Similarities and differences of the "five white ones"

Source: J. de Gids, de Hondenwereld. Het blad voor de rashondenliefhebber, 54/3, 1999, 164-171.

Distinguishing the big white sheepdog breeds doesn't only cause non pedigree connaisseurs to dispair, even expert breeders tend to have a lot of difficulties with it. Although there are some minor differences when it comes to appearance, with regard to their every day tasks they are very similar. The white sheepdogs were never the shepherd dogs we usually envision. Most of our sheepdogs are shepherds. They tend the herd along with the

herdsman and make sure that consumer crops for other livestock or men don't end up in the stomachs of the sheep. Next to these shepherd dogs there are also the drovers which drive the cattle along with the shepherd from one place to another, as well as the guardian dogs.

In the mostly ragged mountains, dogs with different qualities were required. There was a need for sturdy guards, guardians of the flock, to make sure that wolves, bears or raiders didn't get a chance. This is where the Pyrenean mountain dog came into action. He would follow the shepherd along with his small Berger des Pyrénées that tended the herd. Especially at night, when flock, shepherd and shepherd dog were asleep, the mountain dog would come into action at slightest scent of danger. The CPMA kept guard over the flock of sheep, cattle or horses both on the plains and in the mountains. The Hungarian Kuvasz was initially some sort of status symbol for his owner. This meant that, at least in the beginning, it was in the hands of the ruling class. It would take some time for him to be used by the plainer farmers as a guardian of the flock. The Slovenký Cuvac tended the herds in de rougher wooded areas of the vast embrachments of the Tatra mountains. The northern part of this mountain range is the place where the Gorals live. They are a mountain people that would use their white Polski Owcarek Podhalanski for the same purpose.

The character of the white breeds is very much alike. They were often expected to work autonomously. Therefore they are very independant, which is not to say that they can't have a good relationship with their bosses. They are however never servile. They aren't everybody's friend. Guarding the flock, their home and their hearth is in their blood. Why there are so many white dogs among the guardian dogs in Europe can only be surmised. The most valid explanation seems to be the extent to which one could recognise a white sheepdog that was involved in a fight with an contesting bear, wolf or lynx. The white fur would distinguish the dog from his mostly otherwise coloured, white opponent.

Cane da pastore Maremmana-Abruzzese

The cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese (CPMA) is one of the so-called "five white ones" (the Chien des Pyrénées, the CPMA, the Kuvasz, the Slovenký Cuvac and the Polski Owcarek Podhalanski). He is the only one that, based on the standard, allows for cut ears, on condition that it concerns dogs of the working type. Another prominent difference is the eye colour. Whereas it usually is a shade of deep brown, the CPMA's eye colour varies from ochre to auburn. The head reminds of that of a white bear. Unlike the other races, the CPMA shouldn't wear his tail above his back line, not even while in action.

According to his race history, the CPMA probably ended up in Italy along with the merchant fleet of the Fenicans, a trading people from the east of the Mediterranean. The Greeks are also mentioned. Other options are that they came out of Asia along with the Roman armies, or originated from Hungary or Italy through the cattle trade. Columella described already in the first century A.D.

During the winter the sheep would stay on the green pastures in Lazio, Tuscany and Puglie. In the summer they would be transferred to the cool and green mountains of Abruzzo and Sibillini. The race takes its name from a part of the Apenines, in the southeast of Rome (Abruzzo) and the lower situated Maremma area to the north of Rome at the border of the Apenines. In both areas several distinctly relative breeds appeared that differed only slightly from each other. This why Italian kynology decided to fuse them to one race. This happened in 1958. Professor Solare wrote the standard. Remarkable is that the standard for working dogs allows cut ears. Dogs without a family tree are still admitted into the pedigree, because working dogs whose owners don't see the use of registering are frequently used to breed. The CPMA is after all a working animal.

In the United States and Australia the CPMA is very much appreciated as a working dog. In the U.S. Maremma's are imported since 1970 to protect herds of sheep against the attacks of coyotes. In England the CPMA often show up at dog showing events. In the Netherlands there is also a considerable population.

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Chien des Pyrénées

Patou, the shepherd dog that was called Lord in white fur by the English, like many white sheepdogs, notably drew the attention of the nobility. That is why there are many anecdotes of noblemen that were protected, saved or otherwise by their brave Pyrenean mountain dog. Because of the close contacts between the French and English nobility, mountain dogs could be found at the English court at an early stage. The result is that mountain dogs have been bred since time immemorial and that they have been regulars at dogshows from the very beginning.

The Pyrenean mountain dog is the only breed of the five white ones that requires a double dewclaw (Hubertus claw). This are two extra and separated toes on both the back legs. This oddity is shared by many a French sheepdog. In contrast to what is often said, not only the French were lovers of this. In Spain also many breeds require the dewclaws. The Norwegian hound, the Lundehund, is even required to have double dewclaws on all four its legs. This multitude sometimes features among the mountain dog as well. Some enthusiasts in France consider this to be a plus. Among the other four white breeds that are mentioned in this article, the dewclaw is a mistake and thus unwanted. This means that the Pyrenean mountain dog can always be recognised.

