Did you know that there is a breed of moly dogs typical of the Balearic Islands called Ca de Bou ? In Catalan, ca de bou means “bull dog” and it received this name because in the past, this dog was facing bulls in man-made fights, if we can call them that.
Fortunately, today these sadistic and cruel customs are gone and the Ca de Bou is a very good guard dog, super faithful to its owners and very brave.
With a good socialization of a puppy and a good education, the Majorca mastiff will become a pet who will love to spend a lot of time with its family and go for long walks every day because it needs a good dose of physical and mental activity to perform and be a healthy and happy dog.
This dog is the perfect combination of mobility and power. In this dog, strength is in tandem with adequacy, which is very valuable for serious conservation breeds.
Other names
Majorcan Mastiff, Mallorquin Bulldog, Perro Dogo, Majorcan Bulldog, Silverback Mastiff
Ca de Bou photos
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Physical characteristics
The Ca de Bou is distinguished by its strong build and its slightly elongated body format. Dogs impress with their mobility and plasticity – especially for those who see ca de bou for the first time.
The height at the withers and the weight of the animal are fixed by the FCI standard. The growth of males and females reaches 55-58 cm and 52-55 cm, respectively. The difference between males and females is also noticeable in terms of weight: 35-38 kg and 30-34 kg. Sexual dimorphism can be traced not only in the size of the animal: the circumference of the head in females is much smaller than in males.
Distinctive features
- Head: The head is square. The forehead is wide, divided by a noticeable groove. The muzzle is slightly triangular, broad at the base, of length equal to 1/3 of the length of the skull. The profile stop looks sharp, but from the face angle is almost invisible.
- Jaws: The teeth are powerful, strong in a full set. Bite: snack.
- Ears: The ears are pink in shape, high and wide. In a calm state, the rounded tips of the semi-pendulous ears are at eye level or slightly lower. With alertness, the ear tissue straightens and protrudes forward.
- Eyes: The eyes are large, oval, with an oblique slit, with a deep and wide set. Iris color is mostly dark, but may be lighter depending on coat color.
- Frame: The body is slightly elongated, rectangular, muscular. The neck is strong, athletic, in length proportional to the body, in diameter almost corresponds to the diameter of the head. The back is straight with a short, spacious loin and a sloping croup. The chest is massive, oblong. The belly is slightly tucked in.
- Limbs: Legs parallel, wide apart, strong, muscular. The paws are rounded, strong, the fingers are united into a fist. The pads are elastic, slightly pigmented, the claws are powerful.
- Coat: The hairline is hard, short and close-fitting. The undercoat is missing. Brindle, fawn, black and deer color. A dark mask and small white markings are allowed.
Character and behavior
The Ca de Bou perfectly combines the incompatible – great strength and physical endurance with an incredibly tender soul, like a little kitten. Psychologically, he is constantly restrained, calm and incredibly friendly.
For the Mastiff of Majorca, a certain proportion is phlegmatic, so the absence of relatives is tolerated without problem. While the owner is not at home, the dog will simply sleep, calmly and patiently waiting for his return.
The breed shows good guarding qualities, copes well with bodyguard duties. He treats strangers with suspicion, but without hostility, never shows aggression without reason.
With a threat to the life of the owner, the Ca de Bou is unlikely to allow the offender to leave without punishment, the enemy has no chance of winning in an unequal battle.
With children
He loves the company of little ones, plays with a child with pleasure, patiently and condescendingly endures the pushing of children to the side.
With other animals
He is indifferent to domestic cats, may perceive other dogs as territorial competitors, and considers small pets, such as rodents and birds, as prey.
Health
By nature, they are hardy and strong. But, like other animal species, the Ca de Bou has a predisposition to the following health problems:
- Coprostasis is an intestinal disease in which the movement of feces slows down or stops, the dog may die within the shortest time, if measures are not urgently taken.
- Dermatitis is a serious skin disease, accompanied by complications and requires long-term treatment.
- Joint dysplasia – the dog is limping, experiencing severe pain in the first stages, in the last stage the pain becomes intolerable, which is why the animal is immobilized.
- Myocardial infarction is the necrosis of a specific area of the heart muscle.
- Pemphigus is an allergic skin reaction.
- Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons.
- Bursitis – most often occurs in the area of the elbow joint, has a number of complications if the necessary treatment is not carried out in time.
Life expectancy
On average, Ca de Bou can live 10-12 years. But with good genetics, proper maintenance, nutrition and care, this dog lives up to 14-15 years.
Care
The Ca de Bou breed has a short coat that requires little to no brushing. It is enough to comb it once a week. In addition, always keep your pet’s ears and eyes clean and trim the claws in time. Bathe your dog at least once a month.
Exercise
These dogs need a good dose of daily exercise. Daily walks can provide much of this exercise while helping to maintain the socialization of Ca de Bou.
Although they are not very large dogs, they do not adapt well to life in small apartments or in densely populated urban areas, so it is advisable to provide the dog with enough space to live and, it is outside, much better.Fun facts
- In ancient times, this mastiff took part in bullfighting. Their duties included protecting bullfighters and even fighting a bull. Because of this, the breed was called ” Ca de Bou “, which means “bull dog.”
- Majorcan Bulldog is noble in his behavior with other dogs. Such a dog will never attack a small or weak, sick dog.
- The Ca de Bou with surprising accuracy determines intuitively which of the people around him is friend and who is the enemy.
- Majorcan Mastiff is impossible to bribe or persuade, this dog is an ideal guard and watch dog.
- It adapts easily to the climate and is also an excellent pet.
- Its tail is weakly inserted, so its presence is hardly noticeable.
History of the breed
In 1232, King Jaime I conquered the archipelago of the Balearic Islands. With the king, several large strong dogs travelled between Alans and Bulldogs of the Iberian Peninsula. These dogs would give birth to the current ca de Bou.
In 1713, thanks to the Treaty of Utrecht, the Balearic Islands became English colonies. During the English rule on the islands, dog fighting and dog-bull fights, “sports” common in England at the time, were encouraged.
It was at this time that they started crossing the existing dogs on the islands in order to obtain the most suitable fighting dog for the high temperatures of the Balearic Islands. Of course, bulldog dogs and other English moloids were also used at these crosses.
The result was the Ca de Bou. Dog and bull fighting took place not only in sports arenas, but also because butchers used dogs to control and kill cattle. Hence the name of Ca de Bou, which in Catalan means “bull dog”.
Years later. With the return of the Balearic Islands to the Spanish Crown and the prohibition of dogfights, the Majorca mastiff continued to be used as a watchdog and as a butcher ‘s assistant.
Today, the breed is little known outside the archipelago that saw them born, and even in Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands, its population is small.