Caucasian Shepherd Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Height: 25 – 30 “
Weight: 99 – 110lb
Life Span: 10-11 years
Coloring: The Caucasian Shepard can be any solid color, piebald or spotted, except brown, black and liver.
Area of Origin: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, historic Circassia, but mostly Russia
Similar Breeds: Bernese Moutain Dog, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Mastiff

AKA: The Caucasian Shepherds are also known by several other names these include the Caucasian Sheepdog, Caucasian Ovcharkam, Kavkaskaia Ovtcharke, Caucasian Owcharka, Caucasian Mountain Dog, Sage Ghafghaz, Kavkazkaia, Caucasian Ovtcharke, Russian Caucasian Ovtcharka, and Russian Caucasian.

History and Origin:

The Caucasian Shepard originated in the mountains of what used to be the Soviet Union. The mountains, called the Caucasian Mountains, gave the breed its name and its original job as a herder and protector. The breed has been and still is extremely popular in this part of the world and is still working as a herding dog here.

Most of the former Soviet Union including Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia the Northern Caucasian region are still very high on the Caucasian Shepard. These huge dogs were and still are legendary because of their history as protectors and guardians. The breed had its beginnings in the Caucasus Mountains.

A special done by National Geographic declared the breed to be ‘natural’ as opposed to the man-made and specialty, designer breeds being seen today. The history of the Caucasian Shepard is an ancient one. There are several different breeds of Caucasian Mountain Dogs and the breed depends on the geographical region they come from. They are among the oldest living Molosser breeds.

Many of the Caucasian Shepherds and Mountain Dog breeds are considered hybrids of various breeds including some central Asian blood lines. The Russian breed was considered to be superior to all of these other Caucasian lines. The breed has two strains – the working dogs and the show dogs with the preponderance of show dogs in the West.

There is also a strain that was crossed with European Bandogs and Mastiffs. This strain has a tendency to be fighters. This strain is being phased out and replaced with a gentler cross with Newfoundlands. The original Caucasian Shepherd was a guardian of livestock and property. They hunted bears and killed wolves. This dog might appear lethargic when off the job, but threaten his family or his flock and he will instantly be agile, threatening and in action.

The Caucasian Shepherd has few organized clubs or written kennel club standards so that there was much variation in looks and build from one region to another. In the Mountainous regions of Caucasia, between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, and Iran and Turkey, there are flocks of sheep guarded by the Caucasian Shepherd for the past 600 years. Because of this the Caucasian Shepherd is Russia’s most popular sheepdog.

This is an even tempered dog with a large muscular and powerful body until he or his family or flock are threatened. In the 1960’s the breed was exported to East Germany to be used as guard dogs at the Berlin Wall. In 1989 there were 7000 Caucasian Shepherds in the border patrol. They were given to willing families in Germany who could take them in.

Today the Caucasian Shepherd is a show dog and family pet in the west, a bear dog and prison dog in the east. In its homeland of Russia the Caucasian is popular as a police dog; a guard dog, a prison dog. It was widely used in Russia to start other new breeds such as the Russian German Shepherd, the Russian Terrier, the Moscow Dog and the Russian Newfoundland. The Caucasian is aggressive and suspicious of strangers even in the show ring. No matter what its station in life, the Caucasian Shepherd must be socialized, trained and accept that you are the alpha in his life. Once this is accomplished your dog will be among the most loyal of breeds, defending you even up to death. Today the Caucasian Shepherd is classified in the AKC Foundation Stock Service. In this they are not eligible for registration with the AKC but can compete in Companion and Performance Events.

Different regions of the old Soviet Union developed slightly different dogs. The Armenian Caucasian has two types. One larger type has longhair and many colors, while the smaller version is wolf grey with a long muzzle. The Georgian line is heavy, tall and has a wider head. There are two types here also. There are the long haired and short haired versions.

There are four types of Caucasian dogs in Turkey: the Georgian Akhalsikhe, the Garban, the Kars Dog and the Circassian. The Garbon can be a very aggressive and even vicious if left to his own devices. It was bred from the Kars Dog and the Kangal from Turkey. The Garban crossed with the Nagazi was used to develop the Georgian Akhaltsihnske. The Circassian is a cross between the Kangals and the Cherkes. Finally the Kars Dog comes from the Province of Kars in Turkey and is recognized today as a breed of its own. There are other varieties and strains of the Caucasian Shepherd in Iran. One such Iranian strain is black or yellow and black, extremely aggressive, and known as the Wolf Dog. If you have one of these you cannot have another dog.

Personality and Temperament:

The Caucasian Shepard does have a very intense, protective and aggressive temperament. At the same time, this is a very intelligent and loyal breed. They can be stubborn and insolent. If you are not a part of their family they can be very aggressive toward you, other dogs, cats and other pets. Solid training will help to mellow these breed characteristics but you cannot entirely eliminate them.

Because they were originally bred to herd and protect the farmer’s livestock, they were bred to be independent, intelligent, courageous and strong of will. These traits characterize the breed to this day. Under the right circumstances the brave hearted Shepherd will be the hero every time. Under the wrong circumstances, the overly aggressive Caucasian will be the villain.

This is not a breed for the first time dog owner or the timid, non-alpha person. This dog will rule you or worse yet, might even attack you. They absolutely will not make up with people they do not know and strangers should not attempt to approach them.

If however you are “in” as part of his family, the Caucasian Shepherd will protect you with his life. His family will include everyone and everything within his daily life and clan. This will include livestock, people, and other pets of any kind including cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Children and other dogs will also be protected if they are part of the family.

Be careful when your children are playing with other children or other pets in the family and do not leave them unsupervised with your Caucasian Shepherd. If the children play too rough with each other or another pet, the Caucasian may respond in a way that is appropriate for the breed and dangerous for the non-family members or other pets. The Shepherd will defend your children first.

There are lines of this breed that are actually vicious so if you want a family pet make sure your Caucasian does not come from one of these lines. Even if he doesn’t, he will be territorial, aggressive and in need of a firm, dominant leader. If well trained and if well socialized the Caucasian can be a great family dog.

There are breeding programs going on now, mainly in Germany, to breed out the vicious tendencies and breed in a gentler, more amenable dog without losing the guard dog.

Exercise & Training:

Obviously the Caucasian Shepherd is a very large, muscular dog, bearing a lot of weight and strength. This is not an apartment sized dog and its temperament is definitely not suited to apartment life. This large dog not only needs exercise, they need the space. The Caucasian Shepherd was bred to herd and protect sheep and other livestock in a mountainous region. They need space.

They will do well in a family home with a large yard that he can roam. He also must have a job. If you do not give him one he will find one on his own. He will need lots of long walks or games of fetch. Never allow a Caucasian Shepherd to walk in front of you, but should always be made to heel with any human.

Grooming:

The Caucasian Shepherd is a strikingly good looking dog, with his dark, deep-set eyes and ears that are covered with dense hair. His tail is long and feathered; his legs are long and straight, and his paws large and quite hairy. The Caucasian Shepherd has a large, nose and a long, thick, water resistant coat. The thick double coat can be tan, gray, tan, white and brindle. The few registries that accept the Caucasian Shepherd do not allow the colors brown, black and liver.

Within the breed there are two varieties of coats- one is long and the other is short. Both varieties require grooming, but of course the long coat require more attention, much brushing and dealing with the tangles. The tail is long and he carries it low. The length of the coat depends upon the region that the dog comes from.

The Caucasian Shepherd that lives on the plains has the shorter coat and longer legs. They are built more lightly than their cousin from the mountainous regions. The Caucasian Mountain Dog is more muscular, heavily built and with a thicker, longer coat.

The Caucasian Shepherd normally had cropped ears but fewer breeders are doing this today and the breed is acceptable in the ring with natural ears. It was at one time considered necessary for the dog to work successfully in its traditional environment. Black or tan and black members of the breed are not allowed in show dogs.

Health and Wellness:

The Caucasian Shepherd is a breed that for the most part has a history of being healthy, hearty and living for 10-14 years. They are predisposed to some serious issues however. They are well known for being overweight if they are not working and their diet is not regulated. They are prone to hip dysplasia, and some have had heart issues.

There is a very prevalent tendency to have cancer and inbreeding over time has made these tendencies serious health considerations for the breed.

Interesting Facts About the Caucasian Shepherd

All dogs are prey for all wolves with the exception of a breed such as the Caucasian Shepherd. The Caucasian Shepherd is fierce and agile enough to engage the wolf in battle and win the war.
The breed because they are big, lumbering giants, appears to be lethargic and slow. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are aggressive, fast and incredibly intense when aroused.
The Caucasian Shepherd is recorded in the Foundation Stock Service and has been since1996.

Organizations Dedicated to the Caucasian Shepherd

Conclusion

The Caucasian Mountain Dog is a courageous, loyal and intimidating breed. They are clearly “not the dog for everyone”. It is very important that first time dog owners understand how difficult it can be to manage this breed.

They are first and foremost guard dogs. Many species have over time become very removed from what they began as. Not this breed. The Caucasian Shepherd breed started life as a guard dog and they are still a frightfully fierce guard dog today.

The Caucasian Shepherd needs a strong, confident and smart owner that will take the leadership role in relationship to the dog. Only when this type of relationship exists can both the dog and the human be happy and safe with one another. Remember he will defend you to his death if you are his family. He needs that type of commitment and bonding from you as well. If you can offer that then a happy, long term relationship with a Caucasian Mountain Dog may be in your future.