The form of the skull of the Chien des Pyrénées is breed specific, but in order to recognise it, some deepening of insight into the differences among the white breeds is required. The Pyrenean mountain dog, because of his bear like appearance sometimes also referred to as Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées, is the largest breed when it comes to measurements and weight. It is probably also the breed that is most spread on the face of the earth. His origins are somewhat shady. Suspicions and theories galore however, both merchant contacts in the Mediterranean and sheep trade over land could have introduced the white one of the Pyrenees. Anyhow, the big white one from the Pyrenees has been working there for centuries.

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Kuvasz

A lot has been written about the Kuvasz. The pronunciation of the name by the way is 'koewas', not 'koevasj'. Next to the Pyrenean mountain dog, the Kuvasz is undoubtedly most known in our regions. It is nevertheless remarkable that as of late more and more Tatra dogs (see below) are entered into the pedigree. In shows also, the Tatra is more and more present. All the big white dogs are used in similar weather conditions. The dogs need therefore meet the same demands.

Apart from the tribes that entered Central Europe during the first centuries of our era and that had their roots in the remote areas behind the Kaukasus, it were the Magyars and Hungarians themselves who settled there at the end of the 9th century. Later on, in the thirteenth century a Turkish people, the Kumans, followed. Along with their cattle they brought their dogs. These dogs had an influence on the current dog stock. The Hungarian ruling class was undoubtedly charmed by the impressive Kuvasz. The story goes that one of the most prominent Hungarian kings, Mathias I (1458-1490) held the Kuvasz. This story is eagerly enforced by the kynology. A big white Kuvasz is in any case whithout a doubt a royal present. That its also was used for hunting is less known, although other sheepdog breeds are known to be used for the chase of black boar.

The Kuvasz is bigger than his Hungarian and Polish nephews. His head is very noble and distinct. Graceful and distinctly stretched. The breed typical waving fur shows whirlings in the hair that are caused by many crests. These assume an appearance of cut waves. The slate coloured skin is a very pronounced characteristic. The tail is somewhat up bent but doesn't show a curl at all.

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Slovenský Cuvac

With regard to the Cuvac, pronounced as 'sjoevatsj', the Slovak kennel club mentions a totally divergent origin compared to most of the other white breeds. According to the comparative scientific study of the skeletons of current dogs and those of the past, the Cuvac is related to the white polar dogs.

The Goths and the inhabitants of Pommeren alledgedly drove their cattle from the south part of Sweden towards the southern parts of Europe. According to this opinion, the accompanying dogs and Pommeran sheepdogs are at the very cradle of the Cuvac.

At the beginning of the century many dogs were exported to Poland and Germany. Professor Antonin Hruza selected dogs from the remains and started breeding the Tatra Cuvac, later known as the Slovenský Cuvac. The first litter was registered into the pedigree in 1929. Four years later a breeders' association was established. In 1947 already, Hruza wrote a breed monography on the Slovak sheepdog. International recognition from the FCI only followed in 1965. Since 1994 there has been an international federation of Cuvac clubs. There are many similarities with the Kuvasz and even more with the Tatra dog. Despite what was said above, this isn't all that peculiar. The populations live relatively close to each other and with regard to their working tasks there are also but a few differences.

The minimum size of the Cuvac makes him the smallest of the five white breeds. Although the standard remains vague when it comes to weight, some publications do give an indication. The Slovenský Cuvac has a finer build than a Tatra or Pyrenean mountain dog. Like the Tatra, the standard states that the dog can only be white, although a yellowish shine at the start of the ear is allowed. Unlike his Polish and Hungarian neighbours that require a somewhat flat rib, the Cuvac has a wide chest with arched ribs. He distinguishes himself from the Kuvasz when it comes to his fur. The stop in the head however has more of a resemblance to the Kuvasz than to the Tatra dog.

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Polski Owcarek Podhalanski (Tatra dog)

The Polish and Slovak white both have their roots in the Tatra mountain range. The official name of the Tatra dog, the Polski Owcarek Podhalanski, means as much as sheepdog of Podhale. Podhale is a region at the base of the mountains. Like the CPMA, a large share of the population isn't registered. Here also, farmers think it unnecessary, despite the fact they are very proud of their dogs. Kynology had commenced to register the dogs even before World War II. Acts of war saw all the work destroyed. Only many years later the courage was found to start over again.

The size of the Polski Owcarek Podhalanski doesn't provide a convincing difference with the very much related Cuvac, although the indicated weight is. This implies that the Tatra is sturdier in appearance than the Cuvac. It is only logical that the Kuvasz, which may be a lot bigger than the Tatra based on the indicated weight in the standards, has a more refined appearance than the Tatra. it is the only breed that doesn't tolerate any other colour or even shade besides white. Next to the Pyrenean mountain dog it is also the only one that is allowed pincer teeth. Apart from this he is the only one that requires a clear (not heavy) stop. Next to the big white watching dog, the Poles have a small shepherd that is capable to guard the sheep at full trot: the Polski Owcarek Nizinny.

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