Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison

Tibetan Kyi Apso is originated from China but Moscow Water Dog is originated from Russia. Both Tibetan Kyi Apso and Moscow Water Dog are having almost same height. Tibetan Kyi Apso may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Moscow Water Dog. Both Tibetan Kyi Apso and Moscow Water Dog has almost same life span. Tibetan Kyi Apso may have less litter size than Moscow Water Dog. Both Tibetan Kyi Apso and Moscow Water Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

tibetan kyi apso - historyThe Tibetan Kyi Apso is an ancient rare breed. In fact, it is one of the rarest breeds on earth. Coming from Tibet, the Kyi Apso guarded livestock and homes for the nomads of the “rooftop of the world”. Apso means bearded and Kyi meand dog thus the Kyi Apso is a bearded dog.

This breed is very intelligent with a great personality and charm. In Western countries the breed is called Apso Do-Kyi or the Tibetan Collie. The first time these dogs are mentioned in any kind of documents was the late 19th and early 20th centuries in writings about Central Asian dogs. The Kyi Apso is related to the Tibetan Mastiff.

The breed is known to have been imported by Captain George Augustus Graham as a Tibetan wolf dog. The dog was also known to be owned by the 13th Dali Lama. There have not been many exported to Europe or North America, with the first coming to North America in the 1970’s.

There have been no registered litters since 2000 and the Tibetan Kyi Apso Club closed in 1999.

The Moscow Water Dog was developed in the Soviet Union around the same time as other classic Soviet dogs. The Moscow Watchdog and the Black Russian Terrier are a couple of these other dogs. The Water Dog came from crossing the Caucasian Oytcharka with the Newfoundland. The breed is known by many names including the Vodolaz which means “diver of deep Water”. The Moscow Water Dog was only bred in the Russian state’s Red Star Kennels as working dogs for the military.

Following the second World War, most of the working dogs had been destroyed during the war. Not enough dogs could be imported to begin a breeding program for any working breed. So, the Soviet Red Star Kennels began to create several working breeds. Included in this group with the Moscow Water Dog, were the Moscow Newfoundland, the Moscow Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Brudasty Hound.

The only really successful breed coming from this program is the Russian Black Terrier. All the rest are either extinct or found only in Russia today. The Moscow Water Dog was supposed to be a life saver/water rescue dog, but the dogs they developed were too aggressive, and the program was scrapped. It seemed that the cross had bred a dog that had too much of the working water dog traits and not enough of the rescue dog traits. The military breeders tried to pass the dogs off as a Russian Newfoundland and sell it to the non-military.

These non-military owners of the few “Russian Newfoundland”, did not try to change the dogs through breeding. Instead over time they bred the Russian Newfoundland with pure bred Newfoundlands almost eliminating the “Russian” portion of the breed. By the early 1980’s the stock had been so diluted with the pure Newfoundland that the Russian Newfoundland was basically extinct.

The Red Army kennel had other breeds with some of the genes of this breed in their lines. This included the Brudasty Hound, the Moscow Great Dane, the Caucasian Oycharka, the Moscow Watchdog and the Russian Black Terrier. The Russian Navy was unhappy with the situation and never again let the army developed the Navy’s waterdog.

Description

Description

tibetan kyi apso puppy - descriptionThe Tibetan Kyi Apso is a large dog with a bearded face, full coat and curled tail. They have longer hair than the Mastiff and of course the shaggy, bearded muzzle. It is not as hefty as the Mastiff of course, and he is more athletic. Like many primitive dogs before them, the Kyi Apso comes into heat only one time a year, contributing to the rareness of the breed.

With their bearded face, the breed’s head appears bigger than it is. The ears are shaped as a V and skull is flat with the eyes on the outside of it. Their muzzle looks larger than it is due to the beard. Nose and lips are black, eyes are amber and almond shaped.

The coat is double, sheds odors and molts once a year. The coat can be black and tan, shades of red, blue-gray with white and solid black.

