The Caucasian shepherd , also known as the Caucasoid ovcharka , is sweet and loving to his menage . Weighing up to 170 pounds , this gentle colossus can be suspicious around novel people and requires a consecrated and experienced proprietor with mess of time and attention to give . Caucasic sheepman come in a phone number of color , with coats range from long to curt pelt .
They are also highly sound , which makes uniform training essential , and they require regular example to keep them goodly and prevent boredom .
Appearance
Caucasic shepherdsare prominent whelp , standing 30 inches tall and weighing as much as 170 Egyptian pound . They are a sexually dimorphous breed , meaning you may quickly tell the remainder between a male and a female Caucasic . Male Caucasoid shepherds are bigger , have large heads , are more muscular , and are " often shorter in body " than females , grant to the Caucasian Shepherd Club of America ( CSCA ) .
There are two types of Caucasoid sheepherder : mountain and steppe . The plenty Caucasian sheepherder has a long coat and a larger body mass , whereas the steppe type has a shorter coat and lighter soundbox mass . Depending on the type you choose , your Caucasian shepherd could be ahugely fluffy teddy - bear - looking heel , sport asvelte - await forgetful pelage , or anything in between those two coating types . If you bring home a long - coated Caucasian sheepman pup , he’llrequire daily brushingand you’re able to expect to be dealing with quite a lot of pelt , particularly when the dog hashis yearly heavy shed .
Caucasian sheepherder coloration get over reasonably much the integral spectrum of dog coat colors , and they can arrive withbrindle , piebald , or snowy markings . They have deep - set , dark , and intelligent - looking eye . These spectacular frank are really beautiful and have a proud height that fits their bluff , surefooted , and braw personality .
Julia Shepeleva / Adobe Stock
Temperament
Though their tremendous size can take care a bit imposing , the Caucasian sheepman temperament can be sweet-scented , blue , and affectionate companions to their house , including other kinsfolk pets .
Alan Albrecht , an American Kennel Club - recognized breeder and owner ofAsian Bears LLC , says he fell in honey with the personality of this strain . " They ’re the mostloyal and dedicated dogyou’ll ever meet , " he says . " But that ’s not always a positive trait . Youhave to be a very experienced handlerto own one . "
Caucasoid shepherds are empathetic as well , Albrecht says . They are good at reading your emotion , and they ’re sensitive to getting in fuss . " If you even raise your interpreter to one of these dogs , they ’re exit to spend the next hour or twofollowing you around , almost begging for forgiveness , " he says . " They are very concerned with being disapproved of . "
Evdoha / Adobe Stock
As with all dogs , socializationandtraining from an early ageis key , but Albrecht says this is especially honest with Caucasic sheepman puppies . " You should also take [ Caucasian sheepman breeders ] lot of questions about the agate line their dogs come from and expect for hound that are bred to be household dog or show dogs , " he advises .
But while he ’s gentle and do it with his family , a Caucasian shepherd might be wary and watchful around stranger . Margaret Coffey , DVM , former hospital conductor of theSchool of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University , says if Caucasoid shepherd are treated with erotic love and brought up in a family surround , they can be calm and docile at plate , making great crime syndicate weenie .
When trained and socialized , Caucasoid shepherds can be wonderful andnurturing with the small fry in their families . But , like with all breeds , interaction between Caucasoid sheepherder and kids always demand to be oversee and child should betaught how to right interact with pets .
Jagodka / Shutterstock
Living Needs
Although the ideal animation situation for a Caucasic sheepherder is a home witha braggy argue yard , you may make it play in a small space , Coffey say . " A lot of multitude will say , well , I could n’t possibly have them in an apartment because they ’re just so braggy , " she say . " Often with a larger frump , they really involve a mint less care and aftertheir usage needs are metthey tend to be a petty lethargic . "
Though they do it to tarry around and will adjudicate to be your 170 - British pound sterling circuit dog when at home , a Caucasian shepherd requires a fair amount of regular exercise . This should includegood tenacious walksand roleplay in a fence in G ( if you have one ) . They have right stamina andwill enjoy hiking with you , and they should alwaysbe kept on a triad .
Caucasic shepherds run to get along well with other animals in the house , include cats , but former socialization is key . Because they are so attached to their people , these are not hound who will do well will alone for farsighted full stop ; all they need to do is be close to you .
Kate Ovcharenko / Adobe Stock
Care
Caucasian shepherds come up in unlike coat character , and how intensive the grooming process is will count on whether you go for a short- , medium- , or long - haired potpourri . The long - coated Caucasian sheepman will require day-to-day brush , and Albrecht says they can get mats behind their ears and around their butt that you take to watch for .
" The nice part is that Caucasians are not constant shedder , " he say . " For me , theydrop their coats once a year , though in dissimilar environments they can shed more often than that . So you are n’t constantly get by with dog hair everywhere . "
Caucasian shepherds need theirnails keep trimandears regularly checked and cleanedas well .
As with any dog , peculiarly jumbo breeds , start training earlyand be consistent . Known assmart dogswith an main bar , the Caucasian sheepherder can be difficult to obedience train , though Albrecht says he has set up them comfortable to prepare than other gargantuan breeds . " They ’re very loyal learners , and two of my mixed - strain Caucasians are currently in training to be service pawl , " Albrecht enunciate .
Always treat a Caucasoid sheepman as a fellow member of your family , anduse confident reinforcementfor the best grooming consequence .
Health
Considering their size , the stock has a fairly prospicient life-time of 10–12 age . Caucasoid shepherd areconsidered a healthy breedthat does n’t have any specific issues beyond those that affect most jumbo breed dogs .
These pup are susceptible toelbow dysplasiaandhip dysplasia . They can also beprone to heart problemsand a circumstance calledentropion , where the pawl ’s eyelashes curl in and get centre irritation . These are all things you should talk over with your Caucasic shepherd breeder to retrieve out about the wrinkle of your pup and what screening has been done to avoid these issues .
All giant and large breed owners need toeducate themselves about bloat , a consideration that is hard to spot and life - sullen . Coffey explains this happens when the stomach twists and cuts off the blackguard ’s line supply , send them into shock . " unhappily , by the fourth dimension the dog proprietor gets their click to the vet , it ’ll be too late to economize them , " Coffey suppose . " gratefully , there ’s an easy fix where the stomach is stapled or stitched to the animal ’s organic structure cavity and is no longer able to rotate . " The procedure is something all Caucasic owner should hash out with their vet ; it ’s often donewhen a dog is being spayedorneutered .
History
The Caucasian shepherd is an ancient stock , so old they are first mentioned as being used by Armenian armies in the first C B.C. Originating in the Caucasus Mountains , which intersect Europe and Asia , this breed can be traced back to ancient Balkan sheepdog and Asian mastiffs . Not surprisingly , considering their size and intimidation factor , these dogs were originally bred to guard herds of sheep , stack of domesticize fowl , and home from predators and intruders . They were cover for their size of it , intelligence , loyalty , confidence , and a thick waterproof coat that meant they could hold out even the harsh of surroundings .
First infix as show dogs in Germany in the thirties , the breed has gained popularity in North America in late yr though isstill consider relatively rare . The Caucasian shepherd is not an AKC register breed , but in 1996 the dogs were entered into theAKC Foundation Stock Service , which allows breeders to keep records with the AKC as purebreds and for the frank to contend in AKC Companion events ( obedience , exchange , tracking , andagility ) . breeder hope finally the Caucasoid shepherd will become AKC - pick out , as the dogs are already recognise by kennel club in other countries .
