Tuvan Shepherd: description, care, nutrition and training

Maintenance and care

If we look at the history of the breed, the conclusion suggests itself that the optimal habitat for the South Russian Shepherd is a rural estate with a spacious yard, extensive lands and a flock of sheep, which must be protected. However, many modern individuals live quietly in city apartments, joining the owner’s family and adequately fitting into city life. They walk Yuro twice a day, and some dogs prefer a quiet walk around the area, while others are not averse to being active and doing sports. So take into account the needs of your pet and base your walk on the exercises that the shepherd likes.

Hygiene

Face it, there will be a lot of fuss with such a “shaggy mountain” as the South Russian Shepherd. However, if the pet is bought exclusively as a watchman “for the yard”, you can spend less effort on creating a glamorous image - the animal will still not look too neat, this is the nature of the coat. The soft, dense undercoat of the Yuzhak needs to be systematically combed, which will prevent it from matting. In addition, the comb helps to free the coat from small debris that is tangled in the dog’s wavy hair.

During the period of seasonal molting, it is better to massage the South Russian Shepherd with a comb every day, but this applies mainly to owners of apartment and exhibition animals.

Particular attention is paid to the March molt. If you skip it and don’t work through the fur, by summer your pet will “delight” you with dense tangles that cannot be sorted out

Important: do not go to extremes and do not remove all the loose undercoat, especially if you are preparing for an exhibition. The evaluation commission will not appreciate your diligence

Opinions on how to properly comb a Yuzhaka are divided into two types. Some breeders recommend combing your hair before water treatments. The other half advises to first wash the dog and dry it with a hairdryer, and then remove the dead undercoat. Grooming the breed is allowed as long as it does not violate the standard proportions of the animal, so do not try to “sculpt” your ward into a giant poodle - a cut yuzhak must remain a yuzhak. Hipster bangs also do not bother animals, although it may give the impression that the dog cannot see anything because of it. It is not advisable to cut your bangs, but if you really want to, the hair on your forehead can be slightly thinned out with thinning scissors or tied with an elastic band. And of course, no haircuts on the eve of the exhibition.

Do not overuse frequent bathing, as this will damage the structure of the dog’s body. If you are concerned about the cleanliness of your pet’s fur, take him out for a walk in bad weather in waterproof overalls, and protect his paws from reagents with rubber boots for dogs. The ears of the South Russian Shepherd need not only hygiene, but also ventilation, so it is better to remove excess hair inside the funnel so as not to interfere with natural air circulation. Excess sulfur and dirt can be easily removed with a clean cloth and hygiene lotion for dogs, which is sold at any veterinary pharmacy. About once a month, it is advisable to force Yuro to trim his nails, which is carried out using a nail clipper for large breeds.

Feeding

The easiest way to feed a southerner is to buy a bag of high-quality food. However, many types of “drying” contain dyes that subsequently color the wool, so before purchasing food, carefully study the composition. The standard food set for a dog on a natural menu is meat and offal (50% of the daily diet for a puppy and 30% for an adult), cereals (buckwheat, rice), fish fillet (once a week), vegetables and fruits ( sliced ​​\u200b\u200bor salad dressed with low-fat sour cream). Adults, as well as growing animals, should be given foods rich in calcium several times a week - cottage cheese, kefir, chicken eggs. In addition, you can add industrial dietary supplements with mineral complexes to the menu.

From time to time, the South Russian Shepherd can be pampered with beef moslaks, which are both a source of collagen and replace a toothbrush. By the way, about feeding hygiene: the beards of South Russian Shepherds are “bathed” in bowls during every drink or meal. To prevent the fur from rotting and the growth of parasites and fungi, the lower jaw should be wiped dry with a clean rag after eating.

Caring for Belgian Shepherds

Proper care of Belgians involves, first of all, careful care of the coat, which is quite long and thick. Regular brushing and brushing is required. First, use a wide-toothed brush and only then use a special comb for combing. Manipulations are repeated twice a week, and even more often if there are tangles. In spring and summer, it is necessary to treat wool against ticks. After each walk, examine the surface of the body for the presence of parasites.

Belgians do not need frequent washing. One bath every 3-5 months is enough. In this case, only special cleansers are used, since ordinary shampoos can damage the animal’s skin. The thick undercoat should be washed thoroughly, as a large amount of dust, dirt, and parasites can accumulate in it. Belgians are susceptible to a number of skin diseases, the development of which can be easily avoided only with proper coat care.

Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the claws. You need to cut them as needed, carefully ensuring that they do not break off or flake.

In addition, it is necessary to conduct a daily examination of the eyes and ears. As they become dirty, they are carefully cleaned, and if there is inflammation or excessive discharge, consult a veterinary clinic.

Content Rules

Considering the origin and main purpose of the breed, the best place to keep a Tuvan Shepherd Dog would be a private house with a large yard and a spacious enclosure. At the same time, the animal must be able to move freely around its territory and regularly receive sufficient physical activity.

It is strictly prohibited to chain a shepherd dog, and if you want to limit its access to the garden or vegetable garden, then you should build a protective net or build an enclosure. In addition, it is necessary to install a booth on the site, which will serve as an observation post for the animal and protect it from bad weather in case of strong wind and rain.

Dog care procedures are the most common.

The dog's coat needs to be brushed weekly, and during the shedding period it will have to be brushed every day.

Particular attention should be paid to the neck, abdomen, tail and groin areas. Treatment against parasites should be carried out regularly, due to the animal’s thick and long hair, which is an ideal breeding ground for fleas

You need to bathe your shepherd only when it gets dirty, using special shampoos for long-haired dogs. Treating the nose, eyes and ears should be done once a week, and trimming the nails as they grow. Also, once every 3-4 months, the pet must be given an anthelmintic and vaccinated according to the calendar.

“Tuvians” are fed either balanced food for large breeds or natural products. With natural nutrition, the animal’s daily diet should contain 30 g of protein per kilogram of weight, and the rest should come from vegetables, cereals and fresh herbs. You can feed shepherd dogs not too fatty meat, grain cottage cheese, rice, buckwheat, oatmeal and sea fish. Moreover, from the latter it is necessary to remove all the entrails, select large bones and cut off the head.

You can give eggs, but this should be done no more than twice a week. Both a puppy and an adult should not be fed tubular bones, sweet and peppery foods, potatoes, pasta, river fish, grapes, fatty sour cream, plums, citrus fruits, chocolate, baked goods and leftovers from the master's table.

You can look at the Tuvan Shepherd puppies below.

Interesting facts about Central Asian Shepherds

Central Asian Shepherds are amazing animals. These are strong, smart, independent dogs. This breed is unique. If you are interested in Alabai, then here are some amazing facts about them:

Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are lovers of cool and even cold climates. Hot climates are absolutely not suitable for them. To adapt to life in a hot country, they need 24-hour access to an air-conditioned room or a place in the shade. Otherwise, the dog will experience terrible discomfort due to its warm, thick coat.

This dog breed is prone to late ontogenetic development. Puppies develop slowly, becoming mature only at three years of age. Some puppies take even longer to develop, both physically and intellectually. This feature of the breed must be taken into account when raising a pet, training and raising it.

The Central Asian Shepherd is one of the few ancient dog breeds that has been able to retain its original qualities to this day. However, there is no exact data on the age of the breed. Experts have different assessments of this parameter: some claim that the Alabai are about six thousand years old, others are confident that the breed has existed no longer than three thousand years.

The Central Asian Shepherd is one of the largest dogs in the whole world. According to the latest ranking, this breed occupies the eighth place of honor. And the largest representative of Central Asian shepherd dogs is a dog named Bulldozer. The animal lives with its owner in the Stavropol region. The bulldozer is very famous in dog breeding circles.

Basque Shepherd

The breed was developed in Spain to help farmers. The Basque Shepherd is an excellent herder, one of the best four-legged shepherds. It grows up to 58-60 cm, gaining weight up to 35 kg. Shepherd's appearance: rectangular build, expressive eyes, long, slightly curly hair.

