Wolfhound dog: character traits, appearance and reviews from dog breeders (photo)

Maintenance and care

This dog, for example, is ideal for keeping in a yard.
Apartment keeping of this breed is inconvenient due to its large size and the fact that the dog requires free movement, which is very difficult and sometimes impossible to arrange in apartment conditions. Due to the fact that the Armenian Wolfhound has been used since ancient times as a guard for the home and livestock, the most suitable method of keeping it is to keep it in an enclosure or in a yard.

This breed can tolerate both hot weather and cold days.

Gampr needs to ensure free and easy movement within the yard or enclosure.

The animal's booth should be comfortable, located in a shady place, and keep the booth clean at all times. It is better not to keep Gampra on a chain.

Care and maintenance

Despite the fact that Gampras have shorter hair compared to Caucasians, during shedding they may not look very presentable. In this case, the dog needs to be combed, and if possible, remove excess hair with your hands (manual trimming). There is no need to bathe your Gampra often. It’s better to keep an eye on the absence of fleas and the cleanliness of your ears.

Dogs such as Armenian wolfhounds are absolutely not suitable for apartments. But if this happens, then keep in mind that the dog needs daily walks and physical activity. And from the first days, teach your dog to relieve himself outside.

And when kept in a private house, a spacious enclosure with a booth is required. If possible, the walls of the enclosure should be open so that, while sitting in it, the dog can observe what is happening. It is advisable not to keep the gampra locked up all the time, but to allow him to move freely around the territory and choose a convenient place for observation.

Flaws

Gampras, like most large guard dogs, have a number of disadvantages that must be taken into account:

1. Stubborn, independent, freedom-loving.
2. Tend to make independent decisions (if there is a threat to life or the safety of property, this is certainly considered a virtue ).
3. Not suitable for inexperienced owners.
4. People who have a soft, compliant character are categorically not recommended to have a dog of this breed.
5. Not suitable for keeping in an apartment.

Varieties of Alabaev

Wolfhound subspecies have been selected in almost all Asian countries. They have some differences, depending on their habitat, but family ties are clearly visible.

Here are the most famous types:

1. Tibetan mastiff. A rare and expensive dog that can survive in harsh conditions. Mastiffs are tall and powerful, with thick hair in the neck area that extends into the mane. They are calm, with a rather gentle character and love children, but you should not leave them alone.
2. The Turkish Kangal is one of the most ancient breeds. Very obedient, kind, hardy and brave, but at the same time distrustful. Gets along well with other pets. Most often used for protection.
3. The Uzbek Buribasar stands out from other Asians due to its smaller size and elongated muzzle. An easy-going dog with developed intelligence.
4. The Siberian Alabai is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky. Obedient, smart and sociable.
5. The Afghan Alabai is very strong and is often used for hunting. It is not recommended to keep him with other pets. Extremely willful, takes a long time to get used to people.
6. The Alaskan Malamute is wolf-like in appearance, hardy and friendly, but can be stubborn. Dogs are used to transport goods, and not as guards, because they are absolutely devoid of aggression.
7. The German Alabai is a cross between an Indian wolf and a German dog. Very smart, senses danger, fearless and mentally stable.
8. The Armenian Gampr has a distinctive external feature – powerful jaws. He becomes very attached to a person if he proves his dominance.
9. Kazakh tobet is the least common today and is on the verge of extinction. They are strong and unpretentious.
10. The Kyrgyz debit is another endangered species of alabai. In the eighties of the last century, they were actively destroyed because they were considered spreaders of rabies.
11. The Tajik Alabai is the largest and resembles a St. Bernard, good-natured and reserved.

The Turkmen Alabai is taken as the basis for the characteristics of the modern factory breed. Most of all, he is similar in psychotype to another representative of wolfhounds - the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. It is impossible to say with certainty which of them is stronger. Alabais are slightly larger and more massive, but less stubborn and aggressive. Here it is worth taking into account the tasks set by breeders when creating breeds. If a Caucasian is aimed at destroying the enemy, then the shepherds rejected dogs that attacked the owner. Asians are characterized by a clear division into friends and foes.

The Alabai breed standard was first registered only in 1989. In 2010, changes were made to it, in particular, the maximum permissible height of a shepherd dog was increased by 5 cm. Currently, Alabais are in demand in the security field, so very stringent requirements are imposed on selection and training.

What to feed?

It is best if the Armenian wolfhound receives fresh and natural food. Quite simple foods such as raw meat, eggs, dairy products and vegetables provide the dog with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients and allow the little puppy to grow into a strong dog. In addition, sea fish, offal, such as hearts and liver, as well as a variety of cereals are added to the diet. Fish, by the way, is allowed to be consumed only once every 7 days. It must first be cleared of bones and boiled. It is better to take lean meat varieties. When preparing porridges, which are a source of carbohydrates, it is recommended to add a small amount of vegetable oil, broth, and vegetables - raw, boiled or even stewed.

