Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison

Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Mudhol Hound - Breed ComparisonRafeiro do Alentejo is originated from Portugal but Mudhol Hound is originated from India. Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Mudhol Hound are having almost same height. Rafeiro do Alentejo may weigh 33 kg / 73 pounds more than Mudhol Hound. Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Mudhol Hound has almost same life span. Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Mudhol Hound has almost same litter size. Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Mudhol Hound requires Moderate maintenance.

History

rafeiro do alentejo - historyKnown also as the Portuguese Mastiff, the Rafeiro do Alentejo comes from Portugal and has always been used as guardian for livestock. Their numbers declined quite a bit when there was no longer a need for this kind of job.Today it is essentially a companion dog.

The official standard of the Rafeiro do Alentejo was established in 1953. The dog is is recognized as a breed by the Portuguese Caniculture Club as well as the Federation Cynologique Interationale.

mudhol hound - historyThis seems to be the breed of many names. The Mudhol Hound comes from India and has been called the Caravan Hound, the Pashmi, the Karvanit, the Karwaani and the Pisuri Hound. Like so many other Indian breeds, the Mudhol Hound bears a strong look of the Greyhound. He is a sight hound and as such is lean and fast. He is ancient, healthy and loves his people.

The ancestors of the Mudhol include the hounds bred by the tribes of Bedar near Mudhol and Halagali. In Maharashtra the Maratha warriors were also breeding hounds which are included in the Mudhol Hound lineage. It is believed that there is Tazi and Saluki heritage in the Mudhol as well.

All of these Indian hounds were good at guarding, hunting and as companions. Then the King of Mudhol began to breed them specially for hunting and succeeded in developing a sleek, slender dog. The King of England at the time, George V, was so impressed he dubbed them the Hounds of Mudhol.

The Mudhol Hound hunts rabbits and other small animals with their incredible sight. No matter if the breed was on a postage stamp in 2005 and is a great family companion, it is first and foremost a working dog. He was specifically bred for the tough working conditions in the mountains of India. They are courageous, loyal and graceful. They are committed to their people but a little standoffish with anyone else and make good guard dogs.

They were used by the Indian Army as border protection and surveillance dogs. They use them for testing of their veterinary corps. They have been deployed by the Army in Kashmir and Jammu in 2017, just as they were centuries ago. They were effective at taking down soldiers and horses alike.

They were also chosen for breeding at the Canine Research and Information Centre, part of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University in Bidar. With a very high prey drive they can get along with other dogs their size but cannot be trusted with smaller pets.

The Indian National Kennel Club lists them as the Mudhol Hound while the Kennel Club of India recognizes them as the Caravan Hound.

Description

rafeiro do alentejo puppy - descriptionThe Alentejo is a large dog standing at between 64 and 75cm in height and weighing 45 to 60kg. He is a powerful dog with a deep chest, dark eyes, floppy ears. His coat is short to medium length, thick and straight. The color of the coat is a mix of fawn, a wolf grey, white, cream and black.

Temperament:

This is a serious dog with a calm demeanour about him. It doesn’t matter how calm he is though, as every dog will require training ad socialization if you want to enjoy having an obedient, well mannered dog around you. This is particularly important with a large, independent, self-confident, territorial dog like this.

He isn’t an aggressive dog but he is protective, wanting to guard and look out for his human family. They are dogs that get on well with children and other pets in the home, being wary of strangers.

They’re not recommended for life in small properties in the city as he requires a large garden at least.

mudhol hound puppy - descriptionThe Mudhol Hound is a good looking sight hound. Slender, sleek, muscular. They have narrow, long heads with a muzzle that tapers. They have long and powerful jaws with a large black nose. Their eyes are oval, large and brown with a look that pierces, and they have long, muscular, and clean shoulders. The legs are straight, long and strong with a broad, muscular, long back. Like most sight hounds when you seen them coming at you straight on, they have the appearance of being one dimensional.

There are two types of coat and many acceptable colors. The coat can be silky on the tail, legs and ears or it can be completely smooth from head to toe. The coat can be grey, black, cream, red, fallow, and fawn. It can also be one of these colors and a small amount of shite blended it.

Characteristics

rafeiro do alentejo dog - characteristicsThe Rafeiro do Alentejo is a quiet dog, but intelligent and strong-willed. Training and socialization will make him easy to get on with.

He will become an excellent companion, and can come indoors because he is well mannered and considerate. He was bred to be a guard dog, and the responsibilities he had taking care of livestock has been transferred to looking out for- and protecting his human family.

He makes a wonderful pet and companion, even with children and other pets, more so when brought up correctly by loving, firm, consistent dog owners.