She radiates positive energy, which is why she has won many fans. Such a pet is responsible, smart and loyal. He strives to please his beloved owners, so he rarely indulges. Don't mind playing, running or barking. Loves the company of people and animals. Contact and social.

The dog is used in police service. It is often used for rescue purposes. The animal loves people so much that it is ready to help them in any situation. It also has security potential, so it can be used for guard duty.

German Shepherd

Our list opens with the most popular service dog in the world. The height of the German Shepherd is from 54 to 63 cm, weight is from 25 to 40 kg. Males are much larger. According to the standard, the dog’s hind legs should form a wide angle with the peritoneum, that is, be lowered above the ground.

A representative of this breed is considered universal. He is smart, loyal, has an adequate psyche, and obedient. Has amazing learning abilities. By the way, the “German” is among the top smartest dogs. It was developed in the 19th century in Germany.

Types of German Shepherds: short-haired, long-haired. The adjacent type is distinguished separately. They are also classified by color. Black and tan is considered the most popular. But sometimes pure black or gray representatives of this breed are born.

This noble and smart dog has a huge number of advantages. She is exploited as a rescuer, guide, security guard and bodyguard. The animal has excellent guard potential, is distinguished by responsibility and extraordinary devotion. Its advantages also include:

• Adequacy.
• Tendency to obedience.
• Equilibrium.
• Reliability.
• Easy care.

Many consider such a pet to be ideal, and for good reason. He is friendly with members of the household and distrustful with strangers. In everyday life - a reliable and affectionate friend.

History of the Australian Shepherd breed

Despite the fact that more than half a century has been devoted to the study of the Australian Shepherd, experts have still not reached a consensus on its origin. It is believed that the breed was developed in the USA, but the history of the appearance of Aussies still goes back to Australia and is associated with the name of Eliza Forlong, the founder of Merino breeding and the production of high-quality wool on the southern continent.

Australian Shepherd

In the thirties of the 19th century, she and her family settled near Campbell Town, a small town in the east of Tasmania (Australia), where she emigrated from Scotland with her husband and two sons. Here the family founded the Winton farm, where they began to raise sheep purchased in Germany and brought with them. Josef Pabts was hired as a caretaker of the flocks, who followed the Forlongs along with their herding dogs - Tigers, which are now called old German shepherds. This is a confirmed version of how the ancestors of the Aussies ended up in the “Upside Down Country”.

According to another theory, the ancestor of the shepherd is the Australian coolie, which is most similar to the modern Aussie. Farmers and breeders attempted to breed the ideal four-legged shepherd by crossing the Australian Kelpie and the Cattle Dog. In addition, Tigers and Border Collies took part in the creation of the breed. As a result of selection that exceeded all expectations, the ideal shepherd dog was obtained. The animal had strength and endurance, and was able to independently assess the situation during its work and make decisions without waiting for instructions from the owner. One of the important positive qualities of the Aussie was the lack of aggression towards livestock.

At the end of the 19th century, the intensive development of the American wool market began. The main emphasis was on Australian sheep, which were brought by ships from Australia. Along with them, they also brought a herding breed of dog, which amazed local cattle breeders with its abilities. These gifted animals quickly gained popularity in the western states, where sheep breeding was most developed.

America is the birthplace of the Australian Shepherd. The first officially registered breeder is considered to be Juanita Eli, who exported Merino sheep from Australia. Along with one batch of sheep, a shepherd arrived with a bluish dog. This was the first Australian Cattle Dog purchased by Juanita Ely, who made a huge contribution to the further development of the breed.

Aussie puppy

Australian Shepherds owe their increase in popularity among the population to Jay Sisler, a rancher in Idaho. The man was an avid participant in rodeo competitions. Usually there were shows in between. Jay Sisler entertained the crowd with performances featuring his Australian shepherds Queenie, Stubby and Shorty, which won the admiration of audiences not only in the United States but also in Canada. The Walt Disney Company invited furry artists to participate in the filming of two films. All this greatly contributed to the popularization of the Aussie breed, since many wanted to get such a smart and cute four-legged friend.

The history of the development of the breed is also connected with three generations of American farmers - the Hartnagles. While breeding sheep, they also looked for a suitable assistant among herding dogs. Their choice fell on the Australian Shepherd, which impressed with its working qualities. By the way, two puppies – Badger and Goody, purchased from Juanita Eli – were “nephews” of Queenie, Jay Sisler’s famous dog. Goody gave rise to such famous lines as Wood and Flintridge. The Hartnagles rank alongside Juanita Ely and Jay Sisler on the list of famous Australian Shepherd breeders.

Australian Shepherds finally acquired their current appearance relatively recently - in the first half of the 20th century. In 1957, a shepherd named Panda appeared on the list of the National Herding Dog Registry with official rights. This was the first significant recognition of the Aussie as an independent breed. In 1962, the American Australian Shepherd Club was registered, although in fact it existed five years earlier. In 1970, the first nurseries were organized - Maywood and Las Rocosa, and soon their number reached twenty-six. The breed standard was first registered only in 1977. According to the official version, which has been repeatedly questioned by experts, the Australian Shepherd was bred as a result of crossing the Pyrenean Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog and Collie.

Australian Shepherd is black in color with black and tan markings.

Aussie merle color

Breed standard

Despite its rather large size, the German Shepherd does not look heavy in the photo or in real life. Rather, he is lean and muscular. Weighing from 30 to 40 kg, the height of males is up to 65 cm, for females - up to 60 cm. The German Shepherd has a long wedge-shaped head, which widens moderately between the ears.

The skull visually resembles a square, and its length is almost identical to the length of the muzzle. Well-developed, powerful jaws are equipped with a scissor bite, and the nose should only be black. Deviations are unacceptable here. The lips are also darkly pigmented and fit tightly against the jaw.

Dogs look at the world with medium-sized dark almond-shaped eyes. A distinctive feature of the dog is its triangular erect ears with slightly pointed ends pointing upward.

Side view of a German Shepherd

A strong, muscular neck flows into a stretched body with a developed chest. Overall the body looks muscular and strong. The tail is set low and hangs down, curving slightly. The inside is quite fluffy.

The fur coat of these canines is hard to the touch and short. The coat lies tightly to the skin and is also equipped with an undercoat. Acceptable colors are both gray and black with light tan marks.

In addition, there is a pure black German Shepherd. But it is rather rare. The most popular “Germans” in Russia are black with yellow and light brown markings.

How to choose an Inuit dog puppy

In Russia, this breed is considered rare, so there will be problems with purchasing a puppy. You should know that at the moment there is not a single kennel where the northern Inuit dog is bred. Therefore, an exotic pet will have to be ordered from abroad. There is a nursery in the UK where this breed is bred.

The queue is long, and so is the cost. The price of a puppy varies between 50,000 and more Russian rubles. In addition, transportation costs are at the buyer's expense.

There are no more than 5 puppies in one litter.

Sometimes on the Internet you can see an advertisement that a Northern Inuit puppy of pure blood is for sale. You should be wary of such advertisements and contact a dog handler to help determine whether the seller is telling the truth or deceiving. You may come across an unscrupulous breeder who will sell a puppy from a husky or another breed of dog under the guise of an Inuit.

Breed standard

The first official standard for Eastern Europeans was approved in 1964 by the canine service of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. Since then, it has been clarified many times; at the moment, the standards of the Russian Cynological Federation are in force, classifying the breed as Group 1.

- Frame. The predominance of length to height should be clearly visible. Neck with a steep slope - 45°. The back is not horizontal, but slopes from the withers to the lower back. Deep, powerful chest with smooth coverage of the ribs. The hindquarters with the croup and belly are tucked. In general, the body is moderately strong, the silhouette gives the impression of swiftness.

- Tail. Long, saber-shaped. When lowered, the tip descends below the hock joint. During activity, an upward bend is acquired.

- Head. Forms correct proportions with the body, the length together with the muzzle is up to 40% of the height at the withers. The cheekbones are rounded, but the parietal part is flat. The longitudinal groove of the skull bone is weakly expressed. When viewed from the front, the head has a rounded shape.