Until the puppy is 5 months old, it should be fed four times a day, and the volume of a single serving ranges from 700 grams to a kilogram. From the age of six months to one year, the frequency of feeding is reduced to 3 times a day. The serving volume in this case increases to 1.5 liters. When the little Gampr is one year old, it will be enough to feed him twice a day. The amount of food consumed by an adult dog is again reduced to 700-800 grams.

To prevent the development of diseases, it is recommended to enrich the dog’s menu with tendons and cartilage. To do this, it is enough to periodically give the puppy mosly. It is recommended that the Armenian wolfhound take a course of vitamins twice a year.

It is important to mention that this dog should always have clean drinking water freely available.

In principle, it is not forbidden to feed your dog only dry food. You should definitely purchase premium mixtures, as well as those designed specifically for large breeds. In this case, there is no point in drinking vitamin complexes, since the combinations developed by veterinarians already contain all the necessary components. In general, the gampr is ready to eat anything, even from the master’s table. But, of course, it is better to formulate his diet thoughtfully, making it balanced and containing a large amount of proteins and carbohydrates. Protein should make up 40% of every meal.

The nutrition of the Armenian Wolfhound may differ depending on the purpose for which the puppy is raised. For a dog that will be actively working, that is, herding or guarding a herd, it is important to receive a balanced but nutritious diet. Its main part is meat, eggs and cereals cooked in meat broth. In the case when Gampra is grown for performance at exhibitions, it is better to rely on premium food. Such mixtures are characterized by the presence of all components necessary for health, high protein content and vitamins.

Do not forget that a lack of proteins leads to health problems, and a small amount of minerals in addition contributes to thinning of the teeth and problems with the bones of the animal.

In general, the Armenian Wolfhound is quite unpretentious in nutrition and eats 3 times less than a German Shepherd, so its outstanding parameters should not frighten future owners.

Gampr and man

Since a dog is called upon to become a true friend to a person, the gampr fulfills this role perfectly. For a four-legged man, a person’s family is his family, and the wolfhound does not have a drop of jealousy towards other family members. The giant gets along well with children and all the people around him with whom he grew up.

The dog is very friendly, and if someone close to him is in danger, he will immediately come to the aid of the person in need. Armenian dog breeds get along well not only with children, but also with other pets.

Any company will suit Gumpr, because this dog is incredibly sociable. Owners will be extremely surprised watching this giant play with kittens and even poultry.

VAIO Control Center

The method works on VAIO laptops. If your keyboard doesn't have a button to turn the touchpad on or off:

1. Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Devices and Printers.
2. In the list of devices, find and open your laptop.
3. The VAIO Control Center will open. Select the “Keyboard and Mouse” tab → “Built-in pointing device” and check the “Enable” checkbox.
4. By clicking on the “Advanced” button, you can adjust the touchpad speed and see the available gestures.
5. Apply the settings and close the window.

Additionally, on Windows 10, check your touchpad settings via Start → Settings → Devices → Mouse and Touchpad tab. At the bottom there is a button to open additional mouse settings. On the hardware tab, find your touchpad and in the properties, make sure it is not disabled.

History of the name

The International Cynological Association calls the breed “Central Asian Shepherd Dog”. The remaining terms are synonyms. The word “alabai” itself has Turkic roots. This is what the Turkmens call the SAO, emphasizing the multi-colored color of the dog. “Ala” means “motley”, “bai” means rich.

Asians are known not only in Turkmenistan. Buribasar is what the Uzbeks call the dog for its ability to protect herds and people from wolves. And tobet is a name in Kazakh, which indicates the herding properties of the four-legged friend. Shepherds used Tobets to herd sheep flocks. Sitting on high hills, the dogs sensed the approach of a wolf or jackal in advance.

Therefore, Buribasar, Tobet, Central Asian Shepherd Dog and Alabai are different names for a beautiful and powerful dog with a large head and massive body.

Brief historical background

The second version of the origin of the name “Ala” is the color scarlet, which translated means red-scarlet. This does not mean that the translation should be taken literally, scarlet or red - quite suitable for the definition of beauty: “beautifully rich” (outwardly).

The Turkmen Shepherd is a truly bright, beautiful dog, which is noticeable from afar, and carries a wonderful combination of beauty, strength and stature. The meaning of these words can also be regarded as – bright, noticeable, fiery.

Some sources claim that at one time the Turkmen lived not only conditionally, but also so remotely that they did not know about the existence of other breeds. Alabai is just a dog for them. Ala and bai mean the existing mountains that separated these peoples, and the phrase as a whole can be interpreted as “big like a mountain, powerful and majestic.”

The dog is distinguished by its powerful size and breed originality, which carries in it some pride and respect for its natural characteristics. Owners of such an animal are rewarded not only with a wonderful friend and protector, but also with responsibility for the life and upbringing of a serious friend.

The meaning of the word “wolfhound” is the dog’s ability to literally crush wild predators - wolves, due to its large size and impressive strength. Another version claims that the dog is the brother of Tibetan dogs.

Origin story

Gampr, also known as the Armenian wolfhound, is originally from Armenia. There are documents containing information about military campaigns dating back to the 1st century BC in which similar-looking dogs took part. In addition, at one time the dog accompanied nomads, guarded livestock, houses and property of the owners. Times of military upheaval led to a significant reduction in the breed's numbers.

Currently, about 2,000 purebred dogs are registered in Armenia, and in America there is a club of Armenian Gampers, whose job is to preserve the breed. The breed is recognized as a national treasure of Armenia.

Nutrition

The Armenian Gampr (Alabai) is an unpretentious dog, especially indiscriminate in food. Natural nutrition is recommended for her, since, like many other native breeds, she digests raw meat better than prepared food.

For your information! Chondroprotectors should be added to natural foods to prevent arthrosis, as well as calcium to strengthen bones.

Walking Gampra

Breed conservation

Unfortunately, the problem of preserving and breeding local dog breeds exists in many regions, including Armenia. In Armenia, the issue of preserving the local aboriginal dog breed Gampr is also the focus of attention of cynologists and cynological organizations. At the beginning of March 2007, in Yerevan, Armenia, at the Museum of Natural Resources of Armenia, an exhibition of dogs of the Gampr breed was held, organized jointly with the “Biological Diversity of the Armenian Highlands” Foundation. Every year, the issue of preserving the breed becomes more acute due to the increasing import of dogs of decorative and service breeds, which, as a result of selection to improve the quality of the exterior, are significantly inferior in their service properties and functionality to dogs of the local breed. On the other hand, dogs were taken from the Armenian Highlands and used to create factory breeds. For example, dogs exported from Armenia, as well as dogs from the Caucasus regions, were used to create the Caucasian Shepherd dog breed.

In 2009, the Cynological, Cynological and Sports Union of Armenia was founded on the basis of the animal lovers club “Aragil”, which became part of the Union along with two large service dog breeding clubs and a decorative dog club. The union unites three large clubs with over a thousand dog owners of different breeds. The symbol depicted on the logo of the Union was the image of the mythical dogs of the Armenian Highlands, the Aralez, in the description of which the characteristics of the Gampr are discernible. From the first days of the Union's existence, breeding work was carried out to form a sufficient number of Armenian wolfhounds for registration of the standard and breed in international cynological organizations.

Links[ | ]

• Volaves of the peoples of the world (Russian)
• Armenian gampr
• Photos of Armenian Gampr puppies (English)
• Armenian ox - gampr on Shant TV
• Photos of Armenian oxen at the International Certified Dog Show of all breeds of CACIB rank “Armenia 2011” in Yerevan (05.22-23.2011)
• The official representative office of KKSSA in Ukraine for the national dog breed of Armenia, kennel “Shamir”

Pregnancy

A bitch's pregnancy is a period when it is necessary to reconsider her diet and pay special attention to her health. Clubs of Armenian Wolfhound lovers in many countries work to preserve the breed, so each litter receives maximum attention from specialists

Clubs of Armenian Wolfhound lovers in many countries work to preserve the breed, so each litter receives maximum attention from specialists.

To avoid joint problems, the bitch should receive additional vitamins and minerals. It is better if they are selected by a competent veterinarian.

The owner will be required to set up a quiet place for the animal, take it for walks more often and ensure that there is no heavy stress.

Photo: wikimedia.org

Diet

Large, strong, powerful - this is how the word “gampr” is translated from Armenian. The photo of these dogs really shows large specimens. But this does not mean that the animal eats in moderation. According to reviews from dog breeders, being large in size and expending a large amount of energy, the Armenian Wolfhound can be satisfied with a small amount of food. The comparison is with the amount of food that a dog of similar size needs. At the same time, this does not mean that the animal needs to be fed to a minimum. The main thing is to properly plan your pet’s diet.

If your four-legged friend's diet is prepared correctly, there will be no problems with his health. The diet should be competent and harmonious. When it is not possible to compose it yourself, contact specialists.

The diet of the gampr should be especially monitored during the period of its molting.

Appearance

The Armenian Wolfhound dog breed has:

• large size of the head and body;
• strong jaws;
• well-developed muscles;
• wide bones;
• proportionally folded body.

If we consider the appearance of these animals in more detail, then, based on reviews from dog breeders, we can give the following description of the breed.

The head of the animal is well outlined and strongly developed. Cheekbones don't fall out. The wide skull part smoothly passes from the forehead to the muzzle. The forehead of dogs of the Gampr breed is flat and wide, the cheeks are thick, the ears are located slightly lower than eye level. Gumpra's eyes are darker than their fur. They are small, slightly slanting, and set deep. The teeth are located close to each other. They are strong, white, well developed. The dental centers are located along one line. The Armenian Gampr has a powerful neck of medium length.

Dogs have a wide chest and an elongated body, in the formation of which the rib cage takes part. In her area the chest is slightly rounded. An extension of the chest line is the belly, which is slightly tucked up. The withers are visible above the line of the muscular back.

The animal's tail is set high. It is lowered when the gampr is in a calm state, and rises above the back, taking on a sickle shape if the animal is irritated.

The paws are strong and have soft pads. Pronounced heels. The front and rear legs are straight and parallel to each other.

There is short hair on the face, forelimbs and ears. On the rest of the body it is double coated with undercoat, which helps protect the dog from adverse weather conditions.

Gampr is an Armenian wolfhound that can be of any color.

Due to the large size of the dog, many people are afraid of it.

If you pay attention to reviews from dog breeders, you can understand that the large size of an animal does not always indicate its anger and aggression

Dog breeders are unanimous that all Gampras are smart and have a balanced character. These are brave animals that will always be devoted to their owner. They easily become a person's friend. But Gampr's respect must be earned. If an animal comes to a person as a puppy, this does not mean that over time it will become attached to its owner. From birth they demand good treatment. This animal should become a family member who will be constantly supported. Dog breeders are sure that you need to communicate with the Gumpr in a friendly manner. Aggression and anger towards an animal is unacceptable. Otherwise, an aggressive response from your pet cannot be avoided. Only a friendly attitude towards the animal will help to achieve its favor and respect.

Due to its sharp mind, the gampr (Armenian wolfhound) can make decisions independently. Dog breeders warn: not all commands given by the owner to the animals will be carried out unquestioningly. If the commands concern proper training, then there will be no problems. If the pet understands that it needs to do something harmful and dangerous for humans, it will not obey.

Having earned the respect of a dog, all family members are under its care

She pays special attention to children. If new people appear in the owner’s house, the gampr greets them with wariness, although he does not show it

It is enough for such people to start doing something bad, the animal immediately takes a defensive position. Not many people will think so!

Character

Before getting such a serious dog as the Gampr, you should know the important features of its character. She is specific in her ability to make decisions independently, but after completing a training course, she relies on the desires of her owner.

Such a pet cannot be called weak-willed. In any situation, he maintains self-confidence and composure. Remains faithful to one person, more often to a strong man with similar virtues. He will never serve another person if the owner is not nearby.

However, a well-mannered representative of the breed will not refuse to obey the command of a member of the household whom he respects. It has pronounced protective qualities, so it is not devoid of aggression. Difficult to manage, sometimes proud, overly self-confident, quick-tempered.

Needs long-term training and consistent training. Intolerant of strangers. He perceives everyone who is outside his protected territory as a potential threat to his family. Observant and responsible. This set of qualities makes the dog an ideal home bodyguard and watchman.

Despite its willingness to serve and protect, it is difficult to call such a dog unbalanced and overly suspicious. She has a stable psyche, is not devoid of intelligence, but at the same time, a little selfish

Ready to fight for the owner's attention. Extremely jealous, does not like to be ignored

But he will never behave too intrusively. By temperament - a mixture of phlegmatic and choleric.

Strives to take control of everything. Remains vigilant at all times, even at night. It only takes a couple of seconds for a dog to fully wake up from sleep. He instantly comes into combat readiness. Never stops protecting its territory. Before falling asleep, he “patrolls” her for a long time, waits and watches.

Pride and observation do not at all prevent such a dog from being an affectionate and friendly pet. When her family is not around, she sincerely misses them. And when we meet, he runs merrily to sniff and kiss. He may even jump into his arms with delight.

He doesn’t like outdoor games, but he does like sports activities. Cheerfulness and activity are not about gampra. Such a dog is more of a worker than a peace-loving dog. His priority is to ensure the safety of his family. He treats children either indifferently or too kindly, seeing them as the weakest members of his pack.

He looks after them responsibly, but does not allow them to play with him like a toy. It can make the owner very jealous of the baby, so we do not recommend leaving children alone with the gumpr. Being in a bad mood, a dog may growl at a child, thereby frightening him.

He is reluctant to interact with domestic animals, especially cats, but with early socialization he can be friendly towards them

For such a dog, it is important to build hierarchical relationships with animals according to the scheme “I am the boss, and you are the subordinate.” Knows his worth and will not back down if a competitor appears on the territory

Most often, the Armenian wolfhound simply avoids communicating with its owner’s other pets, preferring not to notice them.

External signs of the breed

1. Body type – elongated chest bone, straight back, tucked stomach, straight and long limbs.
2. The head is massive, the neck is protected by a thick undercoat.
3. The muzzle is rectangular, medium-sized, with a straight nose and rounded brown eyes. It has a smooth transition to the forehead, with pronounced brow ridges and a wide jaw.
4. The dog has a confident, expressive and calm look.
5. The ears are set low, in the shape of a triangle.
6. The wool is thick. There is a dense undercoat.
7. The tail is sickle-shaped, in the form of a ring.

Some breeders, at the buyer's request, specially crop the ears and tail of Alabai puppies. This is not considered a deviation from accepted breed standards.

The life expectancy of the Alabai is 12-15 years, which is a good indicator for animals of this size.

Character

The dog successfully combines the manners of an aristocrat and the disposition of a savage. By nature, the Turkmen wolfhound is an independent and calm dog. In everyday life, an animal that conscientiously fulfills its historical calling is a true watchman, good-natured and loyal to household members and a serious opponent of deliberate aggression. The pet is ready to sacrifice its life for the safety of its owner and his family.

Comparative characteristics

Alabai is a strong guard dog whose homeland is considered to be Turkmenistan. This breed was bred to guard houses and herds. Raising it is difficult, but with the right approach, this animal will become its owner's best friend.

Important! This dog is not suitable for living in an apartment; it needs space. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs were also bred as a guard breed

But at the same time, it has an even more capricious character than the Alabai. Even with proper training, such an animal recognizes only one owner, whom it considers the main one in the house.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs were also bred as a guard breed. But at the same time, it has an even more capricious character than the Alabai. Even with proper training, such an animal recognizes only one owner, whom it considers the main one in the house.

External differences

The main common feature for representatives of both breeds is their large height and weight, which is why owners of private houses pay attention to these dogs. If we talk about other external features of the breeds, then:

• Alabais have thick and short hair, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have longer hair with a thick undercoat;
• Alabai dogs must have their ears and tail docked; for Caucasians, this procedure is at the discretion of the owner;
• Alabais can have white, gray, reddish and black fur, they can even be spotted. Among Caucasians, gray color is more common, but brown is also common. A characteristic feature is the presence of a dark mask on the face, but there are animals without it.

Thus, despite the external similarity, there are enough differences between representatives of these breeds. And even a person far from cynology can easily figure out where the Alabai is and where the Caucasian Shepherd is. But with mestizos the situation is a little more difficult.

Metis

Differences in character and attitude towards a person

What distinguishes these dogs primarily is their character. Alabais are considered not only independent and proud, but even to a certain extent self-confident and arrogant. They relate well to other animals living in the house, and can even get along well with other dogs.

Note! Alabai consider themselves masters only in the territory that they define as their own. Outside of it, they are neutral towards strangers

Alabais, despite their pride and independence, perfectly sense the mood of the owner; often such a dog becomes a good friend to its owner, but only if he raised and trained the puppy from a very tender age.

Alabai motley color

It is interesting that gender differences are noticeable in the character of the Alabais. Males behave more aggressively, they are distinguished by their courage and hostility towards strangers in their territory

Bitches behave more cautiously and can even act with cunning; they turn to direct aggression less often

Caucasians are a breed that is also called loyal to its owner. But at the same time, its representatives show their feelings very restrainedly and are more independent and self-sufficient compared to the Alabai. In addition, Caucasians choose only one owner, and can show aggression towards other family members. It will take a lot of work to eradicate it. This is also the difference between the breeds, since Alabai are neutral towards the family.

For your information! If we compare the life expectancy of representatives of these breeds, then for Alabais it is on average slightly longer - 12-15 years. While Caucasian Shepherd dogs live on average 10-11 years.

Description of the breed

Gampr (Armenian Wolfhound) is a very large dog. Its appearance immediately indicates how powerful this dog is. Experts note that this dog breed has many similarities with the Caucasian Shepherd.

These dogs usually reach a height of 63–67 cm. There are larger options when the dogs are up to 90 cm tall. Naturally, males are taller. Weight ranges from 48 to 65 kilograms. Quite a large part of the weight is formed due to thick wool.

The dog's physique is massive, very developed, with excellent muscles and a wide chest. The neck is medium in size, which creates the feeling of a smooth transition from head to body.

The dog's face has dark eyes. In combination with sloping brow ridges, such oval eyes create a feeling of benevolence. The ears of the Gampra hang down on either side of the head, giving the appearance that they are glued to it.

Color and coat

The color of a dog of this breed can vary. Most often, sandy dogs are found in combination with a black “mask” on the face or gray in color. Undesirable color colors are brown and liver.

The dog's fur is long, with the exception of the muzzle. The tail is set high. If the gampr is in a state of excitement, the tail rises, but does not lie on the back. In a calm state, it is always below.

If you want to start breeding this breed, then you need to know that the first litter usually produces 5–6 puppies, and then an adult Armenian Gampr is capable of producing 8–10 strong puppies.

Application

Gampr is a universal working dog. In its homeland, this breed is called differently, depending on what functions a particular dog performs. So:

• wolfhounds are called gailhecht;
• archashun - bear hunters;
• Khovvashun means shepherd dog, shepherd;
• potorkashun – rescuer;
• just a gampr - a watchman, a guard dog.

The Armenian Wolfhound is magnificent in any role. But his best qualities are protective. Even six-month-old juniors determine in seconds the boundaries of the territory, the number of people under their care, and do not lose their vigilance for a moment.

At the same time, the gampr is balanced. He will not attack a stranger unless he sees a clear threat. Even in danger, the pet’s goal is to eliminate the ill-wisher, but not to cripple. However, a massive Armenian dog will scare away anyone with just its menacing appearance and loud bark. Therefore, it is unlikely that there will be brave men who dare to compete with this mighty guard.

The guard qualities of Gampras are less pronounced. The protection of people is in their blood, and property is secondary for dogs. It is realistic that during a robbery the dog will herd the family and allow the thief to take things out.

It is unacceptable to turn the Armenian Gampr into a sofa dog. This is a working dog, he needs to feel useful. Guarding a home, property, grazing livestock, hunting - any activity that just requires working side by side with a person.

Comparison of Gampra and Alabai

If we compare the Armenian wolfhound Gampra and Alabai, then these representatives of large breeds are very similar in appearance, but the former grows to a more impressive size.

In terms of their character and characteristics, these two breeds are very similar to each other and are distinguished by strength, endurance and balance. The health status and care of these pets are identical, so when comparing these two varieties, it is quite difficult to make a choice due to their strong similarity. But most often, those who prefer Gampr have nothing against Alabai, but, of course, everything will completely depend on the individual preferences of the person.

Education and training

Not so long ago, no one was interested in training Gampers, since the emphasis was on the natural instincts of the breed. Typically, puppies copied the behavior of adults, accumulating their own life experience over time. In addition, in the old days there was an opinion that training wolfhounds only harms them, drowning out the wolf genes in them. As for modern representatives of the breed, it is impossible to evade training with them. Especially when it comes to pets living in families, exhibiting at exhibitions and visiting training grounds, it is vitally important to instill the basics of correct behavior in such dogs.

Increased attention should be paid to the puppy’s socialization stage: the animal’s attitude to the world is formed in the first months of life, and it is very important that during this period the baby has positive impressions of the surrounding reality. Let the four-legged rogue communicate with other animals, visit crowded places and watch children play. It is important for a puppy at the age of 2-3 months to understand that the outside world does not pose a threat and no one is trying to make an attempt on his life

It is important for a puppy at the age of 2-3 months to understand that the outside world does not pose a threat and no one is trying to make an attempt on his life

It is important for a puppy at the age of 2-3 months to understand that the outside world does not pose a threat and no one is trying to make an attempt on his life. Do not try to raise a stern recluse from a gampra. It’s better to play with your pet more often, invite the dog to the house where the rest of the family members are gathered, and also communicate as much as possible

Do not forget that the stability of the psyche and behavior of the Armenian wolfhound depends, among other things, on the nature of the relationship with the owner. The most difficult period in the life of a Gampr is adolescence. This is the time when the puppy begins to undermine your authority and try to take the place of the leader of the pack. The owner’s task at this moment is to stay on the leadership throne without putting too much pressure on the pet (remember, hard pressure irritates and angers the breed)

It’s better to play with your pet more often, invite the dog to the house where the rest of the family members are gathered, and also communicate as much as possible. Do not forget that the stability of the psyche and behavior of the Armenian wolfhound depends, among other things, on the nature of the relationship with the owner. The most difficult period in the life of a Gampr is adolescence. This is the time when the puppy begins to undermine your authority and try to take the place of the leader of the pack. The owner’s task at this moment is to stay on the leadership throne without putting too much pressure on the pet (remember, hard pressure irritates and angers the breed)

Do not try to raise a stern recluse from a gampra. It’s better to play with your pet more often, invite the dog to the house where the rest of the family members are gathered, and also communicate as much as possible. Do not forget that the stability of the psyche and behavior of the Armenian wolfhound depends, among other things, on the nature of the relationship with the owner. The most difficult period in the life of a Gampr is adolescence. This is the time when the puppy begins to undermine your authority and try to take the place of the leader of the pack. The owner’s task at this moment is to stay on the leadership throne without putting too much pressure on the pet (remember, hard pressure irritates and angers the breed).

The Gampers are in perfect order with their intellectual abilities, so to pass the UGS, OKD and even the ZKS, they only need to put in a little effort. No special approach to training is required: use any standard training manual. By the way, most of these manuals suggest first determining the type of HNA (higher nervous activity) of your pet and based your studies on the result obtained. And of course, do not forget that one person must work with the dog, as well as take it to courses with an instructor or to a training ground, and the one who, in the eyes of the animal, has the status of boss and alpha male.

Character of Armenian wolfhounds

Gampr is a dog for whom it is important to be in the company of people. Representatives of this breed easily make contact with both people and animals.

They are non-aggressive and balanced. Gampr is independent and prefers to make decisions based on himself. For example, before executing a command, the wolfhound must make sure that it is reasonable.

An emotional connection with the owner is necessary for a wolfhound

For thousands of years, Gampras have protected both herds and entire settlements, and therefore the ability to quickly assess a situation and develop a plan of action is deeply imprinted in this breed. The Gampra's loyalty to the decisions it makes calls into question the possibility of training representatives of the breed. During training, you need to be careful not to violate the dog’s personal boundaries by forcing him to perform some action. Otherwise, the wolfhound will become embittered.

Gampras are always attentive to members of their pack, especially those who are weaker

A special genetically inherent skill of Armenian wolfhounds is the ability to balance between sensitivity and belligerence

In other words, they perfectly combine the qualities of a defender and a warrior, without overlapping each other. The caution of gampres can be illustrated by their friendly relationship with children - wolfhounds sense when their barking scares a child, so they never bark for no reason. Gampras also see no point in growling at strangers for no reason until they pose a direct threat.

These dogs tend to stay in the shadows and keep the situation under control, being invisible.

However, as soon as the gampr recognizes a threat from the outside, it attacks immediately, without waiting for anyone’s commands, therefore, when walking in crowded places, it is advisable to put a deaf collar on the wolfhound.

Long-haired wolfhound

Gampry recognizes the emotions of its owners well and needs a constant emotional response. The wolfhound wants to be, first of all, a friend to its owner, a member of his family. Any attempts to train the dog will not lead to anything good. For the same reason, you should never hit a gampr during training - a proud dog will not forgive the owner for such treatment and will become his enemy. The most painful thing for a gampra is loneliness: falling out of the living area, he loses the opportunity to use his instincts, becomes nervous, and literally loses the meaning of life.

When communicating with its owner, the Gampr never allows itself to be aggressive.

Since the Armenian Wolfhound is a dominant breed, puppies should be introduced to the owner early and socialized. The relationship between the gampra and its owner is a separate issue. A leader by vocation, a gampr must see in its owner a leader similar to itself

If this does not happen, the wolfhound himself will want to take the vacant place of leader and will do what he sees fit. Thus, special attention should be paid to raising the puppy so that he grows into a devoted and unflappable protector

Breed standard

The height of males can reach 90 cm at the withers or more

The size of Central Asian Shepherd dogs is impressive at first glance - the height at the withers has no upper limit and can reach ninety centimeters or more. The lower limit of seventy centimeters is quite rare. Bitches differ greatly in size from males, and often a female who gives birth to a very large male does not exceed sixty-five centimeters in height. This is the lower limit of the growth level for females.

Sexual dimorphism is very clearly expressed in the exterior and behavioral characteristics of Asians: males are large, courageous, attack the enemy instantly and silently, females are smaller, more graceful, they first bark at the enemy, attacking only as a last resort. It is considered a vice if a male dog does not correspond to his sex, that is, a bitch type.

Alabais are tall on their feet, with a strong, slightly stretched body of the dog, the neck should be powerful, short, the chest should be deep enough, with strong rounded ribs. A flat or barrel-shaped chest is considered a disadvantage.

The forelimbs are straight, with wide bones, muscular pasterns and large paws gathered into a ball. The hind limbs have a slightly straightened angle, standing parallel.

The head of the Central Asian Shepherd is large, with short cropped ears and small eyes, the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smoothed, the muzzle is full. Dark pigmentation of the eyelids and lips is especially appreciated; eye color can vary from dark to light brown. The teeth are large, scissor or straight bite, complete dental formula.

At exhibitions you can see Central Asian Shepherd Dogs, very different in appearance, this is explained by the fact that currently there are three types of Alabais. They are all judged to the same standard, and whether one wins is simply the judge's personal preference. The weight of the dog does not matter; the overall proportionality and harmony of the appearance are much more important.

Breed standard

For a long time, the wolfhound Gampr did not receive recognition from cynological organizations. In the 20th century, the breed was on the verge of extinction, but through the efforts of dog breeders and enthusiasts it was completely restored.

