when he is a puppy. Many of the dangerous canine diseases can be prevented with vaccines.

Grooming:

The Majorca Shepherd Dog isn't a heavy shedder but still, he will require some basic grooming such as brushing the coat twice a week to remove loose hairs and to retain his natural shine.

Other care and grooming routines for your pet are to check inside his mouth for dental disease as problem teeth can cause a host of diseases in the body.

Check inside his ears too and make sure they aren't red and itchy as this could be indicative of an ear infection.

Nail clipping is also important as his nails can hook onto things and rip open the flesh around the paw area.

Exercise:

These dogs are lively and energetic, having been used to do lots of work herding and guarding sheep. He isn't a dog to be left in the backyard day after day without human inter-action and exercise. He will require some hectic exercise every day and will love to join you with your jogging or cycling, running beside you. Take him with you on our walks and hikes.

Diet:

Only the best dog food is recommended for this dog of yours. If you intend feeding your pet commercially manufactured food, make sure its the best quality ones – those with protein listed at the top of the ingredient list and with a good amount of vitamins and minerals.

Choose the food according to your dog's size, his age and his energy levels. If you're going to give your pet home-made food, keep it simple to avoid upset stomachs and vet's bills.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked vegetables such as spinach, sweet potato and carrots are wonderful for a dog when added into the kibble occasionally as a tasty treat. You can also try to include some raw meat into the kibble from time to time.

Dog's just want simple, wholesome foods like this, no unpleasant surprises of spicy, 'people foods'. Never leave your pet without a supply of fresh, cool water.

Vaccines:

Take your puppy to the vet to have his vaccines, as the canine parvo-virus (CPV) infection for instance, isn't only a very contagious viral illness that affects dogs, it can be a killer. Keep a check on your adult dog too and see that he gets to the vet at any sign of illness.

Grooming

The Basset Fauve is easy to maintain, and all that is required from you is to brush his wiry coat at least twice a week to remove all loose hairs. Look out for too much hair in the ear passage and remove it. The teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week with a dog toothpaste and brush to avoid plague build-up and the claws should also be trimmed.

Exercise

Daily walks will be imperative for your Basset Fauve as he is an energetic dog and will need regular exercise. Just ignoring his energetic side will make him frustrated, bored and even destructive.

Food

This breed of dog used to hunt small game and so he is lively and energetic. Because of this he will need a high-quality dog food. Always buy the best commercially manufactured dog foods and speak to your vet about the best one, and whether dry- or wet foods would best suit your canine friend. You want to provide your pet with variety, and it is imperative to include some raw- and cooked meat to his regular dog food to ensure he doesn’t battle with an itchy, dry skin.

Dog foods suited to age, activity levels and stage of life can ensure your dog is always energetic, full of life, healthy and happy and not prone to putting on weight. Always ensure that clean, cool water is constantly available to your pet.

If you get a puppy from a reputable breeder, they will tell you what the puppy’s feeding schedule has been. Make sure to stick to the same routine for a while so that your puppy doesn’t have any tummy upsets.