- Muzzle. Occupies approximately half of the entire length of the head. It has a narrow, wedge-shaped shape with a gradual narrowing towards the tip of the nose. The lips do not droop, fit tightly, and are always dark in color. The nose is black and larger than other large breeds.

- Jaw. The upper jaw is especially well developed. The bite has a scissor-shaped bite. An adult dog has 42 teeth; the incisors form a straight line.

- Eyes. Dark in color, dry, the third eyelid is poorly developed. The eyes are set obliquely, the size is medium.

- Ears. Like the German Shepherd, they are always erect and have a pointed shape. Set high. Only East European Shepherd puppies up to 7-8 months old can have drooping ears.

East European Shepherd dog age 3 years

- Front legs. Ideally straight, when viewed from the front, they are parallel to each other. The length should slightly exceed the height at the withers. The elbow joint is facing backwards.

- Hind legs. The thigh, shin and hock are of moderate length. The knee joints are hardly noticeable, turned inward. The soft pads on the paws are always dark in color.

- Wool. On the body it is quite rigid, straight and tight-fitting, the length is average. Somewhat softer and shorter on the front legs and head. The undercoat is present, but not visible due to its short length.

- Movements. Running at a sweeping trot, balanced, smooth. During movement, the highest points of the withers and croup are located approximately at the same level.

Compared to the German Shepherd, the Russian variety allows much greater variety in color. So, if in a German gray shades are not allowed in principle, in the Eastern European breed they are allowed - the East European Shepherd in the photo can have a gray color either as a background color or as a gray color placed in zones on the body. There are three main color options:

- saddle cloth on a lightened background;

- deep saddle cloth, almost black;

- Black-backed with relatively large gray and tan areas.

Disqualifying defects include abnormal jaw structure (not a scissor bite), incorrect skull structure, and a short tail. Also in males there is undescended testicle in the scrotum.

In general, the listed breed standards mostly apply to German shepherds. Representatives of two related breeds can be difficult to distinguish, especially at an early age. In addition to color, the main differences between the species include:

- weight - the weight of the East European Shepherd is usually 5 kg more;

- height - 5-7 cm more;

- character - less aggressive in the German variety;

- limbs - the angularity of the humeroscapular joints is stronger in the German variety.

Germans are also less suited to living in an apartment and are less able to tolerate harsh climates.

Education and training

The Tuvan Shepherd needs very early socialization. Therefore, the sooner you start introducing your dog to the outside world, the better. This can be done as early as two or three months, when the puppy has received all the necessary vaccinations and has passed the required quarantine. The baby needs to be gradually accustomed to loud street sounds, car noise, and crowded places. Then the dog will perceive such an environment as familiar. You will not have problems with fears or disobedience.

With any puppy, you must exercise maximum patience and restraint during the training process. The small Tuvan Shepherd especially needs this. Her willful and stubborn character will often “get on your nerves.” But only a clear sequence of your actions and perseverance can give results.

Don't raise your voice at your dog. And, especially, do not use physical force. The times when dogs were recommended to be raised with “cuffs” are long gone. You must be strict and unwavering, but fair. Especially if we are talking about a puppy. Don't punish the animal. Almost always, dogs do not understand cause-and-effect relationships that are clear to humans.

Start training with the simplest commands. A three-month-old puppy can easily master them. These commands include the following:

• sit;
• lie;
• voice;
• give me your paw;
• place;
• it is forbidden.

To achieve a visible result, it will take more than one day or even one week. At the same time, classes must be carried out regularly, at least twice a day. They should not be long-lasting, since the puppy’s nervous system, like that of a small child, is not yet fully strengthened and formed, and it will quickly get tired from the stress. Make sure that before training the dog is in a good mood, not sleepy or sick.

Be sure to reward your dog during the training process. These can be either affectionate words and strokes, or treats in the form of delicacies. Do not overdo it so as not to overfeed the dog. If the dog eats dry food, then you can slightly reduce one of the feedings, and use the “saved” granules to reward the dog for correctly executed commands.

Immediately set the boundaries of what is permitted with a Tuvan Shepherd. It is almost impossible to retrain an adult dog if these boundaries are erased. Have you firmly decided that you can’t jump on the sofa? Then stand your ground until the bitter end and do not allow any connivance. By making exceptions “to suit your mood,” you disorient the puppy and undermine your authority in his eyes.

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Description of the breed with photos

The breed standard was first approved in 1973. At the same time, the International Federation of Cynologists officially recognized the Podgalyan Shepherd Dog.

The description of the breed contains the main characteristics:

1. White coat color.
2. She is of medium length. There is an undercoat that is soft and dense to the touch.
3. The head is not massive, but strong, with clear outlines. The rounded forehead has a dividing stripe. The transition from the forehead to the nose is smoothed, but has clear contours. The nasal dorsum has smooth, wide contours. The nose is black, the nostrils are large.
4. The lips are not thick, with pronounced pigmentation. Rounded jaw. The development of the teeth is correct - close to each other, complete set. Dogs have a scissor bite, rarely straight. The presence of another bite is considered a defect.
5. The drooping, triangular-shaped ears are located at the level of the outer corners of the eyes, sometimes a little higher. They are thick and mobile. The corners are rounded and touch the muzzle when at rest.
6. The eyes are slanted and positioned proportionally. They have a medium size. The iris of the eyes is brown with a dark tint. Dense eyelids with pronounced pigmentation.
7. The strong body has a rectangular shape. A well-defined neck with a curve of medium length. A mane is a must. The withers are strong and have a pronounced muff. The fur in this area is long and thick. The dorsal frame is strong and short. The loin is poorly defined. The croup slopes towards the tail and is quite wide. The abdominal area is tightened.
8. The paws are even and fairly light. The muscles are well developed. The shoulder blades are clearly defined and have the correct angle. The joints are strong. Thick claws have a curved shape. The color is dark. Paw pads are dense.
9. The low-set thick tail is curled at the end.

Size and weight

The breed is large in size. The height depends on the gender of the dog. The height of a female is 60-65 cm, and that of a male is 65 to 70 cm. The weight of a dog also depends on its gender. Every month he increases by several kilograms.

Weight by month from birth to one year is presented in the table.

Color and coat type

The coat has a straight, harsh or slightly wavy texture with a dense undercoat. The muzzle and outer parts of the limbs are covered with shorter hairs with a dense structure. At the same time, the area of ​​the hips, tail and neck has long hair. Color is pure white. But the standard implies deviations from white towards a beige or peach shade. At the same time, the dog looks unkempt and dirty.

Appearance of a White Swiss Shepherd

The appearance of the powerful and muscular White Swiss Shepherd is similar to that of an ordinary German Shepherd. They are almost identical in height, but the “Swiss” is built a little denser. Among the representatives of the breed there are long-haired individuals and those with medium-length hair. The former are distributed mainly in Germany, Austria, France, and the latter in Holland and the North American continent.

Frame

A white Swiss shepherd admiring his native alps.
The dog has an elongated croup, slightly inclined towards the base of the tail, and a strong, straight back. The chest is powerful, of medium width, oval in shape, deep, reaching down to the elbows, its front part is expressive. The abdomen is moderately tucked. The sides and lower back are strong. The withers are clearly expressed.

Neck

Muscular, slightly elongated, no dewlap. The line of the neck, gently transitioning from the rather high-set head to the withers, is nobly curved.

Head

The head of the Swiss Shepherd is proportional to the body, has straight, clean lines, and is wedge-shaped when viewed from above and from behind. The line of transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smooth, but the very place where they connect is clearly distinguishable. The powerful muzzle is elongated, slightly tapering towards the nose. The nose itself is medium in size, the preferred color of the earlobe is black, but a simply dark color is also acceptable.

Jaws, teeth, lips

Beach party

The jaws are powerful, the teeth are located strictly perpendicular to them. Scissor bite. The lips are an intense black color and should be dry and pressed tightly together.

Eyes

Small, slightly slanting, almond-shaped, color - from brown to dark brown, a black rim is welcome.

Muzzle of a white Swiss Shepherd

Limbs

Kiyayaya

The forelimbs of the Swiss Shepherd are strong, lean, and their bones are not too heavy. When viewed from the front, they appear to be set quite wide apart. The shoulder and forearms are elongated, with powerful muscles. The pasterns are strong and set slightly obliquely.

The hind limbs are muscular. From behind they look straight and parallel. The thighs are of medium length and well-developed muscles. The shins, with solid bones, are also muscular. The hocks are of medium length, straight, lean.

The dog's paws are oval in shape, with the hind legs slightly longer than the front ones. The fingers are clenched tightly and almost curled into a ball. The pads are elastic, black. The same color is preferred for claws.

Movement

The White Swiss Shepherd moves powerfully, measuredly, consistently rearranging its limbs. The dog's lynx creeps, as if sneaking.

Tail

Running Swiss Shepherd

Richly covered with hair, has a saber shape. Set on quite high and reaching at least to the hock joint, tapering towards the end. When the dog is in a calm state, the tail hangs towards the floor, sometimes curving slightly in the lower third. In an animated animal, the tail rises vigorously, but does not exceed the top line.

Wool

The animal's coat is thick, tightly covering the body. Both dogs with medium-length hair and long-haired dogs have an abundant undercoat. The outer hair is straight and somewhat coarse. On the ears, muzzle, and forelimbs the hair is noticeably shorter than in the neck area and the back of the hind limbs. The neck of long-haired Swiss Shepherds is decorated with a spectacular mane, and their hind limbs are dressed in woolen “pants”. A slightly wavy coat is acceptable.

Breed defects

• Light yellow or fawn tint of color (fawn) in the back area, at the base of the tail, at the tips of the ears.
• Fragmented lack of pigmentation on the nose, lips, and rims of the eyes.
• Shortened, square-shaped body.
• Drooping or semi-erect ears.
• A curled or looped tail, a hook-shaped tail, positioned above the line of the back.
• Lack of undercoat. Too soft, velvety coat, as well as curly coat.
• Bulging eyes. One or both eyes are blue.
• Excessive aggressiveness or, on the contrary, timidity, timidity.

Diseases and health problems

German Shepherds are considered very strong and hardy dogs, whose health is quite good. The main risks to canine health include:

• Infectious and viral infections;
• Parasitic attacks;
• Manifestation of genetic diseases.

The first risk group can be eliminated if all vaccinations are completed in a timely manner and due attention is paid to the dog’s health. It is more difficult to protect yourself from all kinds of parasites; for this you need to carefully examine the dog after each walk.

When there is a peak in parasitic activity, it is better to change walking routes, placing them away from the forest belt. If the animal begins to suffer from itching, the condition of its coat has worsened, or dubious ulcers have appeared on the skin, then you should immediately visit a veterinarian. We must not forget about carrying out preventive treatment against worms and fleas, which is carried out twice over a one-year period.

Genetic diseases of these dogs, which are hereditary, include hip and elbow dysplasia. These ailments appear in the form of pathologies of bone joints and can provoke lameness, accompanied by pain. It is extremely difficult to recognize this in puppies, but as dogs grow older, they gain weight, and the disease makes itself felt. Dysplasia can only be diagnosed closer to 10 or 12 months of age, when the dog’s skeleton is already fully formed.

Shepherd dog owners claim that many diseases can be prevented if you show care and attention to your pet, constantly monitoring the dog’s appearance and behavior. An active dog with regular bowel movements and an excellent appetite is a sign of a healthy and happy animal. The condition of the ears, eyes and fur also indicates the well-being of the pet, so if they are not in order, you should definitely pay a visit to the veterinary clinic.

Nutrition

Modern wet and dry food contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals that a dog needs for health. That is why veterinarians advise feeding your pets such a balanced diet.

Premium and super premium food is suitable for the Tuvan Shepherd. The fraction can be quite large. If the dog doesn’t move much, then you need to not only cut down on the diet, but also choose food with a low carbohydrate content. Otherwise, the dog will be at risk of obesity. Active dogs that compete and train a lot will need a higher calorie diet.

Dosing the food is quite simple. Each manufacturer indicates the standards on the packaging. To choose the right amount of food for your pet, you need to know its weight. Servings can be measured in grams or cups.

If you feed your Tuvan Shepherd dog high-quality food, then there is no need to take additional vitamins. But clean water should always be freely available to the dog. Dry food contains virtually no moisture, like meat or other foods. Therefore, the pet will often need to replenish the lack of fluid in the body.

When feeding, be sure to measure out the required amount of food at one time. If you put more in the bowl, the Tuvan Shepherd will eat everything offered to it. Unlike cats, dogs have poor control over the feeling of fullness, so they can eat to their fullest. This leads to overeating, which has a detrimental effect on the health of the animal.

You can feed the Tuvan Shepherd with both dry and wet food. It's best to use a combination of them.

Industrial food is not only a safe and balanced diet for your pet. With their help, you can prevent diseases and even treat some of them. So, for example, there are separate lines for allergy sufferers, dogs with kidney failure, digestive disorders, diseases of the genitourinary system, and so on.

When a dog reaches old age, its diet needs to be reviewed. It is better to choose a special food for the “old people”, and also reduce the dosage.

When purchasing a puppy, ask what kind of food it was raised on from the breeders. If the dog has no health problems, then continue to feed it. Dog food manufacturers have separate lines for puppies. These foods are enriched with calcium and essential components for the growth and development of strong teeth and bones. As soon as the puppy grows up, you can give him food for adult dogs, a larger fraction.

It is very important to follow the feeding regime of the Tuvan Shepherd. An adult dog is fed twice a day at the same time. The daily dose recommended for the animal should be divided into two parts and given in the morning and evening. If your dog doesn't eat the entire portion or ignores it altogether, don't leave the food in the bowl. Put away the food until the next feeding. The reason for this behavior may be the following:

• ailments or diseases of various types;
• the dog did not have time to get hungry;
• the animal does not like a particular type of food.

If the Tuvan Shepherd lives indoors and is not constantly outdoors, then you need to feed it after a walk. This will help avoid health problems such as gastric volvulus. It can be deadly for the dog. Large breeds of dogs, which include the Tuvan Shepherd, are especially prone to this.

A dog doesn't need variety. On the contrary, it can only bring harm. Unlike people, dogs do not suffer from eating the same food year after year. If the dog is healthy and active, has a shiny coat and strong teeth, then there is no need for other food. But frequent changes in diet can lead to food allergies and gastrointestinal problems.

Tuvan Shepherd

A very beautiful dog, bred in Tuva. It has a lot of purposes, including:

• Livestock protection.
• Search for missing animals and people.
• Catching rodents.
• Hunting.
• Protection of people and buildings.

This is an active and energetic animal with soft long hair. Most often born black and white. Has a stable nervous system and excellent adaptation skills. He quickly gets used to new things, but never recognizes the second owner.

She sincerely becomes attached to one person and remains faithful to him until the end of her life. The Tuvan Shepherd is a wonderful guard dog. She is responsible, brave and courageous. Even an armed man will not be afraid. Moderately aggressive.

Recommendations for choosing a puppy

Today, the breeding and raising of Tuvan Shepherd Dogs is carried out only by the Moscow private kennel “Mongun-Taiga”, which began its activities in 2002. When contacting this organization to purchase a puppy, you must consider the following rules:

Carefully examine the baby you like. His coat should be shiny and healthy. Bald spots on the body are unacceptable. The tail of a healthy animal is straight without any creases. Observe the dog's behavior. You should choose only cheerful, active and playful residents of the nursery. Ask the staff of the Mongun-Taiga nursery to show the parents of the puppy you like. It is believed that exterior and mental characteristics are inherited

If the appearance or behavior of the animal's parents raises any doubts, it is better to pay attention to another puppy. Seek advice from a specialist

An experienced breeder only needs one look at a dog to form an opinion about the presence or absence of flaws.