Gampr on a walk in summer

In February 2011, the breed was examined by the International Canine Union and specialists from the breeding commission recognized and accepted one of the varieties of the breed. To date, only the shorthaired Gampr is recognized. But, in the northern regions of the Caucasus, the long-haired species is no less popular. Let's look at the breed characteristics prescribed by the standard.

Dimensions.

The dog weighs between 45 and 70 kg, has a powerful build and well-developed muscles. The minimum height at the withers for males is about 67 cm, and for females - 63 cm. The maximum height for representatives of the breed is 71-77 cm.

Frame.

The body of the Armenian wolfhound has an elongated shape, lengthening in the chest area, with a stretch index of 108-110. The chest smoothly transitions into a muscular neck, powerful, not too long, but wide.

The withers rise above the muscular and wide back, with pronounced muscles. The abdomen is tucked, not pronounced and merges with the line of the chest. The peculiarity of these dogs is their wide chest, the lower line of which extends below the elbow joint. The croup is straight and wide, slightly elongated.

Head.

The wolfhound's head is large, with weakly defined cheekbones, and well developed. In the area of ​​the skull, the head widens, the transition line from the muzzle to the forehead is smooth. The plane of the forehead is smooth, well formed and is located parallel to the bridge of the nose. The cranial part occupies about 60% of the head, and the rest is the muzzle.

The jaws are well developed - powerful, with a scissor bite and white, large teeth, the centers of which run along the same line. The look is not aggressive, rather focused, intelligent and attentive. The eyes are relatively deep-set, they have the shape of almonds, and their color is several tones darker than the coat.

Limbs.

The scapulohumeral joint of the forelimbs forms an angle of 110 degrees. The paws are parallel, the wrists are oblique and massive. The forearms are also parallel.

The hind limbs are different - from the side the protruding knee joints look straightened, from the front the paws are straight and parallel. The legs and thighs are well developed, powerful and muscular. The metatarsus and forecalcaneus are also well developed. The paws are strong, round in shape and quite stable, with soft, large pads.

Tail.

The Armenian wolfhound Gampr has a medium-length tail, set high. The tail serves as a kind of indicator of the dog’s mood. Normally, when the dog is calm, the tail is down and relaxed. When walking or in a stressful situation, dogs raise their tail above the level of their back, and then it takes on a ring or crescent shape.

Wool.

The coat of a wolfhound has a well-developed undercoat and double coat, which provides the function of thermoregulation and allows the animal to adapt to changing climatic conditions.

In the head area, the hair, especially on the muzzle, is much shorter than on the body. The forelimbs, like the muzzle, are covered with thin and not too thick hair. It was mentioned above that there is also a long-haired type of this breed, but today it has not yet received recognition.

Color.

As for color varieties, there are many of them. The most desirable is considered to be a zoned or fawn shade of coat with a pronounced dark or black mask on the face. Brown shades are not welcome in the color of the Armenian Wolfhound.

Invalid signs.

The standard prescribes not only breed characteristics, but also defects that are considered unacceptable for the Gampr breed. The main unacceptable signs are a short body, a narrowed back, or the presence of any other inconsistencies with the shape of the body.

A poorly developed jaw, an elongated or too narrow muzzle are also reasons for disqualification. Individuals with small, yellowish or too sparse teeth are also culled.

How to choose a Gampr puppy

The Armenian wolfhound is a rare breed. The main population of this breed lives on the territory of Armenia, where nurseries that carry out professional breeding are also located. However, you can buy a Gampr puppy in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and even in the USA.

The small Armenian Gampr is very different from a mature adult dog. It is extremely difficult for a non-professional to distinguish a purebred wolfhound from a mongrel puppy of a similar type and color. There is practically no visual difference between animals up to 2-3 months of many large breeds (Alabai, Caucasian, etc.). Only an experienced dog handler or breeder can establish the fact of belonging to this not very common breed, and even then with a certain degree of probability.

Gampr puppies should only be adopted after three months.

Therefore, it is recommended to purchase puppies exclusively from well-known certified nurseries, where they guarantee the purity of the animals and provide all documents confirming this fact (pedigree).

Cost of puppies and adult dogs

The price of a good Armenian Wolfhound puppy can vary from two hundred to a thousand dollars. Adult animals are offered for sale extremely rarely.

Mating

Regarding the mating of Armenian wolfhounds, the rules that apply to mating dogs in general apply:

• Mating is carried out no earlier than 20 months (for females) and 24 months (for males). Usually females are ready to mate starting from the third heat.
• The dog must be healthy at the time of mating, as well as for 14 days before the expected date.
• Mating is carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach, in the dog’s territory.
• Acquaintance should not last more than 10-15 minutes . After a short “sniffing”, you can proceed directly to mating.