The Moscow Water Dog was intelligent, vigilant, an excellent swimmer, and great in artic waters. However, he was too aggressive and instead of saving the swimmer, they would attack them. The Moscow Water Dog is a tall, balanced and powerful dog. They have a wide muzzle and a square head like the Newfoundland. Their eyes are dark and small while the ears are triangular. The nose and lips are black. He has webbed feet of course and a hanging tail.

The coat on the Moscow Water Dog was of course waterproof and double. The top coat is very dense, straight and soft. It is usually a dark brown with some black and white.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness - under the right circumstances never sneak up on them

2.Special talents - exceptional agility and fast starts

3.Adaptability – large dog not good for apartment life. Need large yard

4.Learning ability – intelligent and trainable but stubborn.

Children friendliness

yes

Special talents

Swimming and stamina

Adaptability

Yes but needed some land. Better in countryside.

Learning ability

This is an intelligent dog, but he could not be trained out of his aggressiveness.

Health Problems

Hip dysplasia: Can cause lameness and arthritis.

tibetan kyi apso puppies - health problemsBloat: Fatal unless treated immediately by a vet. Common to this size dog and can be controlled by eating habits.

Elbow dysplasia: Just like hip dysplasia can cause lameness and arthritis.

Other than these the Tibetan Kyi Apso is an ancient dog and very healthy as they were mostly isolated and did not interbreed. No genetic predetermined health problems.

Because the breed was around for such a short period there is not a lot of documentation or information regarding genetic or propensity health issues. There are however a few issues that just his heritage and Newfoundland blood would lend itself to.

  • Tendency toward obesity. Do not free feed.
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – could lead to arthritis.
  • Bloat or gastric torsion – could be fatal.
  • Cardiovascular issues.
  • Addison’s Disease
  • Hypothyroidism

Caring The Pet

tibetan kyi apso dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – grow quickly don’t overfeed. High quality large breed puppy food and feed 4 small meals a day.

2.Feeding the adult – don’t over feed and don’t feed right before or after exercise due to the possibility of bloat. Feed high quality adult large breed dog food 2 x day in smaller meals.

3.Points for Good Health – ancient breed generally healthy

4. Games and Exercises - enjoys running, luer chasing,

Feeding the puppy

Required high quality food made specifically for large or giant puppies. Feed 3-4 times a day a total of 21/2 -3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Required high quality food made for large or giant dog breeds. Feed twice a day a total of 2 cups.

Games and Exercises

The Moscow Water Dog did not need a high level of exercise, but they did have a lot of stamina. They loved to swim. Not overly active – more of a couch potato.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
China
Russia
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
64 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
45 - 55 kg
99 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
8 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 12
Size:
Large dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Apso Do-Kyi Tibetan Collie
Moscow River Dog, Московский Водолаз, Moscow Vodolaz, Moskovsky Vodolaz, • Russian Newfoundland,Moscow Diver, Vodolaz, Moscow Retriever,
Colors Available:
Any coat color is permitted; Black and tan, golden, mahogany and chocolate are also found and are equally acceptable , and black and silver are the most common colors. Multi-colored coats (more than two colors) are also acceptable.In Tibet, black and gold,black with a white chest spot, white
dark brown to black, black
Coat:
long and full erect tail
double coat
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Protective, Stubborn, Territorial
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Intelligent
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Spanish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Moscow Water Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Moscow Water Dog vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Moscow Water Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  8. Moscow Water Dog vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  9. Moscow Water Dog vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  10. Moscow Water Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  11. Moscow Water Dog vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Moscow Water Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Moscow Water Dog vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  14. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Burmese vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Nebolish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Scottish Deerhound vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Shiloh Shepherd vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Moscow Water Dog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  20. Moscow Water Dog vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  21. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  22. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  23. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  24. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  25. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  26. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  27. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  28. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  29. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  30. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  31. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  32. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  33. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  34. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  35. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  36. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  37. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  39. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  40. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  41. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  42. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  43. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  44. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds