Review author: “ZooVita”
These dogs are examples of strength, nobility, beauty and intelligence. Since ancient times, they were close to people, guarding their herds and homes, like true friends and helpers, but they did not turn into obedient servants. They are characterized by high intelligence, pride, self-sufficiency and endless loyalty to those who have tamed.
Description of the appearance of the Caucasian Shepherd breed
The Caucasian Wolfhound or Caucasian Shepherd Dog is of average height.
- An adult male can reach 75 cm in height, while females are slightly lower, up to 70 cm.
- Weight ranges from 51 to 69-70 kg.
- Some individuals can gain weight up to 100-110 kg.
The photo of the Caucasian Shepherd clearly shows how thick the hair of its representatives is. The color can be different - wolf-gray, brown, fawn, red and even pure white.
Characteristic is a contrasting mask on the face, most often black. The most popular varieties are: Armenian, Georgian and Azerbaijani. They differ from each other in size, thickness and length of fur.
According to the current FCI standard (last changes dated 03/02/2011), the following main appearance characteristics apply in the description of the Caucasian Shepherd breed:
- The body is muscular and sinewy, the body is massive, well developed;
- The head is quite wide and wedge-shaped;
- Jaw with a straight or scissor bite, teeth white and even (42 pieces);
- The eyes are small, deep-set, their color is characterized by various shades of brown;
- The tail is long, curled in the form of a ring/sickle
- The limbs are muscular, the front and rear are parallel to each other and set wide apart;
Popular types
Based on the type of coat, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are divided into long-haired, intermediate-haired and short-haired.
In total there are the following types of this dog breed::
- Shorthair . They are distinguished by their extraordinary courage and at the same time aggressiveness; they are not afraid to fight a wolf alone. However, due to the fact that their coat is shorter than that of the standard variety, they do not tolerate extreme cold very well.
- Smooth-haired . Due to the very short undercoat, they resemble Central Asian Shepherds in appearance.
- Stepnaya . Bred mainly in Azerbaijan and Dagestan. It is distinguished by a lighter type of build and high legs. They are famous for their speed and swiftness. As a rule, their short fur is colored in reddish shades.
- North Caucasian . It is distinguished by physical strength, endurance and the ability to adapt to the most difficult weather conditions. The character is characterized by decisiveness, distrust of strangers and independence in decision-making.
- Bald . In the 70-80s of the 20th century, the so-called hairless Caucasian Shepherd Dogs were bred, whose fur did not exceed 5-6 mm in length. The purpose of breeding a hairless variety was an attempt to adapt the Caucasian Shepherd to urban conditions, since the classic long-haired variety would have too much hair in the apartment, and the dog itself would not be comfortable due to the heat. It is considered a subspecies of short-haired dogs.
The most common colors in dogs of any type are gray, red, fawn, brown and white , brindle and motley Caucasian Shepherds are also found .
History of the origin of the breed
Since ancient times, dogs have served people with great devotion. The Caucasian Mountain Shepherd is a fairly ancient species, whose history dates back thousands of years. It owes its origin to the herding breeds of antiquity.
There are several versions of the origin of this species - according to one of them, the dog first appeared in the foothills of the Caucasus to protect pastures and livestock more than 2,500 years ago, the second version considers its Tibetan origin from the so-called breed of Tibetan pickling dogs, which were used for dog fighting. Neither of these versions has official confirmation, but both of them are quite plausible.
- Mention of the appearance of the predator in Russia begins with the post-war period of the Caucasian War.
- Since 1765, according to an official document, the owners of these dogs were involved in guard duty.
- From the beginning of the 20th century, breeding work with this species began, which was interrupted by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.
Since the end of the century, the eyes of breeders and scientists have again turned to this breed, because its ideal guarding qualities will always be in demand.
Development of the breed in the USSR
Despite the successful use of these large dogs for the needs of the Red Army, breeding work with them was practically not carried out until 1930. Moreover, until this year, no trouble was seen in matings between the Northern Administrative District and the “Caucasians”, classifying them as a single group of aboriginal “Asians” .
Everything changed after the IV All-Union Service Dog Exhibition, where, according to the final results, the “Caucasians” received the best marks, collecting 15 top awards out of 36 allocated to this group.
After such success, it was decided to define the KO as a separate breed, give it status and carry out pure breeding.
A primary breed standard was developed: “Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Exterior and characteristics of the breed", which was adopted in 1931 and became the first standard for CR.
Longhaired Caucasian Shepherd
Intra-breed types were also included in the standard in order to exclude misinterpretation of the external data of animals by judges and to outline a unified approach to their assessments in the rings.
The Georgian Nagazi was chosen as the desired type that all breeders should strive for from now on. Since at that time breeding work was mainly carried out by departmental nurseries, no one challenged this decision.