Best nicknames

In the kennel, the puppy receives a nickname in accordance with the rules of the RKF, but such names are most often difficult to remember and pronounce. Therefore, owners come up with short nicknames for their pets, which they call dogs in everyday life.

It is worth considering that dogs remember nicknames consisting of 2-3 syllables better. A pet may not accept a name that is too long.

Usually they look at the character or appearance of the dog when choosing a name, but you also need to pay attention to the purpose of the dog

For example, calm and soft names are suitable for a companion shepherd dog:

• Alai, Shecky, Poof, Buddy, Light - for a boy;
• Athena, Bella, Lola, Quince, Monica - for girls.

If the German Shepherd is guarding the house, consider the formidable and serious nicknames:

• Thunder, Pirate, Tyson, Zeus, Joker - for a boy;
• Storm, Taiga, Bagheera, Hera, Xena - for girls.

The shortest and most sonorous names are suitable for service dogs:

• Dick, Luke, Sam, Jacques, Rico - for a boy;
• Rina, Keri, Ada, Loya, Mia - for girls.

The color of the dog will also tell you what to name your pet. A black boy can be called Dark, Chernysh, and a girl can be called Shadow or Blackie.

For a zone-gray dog, the nicknames Wolf or Gray are suitable - for a boy, and for a girl - Cameo, Dusty.

For the saddle color: Golden, Mongol - for a boy, Zlata, Bronze - for a girl.

The names of Scandinavian and ancient Germanic mythology sound very unusual and beautiful:

• Odin (supreme god);
• Loki (god of fire);
• Thor (thunderer);
• Ber (father of Odin);
• Balder (god of spring);
• Nanna (Balder's wife);
• Snotra (goddess of thought);
• Freya (goddess of magic and love);
• Elrun (Valkyrie);
• Holda (the sorceress who brings Christmas gifts).

When choosing a nickname, you can take into account the first letter of the tribal name, which is written in the metric.

Character and behavior

Tuvan Shepherd Dogs have developed natural intelligence and a stable psyche. They are calm, balanced and alert. In the family circle they are playful and sociable, patient and quick-witted. They love attention and do not tolerate loneliness well. First of all, they should be considered as serious watchdogs and guard dogs that are capable of independently switching to defensive actions, decisive and courageous. They are wary of strangers, but without expressed aggression.

Pets are treated with care. Tuvan Shepherds are intelligent and obedient. Well susceptible to training. With proper training and good socialization, they are easily manageable. They combine the best qualities of service and guard dogs. In many ways they resemble Central Asian Shepherds.

Tuvan Shepherds are good guard and guard dogs. They protect not only their territory, but also everything that is on it. The protective qualities of males are more pronounced.

Sociability of the breed

The Tuvan Shepherd easily gets along with its relatives and other animals. Outside her territory she is indifferent to strangers.

She is attached to her owner, but without going overboard; pride will not allow her to bother you with affection. When the owner himself pays attention to her, she turns into an affectionate kitten.

Treats children with restraint, with moderate tolerance. Only on condition that they do not offend the dog.

Security qualities

Ideal guards, sensitive hearing, attentive and quick-witted. Ideal for keeping in country houses, always on guard. Security qualities apply not only to the territory of the house, but apply to all human property. They will protect your car, pets and every little thing. What is located on the territory and near the house is the property of the owner.

Character of the South Russian Shepherd

Representatives of the breed have a typical “shepherd” character, due to which they truly love and listen to only one family member. At the same time, fawning over and looking back at the owner’s actions every minute is also not about southerners. In critical situations, dogs are able to make a decision without languishing in anticipation of a command, and it can be difficult to stop their initiative at such moments. When acquiring a South Russian Shepherd, do not forget that you are introducing into your home a serious working dog with clearly manifested “Caucasian” genes. And this, firstly, is systematic training, and secondly, responsibility and the ability to build the right partnership with the ward, in which the owner is the eldest.

YURO make unsurpassed bodyguards and good watchmen. Representatives of the breed are able to repel an enemy's attack with a threatening growl and a disarming grip from birth. Southerners especially like to guard territory rather than property, so you won’t find a better pet for guarding your personal plot and monitoring your summer cottages. Dogs are extremely selective when choosing friends among their relatives. For some, the South Russian Shepherd patiently indulges in light pranks, condescendingly wagging its tail, while for others it will never forgive a harmless pounce. Accordingly, when taking a shaggy “blonde” to the dog park, be mentally prepared for both a positive model of behavior and a negative one - it is impossible to predict which “tail” the South Russian Shepherd will not like.

There are many photos floating around the Internet in which representatives of the breed are having fun with children, riding on the backs of babies and “washing” dirty young girls with their tongues. However, there is one nuance: all the children in such photographs are members of the dog’s owner’s family, which automatically brings them into the animal’s inner circle. If you want Yuro to tolerate unfamiliar children (not to be confused with the word “loved”), this quality will have to be cultivated in her. But keep in mind that loyalty to other people's children ends where the territory of the master's possessions begins. If young lovers of free apples have gotten into the habit of visiting your garden, you can’t count on your dog’s condescending attitude towards them.

Please note: South Russian Shepherds do not attack the enemy directly. Usually the animal approaches from the back and sides, biting the enemy from all sides. Among specialists this technique is called “dancing”.

A separate caste in the life of South Russian Shepherds is teenagers. The dog stubbornly does not want to see an adult in a teenager, but he will not classify him as a child who needs to get away with everything. Hence the constant conflicts with the younger generation and the struggle for spheres of influence, which should not be encouraged. As for cats and other representatives of domestic fauna with which the dog shares territory, they are by and large not in danger. Sometimes, if the cat is older, he is able to crush the young southerner and climb to the top of the hierarchical pyramid. The bonuses that the purr receives are: the dog’s endless respect and the opportunity to occasionally pick at his food bowl without risking his own life.

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Addition - from the article by I.A. Zakharov and S.V. Kashtanova “The Tuvan Shepherd Dog is an aboriginal herding dog of Tuva”

“The herding dogs of the former Soviet Union are represented by only three breeds known to dog handlers - the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the South Russian Shepherd Dog. All of them are recognized by the FCI. However, it is hard to believe that in the vast territories of the southern part of Siberia, where nomadic animal husbandry has always been developed, indigenous herding dogs do not exist or did not exist. Therefore, when we began studying the aboriginal livestock of Tuva in the mid-1990s, we paid special attention to dogs guarding herds of sheep, goats, horses and yaks, and also began to collect literary information and stories from the local population related to the dogs of southern Siberia.

There is reason to believe that domesticated dogs appeared in the Central Asian region more than 10 thousand years ago, but archaeological finds indicating the use of dogs by the population date back to a later time, namely the era of the Hunnic Empire.

The first state to unite the territories from Altai to Lake Baikal was the Empire of the Huns, a people who apparently spoke a Turkic language. The Hunnic Empire arose in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC. The tribes that became part of the Hunnic state led both a nomadic and sedentary lifestyle. On the territory of modern Buryatia, southwest of Ulan-Ude, the so-called Ivolginskoe settlement was excavated. Bone remains of a variety of domestic animals were found here, among which large and small livestock predominate. Almost a third of the bone finds are dog bones. An archaeologist, the author of a book dedicated to the Ivolginsky settlement, writes: “The dog is represented by three breeds - the husky, a large wolf-like dog and a great dane.” Of course, we can’t talk about breeds; What archaeologists have discovered are extreme morphological types that existed in what appears to be a single population of dogs, although they were probably used in different ways.

V. Ya. Butanaev collected and published various information about the attitude of the Turks of southern Siberia towards dogs. The information he collected relates to the Khakass and their ancestors, the Khongors, and the Kyrgyz, but probably similar rituals existed in the territory of present-day Tuva, as well as in Mongolia. V. Ya. Butanaev writes:

“The dog, like the wolf, in Khakass mythology was surrounded by a special aura of veneration. The ancestors of modern Khakass, the Khongorians, preferred to keep black and white dogs and were wary of yellow and mukhorta colors. Yellow dogs were considered werewolves - servants of the dog khan, Saraadai Khan. They believed that if you kill a yellow dog, its soul will go to Saraadai Khan. In order to ward off possible misfortunes, the tongue of the dead yellow dog was cut in half, and its body was taken and thrown into the lake. If a dog howl is heard from the lake, then this is a bad omen, predicting the death of people.

The Khongorians did not keep dogs on chains that had spots above their eyes, creating the appearance of four eyes. Such dogs are called four-eyed (tort harakh). There is a legend that the founder of the Kyrgyz clan, i.e. modern Khakassians, was fed dog milk. The dog had four eyes, two were passed on to the baby, and marks remained on the dog’s face. The Khakass were sure that four-eyed animals had special vision (they could see the new moon on the first day of the new moon).

Dogs played a special role in family rituals. One of the magical rituals involved feeding the dog. Seven planks coated with ritual food were placed on the bride’s spread hem. They brought the dog, which had to eat the food offered. At this time, the priest pronounced the blessing “Let your front hem be trampled by children, let your back hem be trampled by cattle.” The same ritual was described among the Mongols.

After the baby was born, its first excrement was given to the dog to eat. When making a cradle, before placing the child there, a puppy was first placed there so that he could “inhabit” it. Before putting the first vest on the baby, it was first put on the puppy. The midwife, invited to the ceremony, blessed: “We are putting a dog shirt on you. Be as strong and resilient as a dog!”

According to the traditions of the Khakass, Buryats, and Mongols, children’s fallen milk teeth are crushed into bread crumb or a piece of lard and thrown to the dog with the words “A bad tooth for you, but give me a good tooth.”

Dogs were forbidden to be killed, and after their death they had to be buried. If a dog is not buried, its soul turns into an evil force that haunts and brings illness to its former owner.

Dogs participated in fortune telling among the Khakassians and Mongols. The vertebrae of livestock, cleaned of meat, were laid out in a row and each vertebra received the name of a particular girl. They brought a dog into the yurt. The dog, after sniffing all the vertebrae, chose one and ate it. It was believed that the girl after whom the eaten bone was named would soon get married.

We found a description of the appearance of Tuvan dogs, as well as their habits, in the hymns of Tuvan shamans, recorded in the 1970s, but apparently created in much older times.

“...You are devoted to your master. You lie at the threshold, leading the security service of the yurt. You, the dog, the guardian of the faithful site, are monitoring the herd of livestock. You stand there hidden, where a wolf might appear along the path. You barely notice a rustle, you immediately nod your head and bark. You lie there tightly, blocking the path of trouble with your whole body. I stand and sing, calling on the dog’s soul with my algysh...

I imagine that your eyes are wearing some kind of glasses, your muzzle anticipates the bad smell of trouble. The proximity of fear makes you howl long, the proximity of a thunderstorm makes you jump out quickly. Your tail flaunts a marvelous shaggy nest, The earrings in your ears are wonderful and spectacular. A dirty dog, your fur is dark and velvety. I am looking for your soul and calling to your soul, singing my algysh."

This hymn was recorded in 1976 from the storyteller S. Sambuu (born 1890), who lived in the village of Mugur-Aksy, Mongun-Taiginsky district. It was in this village that several decades later we acquired the puppy Mugur, who later became one of the founders of the Moscow Tuvan Shepherd Dogs. His appearance exactly matches the description given. Another hymn mentions dogs with their nicknames “My dog ​​Eger, my dog ​​Kazar!”

Our first meeting with the Tuvan Shepherd took place in August 1997, in one of the most remote northwestern regions of Tuva. A long trip in a UAZ - first along a good highway, then along dirt roads, then off-road along a river - ended with an overnight stay at the beautiful mountain lake Kara-Khol. At sunset, a large herd of yaks passed along the ridge of the mountains above the lake.

In the morning we were woken up by our companions - employees of the Tuvan State University: “Not far away, at the shepherds’ camp, there is a real Tuvan dog.” We quickly got ready and set off. Dogs—several mongrels—ran out towards the car, barking. One large dark dog with rather long hair stood out among them. She immediately attracted attention: her every movement was leisurely, measured and full of dignity. “This is Tuvan,” they explained to us. “She is 16 years old and there are no other dogs like her in the area.” Indeed, having traveled more than 350 kilometers from Kyzyl and returning to the capital of Tuva by a different road, we did not meet Tuvan dogs anywhere else.

After this first meeting, becoming interested in the origin and history of the herding dogs of Tuva, we began to collect information about Tuvan shepherd dogs.

Just 40-50 years ago, Tuvan Shepherd Dogs were common in Tuva. Tuvans call these large herding dogs “kadarchy yt,” which literally means “guard dog.” They helped herd livestock, protecting them from wolves, guarded the shepherds' property, and took part in hunting. Old-timers recall that in the past, three types of dogs could be seen among shepherds in almost every camp. A. M. Lamajaa talks about this, in particular.

Firstly, in fact, the same type of very large dog with tufts of matted hair on its tail, belly and ears, which is described in the shamanic hymn. Such dogs were usually called Ezir (Eagle) and Tas (Vulture). They always operated within the boundaries of the camp, had voices in very low registers, guarded the territory of the camp and everything that was on it. This was especially clear at night, when they patrolled the border of the parking lot. Often early in the morning they could be seen sitting on the “border” hills around the camp. And at this time, two other types of dogs were sleeping quite calmly, curled up in a ball near the yurt.

Actually, shepherds are also mainly large and mastiff-like dogs with red spots above the eyes (“four-eyed”), tan marks on the stomach, paws, and cheeks. They were often called Kostuki and Cherlikpen.

And finally, hunting dogs are the master’s privileged pets. Lighter, more agile and fast, with a curled tail, a white chest or neck (Moinaki) and not very long hair. They were also often called by bird names, such as Hartyga (Falcon) or Ezir (Eagle). If someone approached the camp, they met the stranger along with other dogs and accompanied him for a long time, barking, far beyond the boundaries of the camp, while the large dogs of the first type remained sitting on the border of the protected territory. Accompanying the owner-rider was the privilege of only a hunting dog.

Each type of dog thus had its own functional purpose. Good puppies from famous working parents were paid for in rams and skillfully made bridles.

In Tuva, in the western steppe regions, in ancient times there were greyhounds called Taigan; They hunted foxes and wolves with them. They hunted using dogs along with golden eagles. The golden eagle grabbed the wolf's head and back with its paws, and the dogs finished it off. Greyhounds were owned only by wealthy people and disappeared along with them during the Sovietization of Tuva.

Nowadays, the Tuvan Shepherd has also almost completely disappeared, and can only be found in distant pastures, in the mountains of the Mongun-Taiga region. Why did this happen?

In 1944, Tuva, which had previously maintained nominal independence and the traditional way of life of the people, became part of the USSR. In the 50s of the twentieth century, the nomadic population of Tuva began to be forcibly resettled in villages. Under these conditions, dogs from several camps gathered in too large quantities in a limited area and they began to be destroyed, without taking into account the unique qualities of individual animals and without conducting any directed selection. The village councils even had a plan to shoot dogs. In the mid-1950s, an absurd decree of local authorities appeared: dogs should be kept on a chain, all dogs would be given number plates. Dogs not on a leash and without identification numbers were killed. By the early 1960s, most of the dogs were exterminated.

All these measures led not only to a sharp decrease in the number of aboriginal dogs, but also to the loss of some of the best breeding stock.

The fact that small crossbred dogs appeared in the villages, brought by visitors from different cities of the country, who mixed with the aborigines, also played a role. The shepherds castrated their male dogs, as they explained to us, “so that they would not go far from the camp.” Because of this, the possibility of obtaining purebred puppies has sharply decreased.

Recently, the reduction in the number of Tuvan Shepherd Dogs is also associated with the prosperity of livestock theft. Thieves simply poison well-working guard dogs by scattering special baits that were previously used to fight wolves.

Tuvan Shepherd Dogs, like Central Asian ones, lead a semi-wild lifestyle and mainly take care of their own food by hunting marmots, gophers and other small animals. With poor nutrition, the genetically inherent signs of large growth and massive physique cannot manifest themselves sufficiently. Therefore, dogs of an intermediate type now predominate in Tuva. This was also facilitated by a decrease in the total number of aboriginal dogs, since it became very difficult to select pairs of the same type of parents to produce offspring of the desired type.

In addition, puppies of Tuvan Shepherd Dogs are born only once a year, at the most difficult time, namely, from December to February. The number of puppies in a litter generally does not exceed 4-5, and usually one or two survive until summer.

Currently, Tuvan Shepherd Dogs are quite large (males at the withers are 63-70 cm), well-built, proportionally developed, agile dogs. The native herding dogs of Tuva have a characteristic appearance: black or black and tan, traditionally prized colors (although others exist); hair matted behind the ears and on the tail, forming “earrings” and “braids” or “brushes”; white marks on the neck, chest, legs.

Tuvans were suspicious of dogs with a white tail (although dogs with a white chest often also have a white tail tip). It was believed that white-tailed dogs were cowardly; according to another version, the white tail lures evil spirits.

The coat of the Tuvan Shepherd is unique and allows it to withstand temperature changes from +40 to -50 degrees Celsius. It consists of a silky but elastic guard hair and a very fine, soft and dense undercoat. At the same time, the wool requires almost no care. The outer hair forms a “mane” on the neck and withers, “feathers” on the hind legs, and a “feather” on the tail, which are most pronounced in males.

This hair structure was most likely formed as a result of the fact that the Tuvan Shepherd Dog has lived for centuries in the open air in conditions of a sharply continental climate and high mountains. At the same time, owners never allow their dogs into yurts or houses, neither in severe cold nor in pouring rain. Therefore, wool not only saves the dog from both hypothermia and overheating, but also prevents it from getting wet when water gets on it - all the dog has to do is shake it off and it is almost dry.

However, Tuvan Shepherds are attractive not only for their appearance. They are intelligent and receptive to training, well manageable, sociable with their owners, but distrustful of others; sensitive watchmen and good security guards. They combine the best qualities of guard dogs.

Tuvan Shepherd Dogs are characterized by a strong type of higher nervous activity; they are calm and balanced, alert, but do not show excessive aggressiveness. Thanks to their strong nervous system, these dogs adapt well to almost any conditions: new surroundings, large crowds of people and animals, long journeys in vehicles and planes, life in an apartment, kennel, or country house.

The Tuvan Shepherd is the result of centuries-old folk selection; it is a universal guard dog for a wide variety of conditions. In a protected area, dogs constantly monitor the situation, even when it seems that they are sleeping, and instantly react to the appearance of strangers and animals. In a calm situation, they quickly relax and willingly play with other pets or their owner.

Tuvan dogs alone can cope with a wolf. We were told a story from the 1950s. The shed was attacked by wolves at night; guarded by one male. In the morning they found him wounded and three wolves killed. In the mountains, near the western border of Tuva, we met a dog near a yurt, a black male with a white chest. The owners said that he killed a wolf while protecting the owner's sheep.

An interesting, rationally thought-out ritual existed when purchasing a puppy. The writer M. Kenin-Lopsan expressively described it:

“We, the people of Khemchik, remember the ancient times, we do not forget the customs and their ancient simplicity. You don't have a dog, do you need a puppy? Well, let your hands not be empty. Take boiled fat tail to the place where the puppies were born and feed the mother fatty lamb to the puppies. When the owner comes, feed the chosen puppy enough of the leftover fat tail. Close the dog’s eyes now with the owner’s hand, and let another person quickly carry the puppy away. You sit without getting up, as if you have no worries, and wait until the owner of the yurt calls you. Behind the yurt, of course, you will immediately get a puppy - it’s yours! Put it in your bosom, go home quickly!”

They also say that when choosing puppies, they were lifted by the tail: the puppy who behaved most calmly was considered the most worthy.

Having made sure that the Tuvan Shepherd Dog is in danger of imminent extinction, we set out to try to find typical specimens suitable for breeding, transport them to Moscow, organize breeding and, if favorable conditions arise, try to return the “kadarchi yt” to its “historical homeland”.

With the help of students and staff of the Tuva State University, an area was found where Tuvan Shepherd Dogs were still preserved - this is the Mongun-Taiga Kozhuun, in the southwest of Tuva, bordering Mongolia and the Altai Republic. As a result of expedition trips and the help of our Tuvan colleagues, several dogs from there were brought to Moscow. Another place was discovered where dogs of the same type were preserved in small numbers - this is the Kosh-Agach region of the Altai Republic, on the border with Tuva.

Based on the livestock exported from these two areas (7 dogs), the Mongun-Taiga nursery was created, registered in 2001 with the Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia (SKOR), as a nursery engaged in breeding the Tuvan Shepherd Dog, and the first version of the standard for this breeds

Now the kennel has received the third generation of Tuvan Shepherd Dogs born in Moscow. In total, in mid-2009 there were 40 adult dogs and 21 puppies of this breed living in Moscow and the Moscow region. The geography of their distribution is expanding: Tuvan Shepherd Dogs from the Mongun-Taiga kennel were transferred to St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Krasnodar, Elista, Sochi, Kyzyl, Belarus and Abkhazia.

In Tuva, as was said, mainly black and black and tan dogs are found, and other colors are very rare. When breeding Tuvan Shepherd Dogs in the kennel, despite the fact that we have so far managed to avoid inbreeding, puppies of different colors were obtained: black, black and tan, black and white and white and black, tricolor, zone, fawn, sable. This variety of colors was most pronounced in the second and third generations of the kennel dogs. Apparently, the variety of colors is genetically inherent in the population of Tuvan shepherd dogs, as well as Central Asian ones. However, in Tuva, under strict conditions of selection for coat color, black and black and tan dogs make up the majority of the population.

Since 2001, the kennel's dogs have successfully participated in such international exhibitions held in Moscow as the Russian Championship, Continental Union, Mayor's Cup and World Cup. All the dogs of the kennel in the rings were recognized by different judges as being of the same type and breed and received excellent marks. The title “Champion of Russia” has already been received by 7 dogs of the kennel, including Mugur and Tyrgak, exported from Tuva; Mugur's daughters Khuren-Khol and Marcy and Mugur's grandson Barin Ak-Adyg. The second grandson of Mugur and the aboriginal bitch Mainak Bogatyr Ak-Koshkun at the Luzhniki exhibition “Golden Ring - 2008” took first place among all shepherd dogs and first place in the competition of domestic dog breeds “Pride of the Fatherland”, which clearly indicates the high recognition of the new breed by professional dog handlers .

The Mongun-Taiga kennel has its own website www.mongun.ru, which provides basic information about the Tuvan Shepherd Dog, the kennel and the exhibitions in which our dogs participate. A large number of different photographs gives a complete picture of both the aboriginal dogs in Tuva and the Tuvan shepherd dogs bred in Moscow. A separate section is devoted to the stories of Muscovites - all the owners speak very warmly about their pets, who never tire of surprising their owners with the unusualness of their behavior.

Participation in international exhibitions held in Moscow has shown that the Tuvan Shepherd can and does attract the attention of dog lovers - in appearance it cannot be confused with any other breed. As for the impressions of the owners of these dogs in Moscow and the Moscow region, their opinion is quite unanimous: Tuvan shepherd dogs perfectly guard their territory without showing unreasonable aggressiveness; they are calm, but distrustful of strangers, independent and self-confident, have good hearing, vision, sense of smell and lightning-fast reactions. These are brave dogs with a stable nervous system, a high level of intelligence, intelligent, agile and hardy. Tuvan Shepherd Dogs are very unpretentious - even in winter they prefer not to go into the kennel, but sleep in the snow; in the house - unobtrusive and unnoticeable. In addition, these dogs are very patient and reserved and, therefore, have excellent contact with children and pets.