Children friendliness

mudhol hound dog - characteristicsYes but they are much better with older children.

Special talents

Speed and stamina

Adaptability

They can adapt but they are better off in the country than an apartment.

Learning ability

They are very smart and learn easily.

Health Problems

rafeiro do alentejo puppies - health problemsThe Rafeiro do Alentejo is a generally healthy dog breed, and with good care can get to 11, 12 or 13 years of age.

Of course with a large dog like this, it is always a good idea to be aware of canine hip dysplasia, particularly because this is a large dog with a deep chest.

This makes him also vulnerable to bloat, a condition where the stomach swells with gas and which can be life threatening. Other things to watch for are ear infections and parasites.

mudhol hound puppies - health problemsLike so many of the old breeds raised in a lot of isolation, the Mudhol is a very healthy breed. There are no genetic illnesses and they have a long line of dogs able to deal with the weather in India and avoid any sickness. However, they do have a few conditions they are prone to.

  • Skin susceptible to burns and cold as the Mudhol does not have any fat layers.
  • Marasmus – a liver condition in which the food eaten is not absorbed. The dog can eat a lot and not gain weight.
  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – can cause arthritis or lameness.
  • Eye Issues such as cataracts and luxation of the lens.
  • Prone to ear infections.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

rafeiro do alentejo dogs - caringMake your grooming time with this serious, calm canine friend of yours a special bonding time. His coat simply requires a brush twice a week to keep it healthy and shiny.

While bushing him, run your hands over him to make sure there aren’t any unusual lumps. Check inside the floppy ears to make sure they’re not red which could be the start of a painful ear infection.

Look a his nails and trim them if they’ve become too long. Check inside his mouth and make sure there aren’t any black, rotten teeth as this can seriously impact the health of your pet.

Exercise:

Options for exercise will include long walks and a chance to run off his leash. In the back yard it will be to his benefit to throw balls for him to fetch. You can even bring him indoors and play some calm games with him. He should have exercise every single day.

Diet:

Good food is needed for good health. It is always convenient to make use of the commercially manufactured dog foods there are on the market.

You don’t want to feed this to your dog day after day so provide your pet with some tasty home-made food too. Dogs want simplicity and consistency with their diets so they don’t battle with upset stomachs and an unnecessary trip to the vet.

Some home-cooked food twice a week and added to the dry kibble can keep him healthy and happy. Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be perfect for him. Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble once or twice a week.

Some people even cook it in bulk, refrigerate it and warm up small portions to add to the kibble. Raw meat added in occasionally can also be a good treat. Make sure your pet is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Feeding the puppy

mudhol hound dogs - caringThe Mudhol puppy needs a high quality dry food. They should eat three to four times a day in smaller portions. A total of 3 to 3.5 cups per day.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mudhol should eat about two and a half cups of high quality dry food twice a day. Do not overfeed the Mudhol and don’t let him run right after eating.

Points for Good Health

Outstanding speed and stamina

Games and Exercises

This is a high energy, active dog that needs a lot of space and exercise. She needs to be able to run freely as long as she wants at least a couple times a day. He has incredible endurance and a very high prey drive. They must be in a fenced area unless on a leash. They are great at lure coursing, fly ball and agility.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Portugal
India
Height Male:
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
66 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
20 - 27 kg
44 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
16 - 23 kg
35 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
6 - 9
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Portuguese Mastiff
Karwaani, Karvani dog Pashmi, Caravan Hound, Pisuri Hound
Colors Available:
Fawn, cream and black. , white, a wolf grey
red, black, and grey or with white patches, cream, fallow, fawn
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
2 types - silky and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Courageous, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Rafeiro do Alentejo - Breed Comparison
  2. Sarplaninac vs Rafeiro do Alentejo - Breed Comparison
  3. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  5. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  6. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  7. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  8. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  9. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  10. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  11. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  13. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  14. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  15. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  16. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  17. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  18. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  20. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  21. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  22. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  23. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  24. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  25. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Saluki vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Rajapalayam vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison
  29. Mudhol Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Mudhol Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Mudhol Hound vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  32. Mudhol Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Mudhol Hound vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  34. Mudhol Hound vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Mudhol Hound vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  36. Mudhol Hound vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  37. Mudhol Hound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  38. Mudhol Hound vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Mudhol Hound vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  40. Mudhol Hound vs Otterhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Mudhol Hound vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Mudhol Hound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  43. Mudhol Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  44. Mudhol Hound vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  45. Mudhol Hound vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. Mudhol Hound vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  47. Mudhol Hound vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  48. Mudhol Hound vs Polish Hunting Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Mudhol Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  50. Mudhol Hound vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds