Courageous and strong, these dogs have guarded the herds on roller coasters for centuries. It is a very old breed of dog and that is why these shepherd dogs were very popular with the Russian peasants with whom they lived. Also, did you know that this is one of the dogs with the strongest and most powerful bite of all? That's why they were the favorite to protect the herds from possible predators.
The Caucasian Shepherd belongs to the group of Molossian dogs, characterized by a robust appearance, more or less large, and a powerful jaw.You want to know more ? In this article from PlanèteAnimal, we are going to tell you everything about the Caucasian Shepherd breed and we will tell you everything you need to know about it, its origin, its physical characteristics and the care it needs!
Happy reading!
Origin
- Europe
- Russia
FCI Nomenclature
- Group II
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Giant
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 45-100
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Strong
- Very loyal
- Active
- Affectionate
- Dominant
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- Shepherd
- The guard
- Sports
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Long
- Smooth
Origin of the Caucasian Shepherd
Traditionally, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, whose original name is kavkazkaya ovtcharka, was used to guard mountain herds and the houses of peasants and shepherds.This molosser-type dog appears in documents dating back to the 1st century BC. Thus, the breed we know today is the result of selection carried out by Russian peasants for many years, because they all wanted have the strongest and bravest dogs to protect their herds from predators.
There are several breeds originating from the Caucasus region. We must therefore distinguish Caucasian Shepherds from the South Russian Shepherd.
Physical characteristics of the Caucasian Shepherd
Caucasian Shepherds are large dogs and males weigh at least 50 kg while females slightly less (45 kg). Their height at the withers also varies according to sex, in females it is at least 64 cm, the normal being 67-70 cm and it is at least 68 cm in males, with maximums that are between 72 and 75 cm. Thus, it is possible to consider the Caucasian Shepherd as a giant dog.
If we continue with the characteristics of the Caucasian Shepherd, we see that his body is harmonious and of balanced proportions, with a broad chest and muscular, straight and very balanced limbs. Its tail is high inserted and sickle-shaped and it stands up if the dog is on guard. Its head is well proportioned and characterized by pronounced cheeks and a broad muzzle with a black nose. His eyes are medium sized and oval in shape, with brown tones. Its ears are droopy, medium in size and triangular in shape. If his ears were once amputated, this cruel practice is now prohibited.
The Caucasian Shepherd's coat is about 5 cm long, with a woolly undercoat, which should not exceed this length. This coat provides good insulation against the harsh climate of the Caucasus mountains. All colors are accepted for Caucasian Shepherd colors.
Caucasian Shepherd Puppy
Identifying a Caucasian Shepherd puppy is usually not complicated, as they are large in size from a young age. They are also rounded in shape and have a fluffy coat that gives them the appearance of a small bear cub.
Caucasian Shepherd Character
Famous for his bravery, the Caucasian Shepherd is fearless and will confront anyone who dares to enter his territory or harm his people. This can make him territorial and dominant, but you will need to train him well to avoid any possible behavioral issues.
On the other hand, the Caucasian Shepherd is very attentive and affectionate and is a faithful companion who will not hesitate to show his devotion and adoration to his human companions. He also tends to have great respect for his human companions and gets along very well with children and other animals.
Caring for a Caucasian Shepherd
The Caucasian Shepherd is a very active and energetic dog, so it is necessary to provide them with the hours of exercise they need. Thus, as part of the essential care of the Caucasian Shepherd, it is necessary to make him play sports, such as running or show jumping. In addition, mental stimulation should not be neglected either. If you cannot provide this type of stimulation, we do not recommend that you adopt a dog of this breed.
On the other hand, as the Caucasian Shepherd tends to be suspicious of strangers, it must be socialized so that it learns to interact properly with other people and animals. Otherwise, walks won't be as pleasant as they should be, as he might bark at strangers if he feels threatened. This is why the socialization of the Caucasian Shepherd puppy is essential.
While continuing with basic care, don't forget about brushing, as this is a dog with super bushy and rather long fur.Therefore, the Caucasian Shepherd must be brushed at least once a week to keep his coat detangled and shiny. To promote the condition of the coat, it is advisable to introduce omega-3 supplements or foods rich in these fatty acids into their diet.
Finally, if you live in a small apartment in which the animal cannot move freely, PlaneteAnimal recommends that you do not adopt a dog of this breed because it will be unhappy.
Education of the Caucasian Shepherd
Due to their temperamental nature, the Caucasian Shepherd is not as easy to train as other dog breeds for beginners or inexperienced people. This is why we recommend using a professional dog trainer, who will establish a work plan based on positive techniques.
However, considering that you can train this dog to perfection, you should know that the Caucasian Shepherd is a very instinctive dog, which means that his education should be based on many games and activities that will allow him to be properly stimulated and motivated.It is also very important to be consistent and patient, as well as to use positive reinforcement and to completely forget about punishments, yelling or physical violence. All breeds react negatively to punishment, but the Caucasian Shepherd is one of the most sensitive, as they will not hesitate to defend themselves if they feel attacked or threatened. In addition, these techniques promote stress, anxiety, frustration and fear in the animal.
We will begin the education of the adult Caucasian puppy or shepherd by socializing him and teaching him where to relieve himself. If he hasn't learned yet, we will have to show him a place in the house where he is allowed to do so. Little by little we will introduce the basic commands and as he grows we will teach him more advanced tricks. On the other hand, as he is a very active dog, it is strongly recommended to introduce him to canine sports such as agility.
Caucasian Shepherd He alth
As dogs of this breed live quite a long time, they can develop age-related diseases like heart failure, diabetes or deafness. They also suffer from diseases typical of large breeds, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and stomach torsion. To keep all of this under control, it is best to go to a trusted veterinarian for regular monitoring of the animal's condition, so that you can detect small anomalies as soon as they appear and avoid major complications.
If you adopt a Caucasian shepherd puppy, it will be necessary to deworm him and give him the mandatory vaccines to protect him against the most common canine diseases. If given all the care he needs and regular visits to the specialist, the Caucasian Shepherd's life expectancy is around 12 years.
Photos of Caucasian Shepherd or Caucasian Shepherd