After 1931, several scientific expeditions were made to the Caucasus regions in order to remove dogs of the desired type (according to the standard) and carry out canine work on the formation of the breed (according to the breeding plan).
All selected dogs received the status of “unknown origin” and were sent to various nurseries, where they became the founders of new breeding lines.
The first nursery to receive KOs of the desired type was the Central Educational and Experimental Nursery (TsUOP), founded in 1924 (now called Krasnaya Zvezda).
The kennel already had German, South Russian and Central Asian shepherd dogs on its base.
After 1931, “Caucasians” also appeared there.
The task of the kennel specialists was not easy - it was necessary to give the new breed its own individually distinctive characteristics and clearly assign them to the descendants, without losing the valuable qualities inherent in the entire group of Asian Shepherds. And they coped with this task!
In 1936, in Nuremberg, OSOAVIAKHIM (predecessor of DOSAAF), demonstrated territorial dogs of Soviet Russia, among which were 3 KOs belonging to the Central Training and Experimental Kennel. Two males received an “excellent” rating, a female received a “very good” rating. good.”, and even then, most likely because females do not look as impressive as males.
Caucasian Shepherd with medium length coat
During the war years from 41st to 45th TsUOP and other breeding nurseries lost most of their livestock, although they tried to preserve the most outstanding representatives by exporting them to distant areas.
After the war, one could only cry over the remaining “handful” of Caucasian Shepherd dogs - there were so few of them left. The question even arose about the profitability of further breeding.
The issue was resolved in favor of KO, and work on the restoration, further breeding and popularization of the Caucasian Shepherd breed was entrusted to the Central Military-Technical School of Dog Breeding (as the Central Military-Technical School of Dog Breeding was called after June 24, 1941) and the Ministry of Public Utilities of the RSFSR.
In the fall of 1971, at the World Dog Show in Budapest, where animals from 50 countries took part, restored KOs were exhibited.
Almost all the dogs received high marks, and the pair Uran and Zurna brought the title “Winners of the Exhibition” to the USSR. After the rapid victory of the Soviet giants, the standard (adopted back in 1931) was slightly changed in accordance with the data of the winners.
The updated KO standard was adopted in 1976 and was subsequently (1982) supplemented with stricter requirements for the dental system.
And already at the All-Union Exhibition of Domestic Working Dog Breeds (1988), the updated Caucasian guard dogs clearly prevailed over other domestic breeds, including such a recognized leader as VEO.
Characteristics of the Caucasian Wolfhound
One of the most valuable characteristics of the Caucasian Shepherd can rightfully be considered devotion to its owner and territory. This is most likely due to the fact that for a long time she, in the company of one shepherd, guarded the herd or territory entrusted to her.
- The Caucasian is very balanced in his interactions with all family members, including children, for whom he will become an excellent nanny.
- When playing with children, it can allow them a lot. Tolerant of other pets and will consider them as her charges, as well as the territory entrusted to her
- The dog's apparent slowness is extremely deceptive. They have a lightning-fast reaction, which does not fit into the image of such a clumsy animal.
- The Caucasian Shepherd has a very delicate hearing and sense of smell, so violators of the protected area have no chance of passing unnoticed, even when the dog is sleeping.
Caucasians are smart, amenable to proper training and are endlessly devoted to their owners. They endure separation from them very hard and are very sad.
A stranger will never be able to achieve her favor, which is why there is a strong opinion about the dog’s waywardness. This is not surprising, because you can feel the full extent of a dog’s love and devotion only by being its owner.
Application
Most often, those who want a true friend and devoted protector want to buy a Caucasian Shepherd.
This is an ideal security guard for your own home, which is more convenient to live on the street.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs that meet the standard often take part in exhibitions and are popular due to their size, long coat and interesting color variations.
A dog of this breed becomes very attached to its owner, and it is extremely difficult to tolerate even short-term separations.
At the same time, she needs an owner with a strong-willed character.
Female Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are more flexible and easier to train, males are more capricious, strong, impressive, they need a confident and experienced owner
Training and education of the Caucasian wolfhound
Any good dog can be ruined. Regarding Caucasians, these are not empty words, but a harsh reality. Moreover, the process of education begins immediately from the moment you brought her home.
The owner of a furball is recommended to show sufficient firmness, and sometimes even harshness, when communicating with a Caucasian. If a person does not show his authority and cannot help her adapt to society, then she may grow into an absolutely uncontrollable beast, which, most likely, will have to be sent back to the nursery.
- The training process should be approached with the understanding that it will last not one year, but at least two, because a dog of this breed slowly matures - up to two years. There is no specific method for training a Caucasian, but, guided by general principles, you can achieve good results.
- By 5-6 months, you need to start teaching your dog simple commands: “Ugh!” or “You can’t!”, “Come to me!”, “Nearby!” or “Place!”, “Sit!” and “Lie down.”
If the owner shows due patience in the learning and training process, without unnecessary cruelty and aggression, and puts in maximum effort and patience, he will end up with an excellent friend and an excellent guard. The most important thing is personal contact with the Caucasian; it is very important to conduct all training personally, because the dog is loyal to one owner.
Behavior in a dangerous situation
If we consider the tactics of action when protecting the owner, attacking a stranger, then there are huge differences.
It is against the law for a dog to participate in fighting. This is prohibited in many countries
The Caucasian is a serious guard, he is not afraid even of a knife, he will fight to the end. Quite cunning, he waits and does not scare away the enemy so that he comes closer, then he attacks. During a fight, if a person gives up, he will simply stand over him. If you do not resist and lie down, he will not continue and will wait for the owner. They have the ability to instantly switch to a point that poses danger.
Nutrition and care of the Caucasian Shepherd
Despite the impressive size of the dog, its diet is quite small. Of course, it is necessary to control and diversify the menu.
The calculation is made as follows:
- 30-45 grams of natural food per kilogram of animal weight and approximately
- 10-20 grams of dry food is proportional to a kilogram of weight.
The diet is varied - any meat, cereals, preferably buckwheat and rice, less often fish. Feeding with vegetables and fruits is allowed. The dog is not spoiled when it comes to food, apparently due to the meager diet of its ancestors, who sometimes lived in extreme natural conditions. Don't forget to give your dog water - the more often the better.
Ideally, it is better to get a Caucasian wolfhound for those who have their own house with a plot. Then the animal will be able to build a spacious enclosure with a booth. But, if you take a dog into an apartment, then it will have to free up a lot of space, because it is quite large.
- Regarding hygiene. An adult must be washed at least once a week or when dirty.
- Its coat needs careful combing, especially during the molting period. During the warm period, it is better to prevent the possible appearance of ear mites.
Don’t forget to let your Caucasian chew on bones or wooden planks to clean his teeth of food debris.
It is very important to accustom her to wearing a muzzle and a leash. A walk should definitely be part of your pet’s daily routine. If the dog lives in his own house, then it will be enough to take him out at least once a day. If this is an apartment in an urban area, then it is better to walk several times a day
Dog and man
When purchasing a Caucasian, remember - this is a serious watchdog , not a teddy bear. A Caucasian is used to working; he needs a lot of space to fulfill his needs for physical activity and the desire to be useful. It is difficult to keep such a dog in an apartment, but it is possible.
The Caucasian perceives each family member as a client and will not allow anyone to be offended. Children need to be immediately taught how to properly communicate with a strong animal and taught that dogs should not be teased or provoked.
Sad cases of attacks by Caucasian Shepherds occurred due to human fault. The owners are to blame for cultivating anger in the animal, or for making mistakes in their upbringing. The Caucasian Shepherd is an animal that needs to be worked with, and not left to chance.
There were cases when Caucasians became nannies for small children, protecting them from falls, “walking” them in the yard, taking care of them. These are loyal dogs that are ready to do anything for their owner and family.
Diseases and their treatment
The immunity of representatives of this breed is quite high. The breeders did not observe any serious deviations in health. Among the most serious and common diseases are problems with the hip joint.
There are individuals with diabetes mellitus, but this may be due to a sedentary lifestyle. With a proper diet and daily walking, this problem will not arise.
It is important to carry out the entire range of vaccination activities. Do not forget that the best protection for yourself and your pets from any infection is its vaccination prevention.
History and purpose
Both of these breeds belong to the wolfhound family, which in turn indicates their ancient origin. Central Asia is the homeland of these breeds; they are relatives of the Tibetan Great Danes. Such dogs were necessary for security and protection. At first they looked after flocks of sheep; the shepherds could not afford a large number of dogs and chose the most reliable and best puppies from all. Then they worked on guard duty. They have proven themselves through their fearlessness and endurance. Increasingly, they are being used to protect private territories.
Caucasian wolfhound crossbreeds
Mixing of any large breed with the Caucasian Shepherd is allowed. The most popular are crosses with German shepherds, huskies, St. Bernards, and huskies.
The most popular type of Caucasian Shepherd crossbreed is the Alabai. This mixture takes the best character traits from its parents and becomes excellent guards, who have practically no equal among their relatives.
Behavior and temperament
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are famous for their ability to protect both the owner and property, showing aggression towards strangers. With proper upbringing, it distinguishes a real threat from a fun romp . With family members, the Caucasian is gentle and loves everyone, while obeying only the leader recognized by them.
Character advantages:
- affectionate family member;
- good watchman;
- vigilant;
- smart.
Minuses:
- distrustful;
- early socialization required;
- without training this dog is dangerous;
- Difficult to train, not suitable for beginners.
Cost of a Caucasian Shepherd puppy
It is best to purchase a Caucasian wolfhound from a specialized nursery. After all, it is there that you can get primary information about her - the degree of possible aggressiveness of the parents, the presence of a pedigree, veterinary documents.
- The price of a Caucasian Shepherd starts from 25,000 rubles.
- If you need a premium class individual with further promotion to various exhibitions, the price for such a puppy can start from 45,000-50,000 rubles.
How to choose a wolfhound puppy
Before buying a baby, it is advised to pay attention to the appearance, look at the condition of the eyes, nose, and check the bite.
You can tell whether a wolfhound puppy has a stable psyche by its behavior. A healthy dog is active and lively:
- Playing with his brothers.
- Pushes his sisters.
- Shows teeth.
- Tries to bite a stranger.
The seller is obliged to present the Caucasian buyer with a veterinary passport, vaccination paper, and pedigree information. Although the cost of a purebred puppy in a nursery reaches 50 thousand rubles, it is not recommended to save money by purchasing a baby from a private person.
Having fallen in love with the owner, the brave dog is devoted to him limitlessly; in case of a threat, he is capable of sacrificing his life to protect both the owner and his family.
Choosing a puppy - what to look for
Caucasian Shepherd puppies look very similar to clumsy bear cubs. They can be called rather plump, even well-fed. The paws are quite massive even at an early age. The look is wary, very attentive. The puppy may have cropped ears.
- An important aspect is to observe the puppy's behavior.
- If he shows strong leadership qualities when communicating with brothers and sisters, then the likelihood of getting a serious individual as a companion increases.
- Of course, you shouldn’t choose an absolute melancholic either.
- It is much more logical to choose someone who behaves absolutely adequately for a given age and is equally active compared to his relatives.
If we summarize all of the above, then we can quite clearly understand that any pet requires due attention and patience from its owners. The Caucasian wolfhound will require special attention and patience from you.
Of course, they are capricious, in some places even aggressive and dangerous, but all this is an outer shell, for outsiders. For her owner, she will always remain an excellent guard and a very loyal and devoted friend.
The main thing is to understand that raising a pet is a responsibility not only to him, but also to those who live next to us.
Pros and cons of the breed
A wolfhound, which is raised by its owner from an early age, becomes an excellent watchman and protector. The presence of guard qualities distinguishes the Caucasian from other breeds. A dog with a decisive character and high intelligence is able to independently sense when the owner is in danger and choose a strategy, even when there is no command from a person.
The disadvantages of the breed are:
- suspicion and distrust of others;
- training difficulties:
- demanding care and maintenance.
Attention! The dog listens only to a strong owner and needs early socialization. If raised incorrectly, the pet turns into an angry and aggressive dog.
Photos of dogs of the Caucasian Shepherd breed
Choice
In order to make a purchase of a puppy, you need to decide on your expectations from this purchase. There are some criteria that will help the future owner make a choice:
- physical and mental health of the puppy;
- presence of species characteristics of the breed;
- the character of the future pet.
When choosing a newborn puppy, the first priority is to become familiar with the entire litter. The dog should look active and mobile, the coat should be clean, the teeth should be healthy, the mucous membranes should be black and free of unhealthy discharge. A “Caucasian” should not be afraid of sharp sounds and react painfully to light. If the puppy is cheerful and happily makes contact with you, this is a good sign.
There is a simple test to check your dog's mental health. Drop any ringing object near the puppy; if the dog is not frightened by this, he comes up and starts sniffing this object, which means the pet is healthy. Next, you need to decide on the practical purpose of purchasing a puppy. If the pet’s task is to be a guard, then you need to make sure that you have a guard service diploma. When buying a dog for breeding, it is worth talking to the breeder and familiarizing yourself with the puppy’s pedigree.
The most important difference between puppies by gender is character. The bitch is flexible, amenable to training, and knows how to get along with children. The male, in turn, is more powerful and resilient than the female, so the male is more suitable for the role of a guard. When determining the breed of a puppy, one usually pays attention to the front paws. Even in children they are distinguished by a certain massiveness and impressive size. The head must be proportional to the body. The distance between the hind legs is slightly wider than between the front legs.
Purchase
If you have made a firm decision, are ready to purchase a dog and have the necessary amount, you should start your search with specialized clubs and kennels. In such establishments, they treat pets with care, monitor the physical and mental health of the dog, and can guarantee the purity of origin.
Pay attention to the official registration of the nursery.
It is worth familiarizing yourself with the breed standard and talking with the breeder, as well as checking the dog’s documents, which include: birth certificate, medical passport, certificates of conformity to the breed.
