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caucasian shepherd breeds

Caucasian shepherd breeds of dogs

About

Caucasian  Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs - the small Known Giant That Resembles The Dog's Distant Cousin, The Bear!

The Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs also referred to as the Caucasian Ovtcharka is an ancient breed that for hundreds of years was little known outside the remote regions from which it hails, namely the Caucasus which incorporate: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Dagestan, Iran, and Turkey. 

The Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs or Ovtcharka (in Russian Ovtcharka means shepherd or sheepdog) may be a member of the working party of dog breed and despite its appellation of sheepdog/shepherd, this dog was never a livestock herder but rather a guardian or protector which matches an extended way in explaining its not inconsiderable size! 

The Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs were bred to guard livestock against wolves, bears, and other predators; actually, the Caucasian Ovtcharka has an uncanny resemblance to a bear!

Considered until fairly recently by many to be a descendent of the Tibetan mastiff, updated archeological evidence suggests that its ancestry originated from ancient dogs that lived within the woody hills of Iraq and Mesopotamia.

 it's believed that assorted dog types that accompanied nomadic tribes that settled within the Caucasus regions, with little intervention and interference from outside influences, eventually evolved into the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs.

Up until the 1930s, the Caucasian Ovtcharka was little known outside its home territory until it started appearing in European dog shows in Germany. 

Around 1952 the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs were sub-divided into two distinct breeds: the Transcaucasian Ovtcharka which is usually the heavier-boned, massive dog that hails from the mountainous regions; and therefore the Caucasian Ovtcharka, the less heavily built type that originates from the steppe regions.

In 1976 the 2 sub-breeds were consolidated and reclassified together breed, and lately, the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs are predicted to evolve to one standard. 

Be that because it may, however, the varied sub-breeds can still be differentiated regionally from the varied territories of the previous USSR, and nowadays one among the foremost coveted sort of Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs is that the so-called Georgia sub-breed which is characteristically a thick-coated, heavy-boned, massive dog that the majority closely resembles a bear.

The potential of the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs the maximum amount quite a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) was quickly realized by the now-defunct Soviet Army and shortly enough this dog breed was employed both during peace and wartime as auxiliary military "personnel" within the expanse of the Soviet Union. 

within the late 1960s, the Caucasian Ovcharka was widely introduced to East Germany specifically for patrol duty, foremostly to patrol the infamous Berlin Wall. 

When the Berlin Wall came toppling down in 1989, the by-then, a minimum of the 7000-strong unit of Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs employed to patrol the Wall's perimeter was disbanded and lots of of these dogs found new homes within the newly emancipated civilian population!

Temperament

This dog breed was developed to protect flocks and livestock and hence features a strong inherent guardian/protector trait. 

very much like a Border collie family dog will tend to herd its family as a substitute flock of sheep, the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs will tend to be somewhat protective of its immediate family, a characteristic that has obvious benefits but perhaps less obvious consequences. 

The Caucasian Ovcharka may be a strong-willed (some might say stubborn) breed of dog that needs a firmer hand for correct socialization and training. 

The so-called stubborn nature of this dog type isn't surprising when one considers that it had been bred over many years for these exact qualities.

This dog was bred to largely exist independent of humans (except for its shepherd) and was bred to co-exist with the livestock it had been guarding; thus the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs is inherently wary of strangers be they people or animals. 

Unsurprisingly, the Caucasian Ovtcharka is most active in the dark (livestock predators tend to hunt under the duvet of the night) and though it's going to give the impression that it is a big lazy dozing dog, at the slightest hint of intruders the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs will nimbly get to its feet, sound the alarm (barking) and immediately attend confront the threat!

The Caucasian Ovcharka takes the protection of its territory (these days consider that the family yard) very seriously and can consider any encroachment by a stranger as a threat. 

Despite its formidable size, this dog is characterized by the utilization of minimal force to dissuade any threat. 

Such minimal force may likely take the shape of confronting the predator and barking and growling aggressively; usually, that's enough to vary the minds of most intruders because very similar to its wild Canid counterparts, this old dog breed still retains the mindset that physical (or deadly) force should be a final resort since it tends to be counterproductive (i.e., injury to either party).

Any Good With Kids?

As previously noted this dog breed tends to substitute its immediate family for the livestock it had been selectively bred to protect; in other words, this dog is strongly protective of members of its family. Hence it's important to know that this dog could perceive rambunctious or rough child's play between a loved one and a lover (as is that the tendency with boys) to be a threat and its hardwired protect-the-flock genetics will immediately kick in!

Thus it's vitally imperative to properly socialize this dog breed and also inform your kids that simply because they know that "Shaggy" would never hurt them, they ought to understand that an equivalent might not choose their friends unless the dog knows them well (i.e., has accepted them as an extension of its flock). 

Obviously, with a dog this size all activity around young children should be supervised because though the family pet might not intend harm, it is a big dog that in the warmth of play may easily forget its formidable strength and size and will accidentally hurt a young child!

The Question Of Apartment Dwelling?

By and enormous the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs don't make the perfect apartment dweller. 

Although like most big dogs its energy state is somewhat low this dog breed is inherently nocturnal and was bred to alert and warn of and off intruders. 

In other words, your love for your Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs could well translate into hatred from your neighbors because your Caucasian Ovcharka is driving them crazy with its nightly cacophony (barking...which is particularly true if your neighbors are creatures of the night aka party animals).

Interactivity With Other Dogs

From a genetic viewpoint, the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs were never bred to be overly friendly with other canids be they dogs or wolves, because as a flock guardian it might are expected to keep off all potential predators which naturally would have included feral dogs. 

However, like most any breed of dog timely and proper socialization usually overcomes any unfriendliness towards other dogs or animals during this breed!

Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs Standard

Currently, there appear to be conflicting breed standards which might be partially explained by the various sub-breeds and therefore the late acceptance of this breed into the AKC; as of now, this dog breed has no AKC ranking. 

Only recently has the AKC moved to officially recognize this dog breed (May 2007) albeit the Caucasian Ovcharka has been on record with the FSS (Foundation Stock Services) since 1996. From January of 2008, the Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs are going to be allowed to formally compete within the AKC Companion Events.

Size Requirements:

The following height measurements are for the mature dog and are measured up to the scapula.

Height of Males: 25.5 - 30 inches (64cm - 70cm)

Height Females: 24.5 and upwards

Weight of Males: 100lbs + (45kg - 70 kg)

Weight Females: 80lbs + (37kg - upwards)

It should be noted however that for the Kavkazskaya Ovcharka Breed (the Georgian Caucasian Mountain Dog sub-breed that the majority closely resembles a bear) the requisite dimensions differ considerably:

Height of Male: 28.3 - 29.5 inches (72cm - 75cm; minimum is 68cm or 26.8 inches)

Female Height: 26.0 - 27.2 inches (66cm - 69cm; minimum is 64 cm or 25.2 inches)

Naturally, the load of the Kavkazskaya Ovcharka Breed will tend to be somewhat heavier and it's commonplace for males to top 180lbs!

The Caucasian Mountain shepherd breeds of dogs fall under the category of Working Dogs as a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD).