Portuguese Water Dogs, Alaskan Malamute, and the Bullmastiff

Because the dogs in the Working Group were bred mainly for guarding and protecting, the results have led to a selection of very large dogs.  Lesser functions of this group are hunting and pulling.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends that “by virtue of their size alone, these dogs must be properly trained.”

Small: Portuguese Water Dog 17-23 inches, 35-60 pounds.

Appearance:  “A hardy, muscular, medium-sized dog,” the Port Water Dog can have a variety of coats from “flat, wavy and shiny” to “a thick open, curl to a tight curl.”  The website, www.dogbreedinfo.com, is full of great facts on dogs.  Most often seen in black, these dogs can also be brown, white or parti-colored.  Their high-maintenance coat should be professionally groomed and clipped every six to eight weeks, according to Diane Morgan’s The Simple Guide to Choosing a Dog.  Despite the high-maintenance requirement for these dogs, the Port Water Dog’s coat is actually hypo-allergenic in nature and they shed hardly at all.

Profile:  The AKC classifies the Port Water Dog as a “swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina.”  They are obedient and devoted dogs who need a great deal of exercise and attention.  They respond well to obedience training, agility and especially water sports, according to Morgan. 
History:  Originally thought to be brought to the Iberian peninsula by invaders from Russia, the Portuguese Water Dogs, or Cao de Agua (dog of water), were then bred to help the fishermen in coastal Portugal.   These dogs “retrieved broken nets, dove for fish, carried messages between boats and to shore, and guarded the boat for his master in foreign ports.”  The dogs got a share of the fish and money from each fishing venture and once the fishing captains retired, they would rent out their dogs to earn additional income.  The AKC also states that the breed started dying out in the early the 1930s due to technological advances, and if it weren’t for the efforts of a wealthy shipping magnate, Dr. Vasco Bensuade, the Port Water Dog would have been a casualty of progress. 

Family Match:  The Port Water Dog is a good match for families as they are good with children, but they “tend to play very hard,” according to Morgan.  They also choose to bond with one person and can be reserved with strangers.

Medium: Alaskan Malamute 23-25 inches, 75-85 pounds.

Appearance: Alaskan Malamutes have a definite wolf-like appearance.  The dense outer-coat and oily under-coat allow them to tolerate extremely cold temperatures, according to Morgan; however, because of this thick double coat, they are also extremely sensitive to heat.  Another high maintenance coat, daily brushing is recommended, especially during shedding which is seasonally very heavy.  Morgan suggests professional grooming at these high-shed times.  Alaskan Malamutes some in shades of gray, cinnamon, black with white markings, and most rarely, white.  All colors are acceptable in the show ring, but blue eyes will cause a disqualification. 

Profile:  Bred to pull, Alaskan Malamutes demand a lot of vigorous exercise.  They are affectionate and loyal but can be dominant with other dogs of the same gender.  Not a one person dog, the Alaskan Malamute is a pack-mentality dog who loves people.  The breed is not necessarily good with small animals because their prey-instinct is very strong.  Well-mannered dogs when trained, the Alaskan Malamutes can be destructive if left to their own devices.  The dogbreedinfo website accounts of an instance where an Alaskan Malamute destroyed a $15,000.00 living room in less than three hours.  They are also prone to digging and wandering, so a durable fence is a must. 

History:  An ancient breed, the Alaskan Malamute is named after the native Inuit tribe, the Mahlemuits.  These dogs are descendants of the Arctic wolf and were used for the tribe’s transportation of everything from food to supplies.  This breed has been highly valued as sled dogs up to present times.  They are not known for speed so much as for their strength and endurance.  The Alaskan Malamute is distinguished for traveling with Admiral Byrd to the pole, and for starring in Jack London’s books. 

Family Match:  Alaskan Malamutes make wonderful pets but only with experienced and confident owners.  They are good with older kids but not with younger children.  They are social and loyal but not a fan of cats or other small pets. 

Large: Bullmastiff 24-27 inches, 100-135 pounds.

Appearance:  Bullmastiff’s huge stature comes from its breeding of 60 percent Mastiff and 40 percent Bulldog.  Large and powerful are the words used to describe this breed.  The AKC says that the nostrils should be large and broad but not positioned high on the nose as that is a throwback to the Bulldog.   Acceptable colors are red, fawn, and brindle with a black muzzle.  Their coat is very short and easy to maintain. 

Profile:  The AKC states that these dogs were originally bred to move silently and powerfully, to attack and hold poachers without mauling them.   However, they have evolved into being a dependable family breed.  Another dog who needs strong obedience training when young, the Bullmastiff can become aggressive with strangers if not socialized properly.  They are protective and reserved and can fit into any living situation as they tend to become couch potatoes.  Exercise is vital for this dog because they can become overweight quite easily.  Daily walks and two or three smaller meals spread throughout the day are best for maintaining the Bullmastiff’s health. 

History:   Bullmastiff’s were bred in 1800s England, according to the AKC, to maintain large English estates.  The original favored color was a dark brindle which served as camouflage as they pursued poachers.  Known as the “gamekeeper’s night dog,” the Bullmastiff is still used for guarding purposes today.  The Diamond Society of South Africa favors the Bullmastiff as their guard dogs.  In the judging ring, the once popular brindle color has now given way to the lighter “fawn” color. 

Family Match:  Bullmastiffs can make an excellent family pet if they are socialized and trained early.  They need a firm hand but not a harsh one.  They thrive in a family situation with attention and lots of interaction.

Works Cited
Morgan, Diane.  The Simple Guide to Choosing a Dog.
The AKC website
www.dogbreedinfo.com