Recently, there finally seems to be an interest in their own guard dogs in Tuva. Numerous articles we prepared in magazines and in Tuvan newspapers about the preservation of “kadarchy yt”, appearances on local radio and television yielded results. There is information that residents of Kyzyl and other cities of Tuva are looking for and keeping good Tuvan Shepherd Dogs, but nothing is yet known about the success in restoring the population of this breed group of dogs. Three puppies with pedigrees from the Mongun-Taiga kennel were sent to Tuva from Moscow and there is hope that the project to revive the population of aboriginal Tuvan Shepherd Dogs may be successful. Of course, in Moscow, the Tuvan Shepherd Dog will inevitably, after several generations of factory breeding, lose some of its valuable working qualities and adaptability to the harsh climatic conditions of its homeland. To preserve these characteristics, it is necessary to purposefully breed aboriginal dogs in Tuva with selection for both exterior and working qualities. There is no such program yet.

Recently, in the literature one can increasingly find references to another breed of herding dogs in Central Asia - the Mongolian Shepherd Dog. The most complete description of the dogs of Mongolia is given by G.N. Yavorskaya in her book “The Mongolian Shepherd Dog”. The author of this book began breeding dogs exported from Mongolia in Ulan-Ude. In Mongolia, aboriginal dogs are called "bavgar" (bear-like) or "banghar" (rich in fluff). These are dogs of large stature, strong and strong-rough type of constitution, with a fairly strong bone structure. There are both long-haired and short-haired dogs, but all have developed decorative hair on the neck (“mane”), hind legs (“pants”) and tail. Colors are black and tan and deep black with a white marking on the chest. Expedition of employees of the Institute of General Genetics named after. N.I. Vavilova RAS to Mongolia in 2008 discovered the largest number of aboriginal dogs south of Ulaanbaatar, in the Gobi Desert region. There were two types of dogs - heavier and lighter. The latter, usually black in color, looked like the dogs of Tuva.

The origin of these dogs is possibly related to the history of yak breeding. From Tibet, yak breeding spread to Mongolia, Tuva and Altai. Together with the yaks, dogs guarding the herds came to these areas - the ancestors of both modern Tibetan mastiffs and aboriginal herding dogs of the above-mentioned regions.

In connection with the work to preserve the Tuvan Shepherd Dog, we met enthusiasts of restoring local breeds of domestic animals in Kalmykia. Professor A. N. Arilov (KSU) and his assistants began, in particular, breeding herding dogs brought from Mongolia. The type of these dogs turned out to be close to the Tuvan ones and three of our puppies were sent to Kalmykia to replenish the livestock, and five puppies of Kalmyk-Mongolian origin arrived in Moscow.

The work of Tuvan and Mongolian herding dogs in the Kalmyk steppe gave a very interesting result: wolves generally do not approach the herds guarded by these dogs, while in neighboring sites where dogs of other breeds (mainly various mestizos) are guarded, wolves constantly slaughter the cattle. This effect can be explained by the fact that wolves have clearly defined boundaries of their hunting grounds. They are marked with scent marks. In most cases, packs of wolves try not to cross these boundaries and not conflict with neighbors. Perhaps Tuvan dogs, which have retained a semi-wild lifestyle, leave the same marks on the borders of a protected area. Therefore, wolves avoid such sites. A significant role is also played by the fact that these dogs are not afraid of wolves and, during test contacts, are ready to enter into a fight without hesitation.

Interest in aboriginal dogs is growing steadily. One of the manifestations of this trend is the work to restore the shepherd dog of Buryatia - the Buryat-Mongolian dog, carried out by cynologists of the Russian Canine Federation. Tuvan Shepherd Dogs have been repeatedly invited to exhibitions to compare these two closely related breeds. The opinion of dog handlers was unanimous - these breeds are certainly different from each other, although they come from neighboring regions. They also differ from the Mongolian Shepherd "Banghara", although some common characteristics are visible: the predominance of black and black and tan color, hanging ears, a bushy tail with a ring, endurance and unpretentiousness. This is not surprising, given the conditions and for what purposes these breeds were formed and the common roots of their origin. If we compare them with European herding dogs, we can also find many similarities. However, these are different breeds, formed in specific conditions under the influence of different shepherds with their national customs and preferences."

South Russian Shepherd

If you look at a photo of a South Russian Shepherd, nine out of ten people who have almost no dealings with dogs will say: it’s a mistake - shepherds are not like that.

Remember the film “Come to me, Mukhtar!” What a beautiful shepherd dog took part in arresting criminals! And here is a dog from nose to tail in solid white fur to his toes.

There is a similar breed in one European country - this is the “puli”, or it is also called the “Hungarian mop” for the presence of half a meter of wool. Just some kind of shock. The Central Russian Shepherd's coat almost reaches this size.

But this “robe” contains the beauty of such a shepherd, and its charm, as well as the best qualities of a guard of everything that is entrusted to it. This is evidenced by numerous reviews about the character of the South Russian Shepherd.

Health

Apparently, no medical examinations have been performed on the Shepherd, making it impossible to make any definitive statements about the general health of this breed. In fact, there is practically no information about this breed.

It is likely that this breed is so large that its lifespan is significantly shorter than that of smaller breeds.

However, it is also fair to say that she is in significantly better condition than most breeds of similar size because she was bred solely as a working dog under very harsh conditions and has largely been spared the worst of modern dog breeding practices.

Features of dog breeds

Initially, special requirements were placed on herding dogs:

• they must be extremely resilient, since they have to work around the clock;
• a thick coat should protect from harsh climates;
• they must be fearless and strong, since while protecting the herd they have to deal with predators;
• the hunting instinct, which can lead far from the herd, should be kept to a minimum.

All these requirements were taken into account to one degree or another when breeding shepherd dogs in different countries. The emphasis was on local climatic, geographical features and color types.

However, this does not mean that dogs bred in one country cannot live and work in other countries and even continents. So, we all know and love the Scottish Shepherd (Collie), Central Asian (Turkmen Alabay), Belgian, Caucasian and, of course, the favorite of canine beauty - the German Shepherd.

Price for puppies

The dog is used to living in rather harsh conditions, so it rarely suffers from inflammation and colds. If you suspect that your pet is not feeling well (decreased appetite, weakness, unusual behavior, visible abnormalities), consult a doctor without waiting for the condition to worsen.

• Infants aged 2 years - 2.5 months, moving to a new home. At the moment they have vaccinations and everything they need. They are active, plump, sleep and eat a lot. You should only choose a puppy from experienced breeders.

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History of the origin of the species

The first mention of the ancestors of the South Russian Shepherd Dog is usually attributed to 1797. At the end of the 18th century, at the state level, the task was set to organize sheep breeding in the undeveloped territories of the Tauride steppes. For this purpose, fine-wooled Spanish sheep were brought to the region of modern Zaporozhye and Kherson region. Along with the flocks, special shepherd dogs – small Asturian Shepherd Dogs – were also brought to the Russian Empire.

However, representatives of this breed could not provide practical assistance to local sheep farmers. The animals were well trained to maintain order in the herd. But in the conditions of the southern, scorching heat, and in the absence of water, they were unable to cope with the main task. Being short and relatively weak in build, they were unable to protect their herds from steppe wolves.

There was a need to create a different type of powerful guard dog that would also have exceptional herding qualities. Thus, the idea of ​​crossing imported individuals with local breeds - Tatar Shepherd Dogs and Greyhounds - appeared. The result of selection was the South Russian Shepherd Dog. Combining the strength and endurance of the first breed, and the tall stature and viciousness of individuals of the second species, the dog became an unrivaled guard.

The main distribution area of ​​the South Russian Shepherd was Crimea. The main selection work was carried out in the large estate of Askania-Nova, located in what is now Ukraine. The documentary archive of this estate, which has survived to this day, confirms that it was here in 1856 that the largest number of individuals was recorded.

The Civil War made adjustments to the development of the breed, and the number of dogs was greatly reduced. The individuals that survived on the farms of individual shepherds and ordinary fans of this breed became the basis for restorative breeding. It was organized in the city of Dzhankoy with the support of the state. In general, the nursery staff successfully completed the task. In a short time, lines were bred that were not inferior to specimens brought from the territory of Askania-Nova and from other cities of the country.