Caucasian Shepherd | A Massive Prison Guard Dog

Home Caucasian Shepherd | A Massive Prison Guard Dog

Caucasian Shepherd Dog Breed

The Caucasian shepherd is admittedly one of the ferocious dog breeds. In keeping with its temperament and character, the Caucasian shepherd is a massive looking dog with strong and muscular body. The steadfast loyalty and unwavering dedication of this dog has made it an ideal police and guard dog throughout Europe and the erstwhile Soviet Union member states. This dog is known as Caucasian Shepherd in Europe and as Caucasian Mountain Dog in America and Caucasian Ovcharka in Russia. Their life expectancy is 11 to 12 years.The Caucasian shepherd dog is recognized by the FCI as a guard and watch dog and their present population is now estimated to be between 200 and 300. In late 2010 an application was submitted for recognition of these dogs by the Kennel Club.

Table Of Contents

Origin of the Caucasian Shepherd Appearance of the breed Temperament Living Conditions Successful Ownership of Caucasian Shepherds Obedience Training Grooming your Canine Conclusion of the Dog Breed

Caucasian Shepherd are used as Russian Prison Guard Dogs as well. The duties include protection, deterring criminal behavior, as well as searching for prisoners. Origin It is believed that Caucasian Shepherd Dog has originated from ancient breed of dogs from the Caucasian Range and the steppe regions of Southern Russia. Historically Caucasian Shepherd dogs were trained for guarding and safe-keeping of herds, flocks and human dwellings from beasts of prey and predators and strangers. For ages, Caucasian dogs were completely isolated from others and confined to the role of safeguarding shepherd. The present day Caucasian has evolved from the aboriginal dogs of the Caucasus, and it is believed that some inventive breeders may have infused blood from a number of Molloser breeds. There is also the presumption that the ancestor of the Caucasian shepherd dog could be the Tibetan Dog, though it is not the present day the Tibetan Mastiff, which is an English cloning of the ancient dog. The history of the contemporary Caucasian shepherd dog is around 2,500 years old. Dagestan region, being a Eurasian point with its peculiar historical, social and geographical characteristics created this completely unique breed of Caucasian shepherd dogs which ideally fulfilled the local environmental conditions. Originating from this point the ways of the Caucasian breed and its Asian counterpart went their different ways. They appeared as separated brothers brought up in different conditions. Endowed with the necessary physical characteristics, these dogs were trained and used to protect from two enemies the wolf and strangers.

The Caucasian shepherd dog is recognized by the FCI as a guard and watch dog and their present population is now estimated to be between 200 and 300. In late 2010 an application was submitted for recognition by the Kennel Club.

Appearance
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have strong bones, muscular build, a relatively short coat and tall-looking with a light physique. Most of them weigh around 120 to 160 pounds. The average height of a male dog is 29 inches and bitches are 26 inches. They have a bear-look face, deeply set dark oval shaped eyes, round-shaped cropped ears and lowly placed long tail. They possess a thick and water resistant double coat and mostly found in shades of gray, brindle, yellow, rust, red or white. In general, the well-bred Caucasian dog is robust and healthy. As with other large breeds, the Caucasian should be at a minimum screened for hip and elbow dysplasia. Hip and elbow dysplasia does afflict more than 50% of the breed and hence breeders should provide copies of OFA/Penn Hip elbow and hip evaluations to prospective buyers.

Temperament
The Caucasian shepherd was predominantly used to protect livestock because of their temperament. This breed is assertive, brave, alert, strong-willed, and daring. Unless properly trained to behave, the Caucasian shepherd can be unruly, ferocious and unmanageable. It resents strangers but has a powerful urge to defend its owner, their family members, children, cats, other dogs.; They are formidable and zealous guardians of their owners and their families and who can by default hate strangers and so caution is recommended. The Caucasian dog is fiercely suspicious and even hostile and aggressive towards any strangers including dog show referees. This dog needs a lot of socializing and training. It communicates its displeasure with growling and occasionally biting. Living conditions The Caucasian shepherd is not at ease living in an apartment or in-house. They need a lot of space to roam around and you must be prepared to provide a large yard. You must allow this breed of dog safely run free in an open area. Its thick coat protects it admirably well against weather conditions and it can effortlessly cope with living out-doors but there must be a proper shelter. They should be taken out for a long walk when you can make the stretch and heel. Dogs of this breed are generally robust, healthy and with fewer complaints. Some of the common ailments are hip dysplasia, obesity and occasional cardiac problems. Its recommended that a joint supplement for dogs is used to avoid hip and bone issues.

Pictured above is a Caucasian Shepherd during protection training. When trained correctly and by professional trainers, this breed of dog makes an excellent guard dog. Successful Ownership The breed is notoriously famous for its uncanny ability to discriminate between real threat and harmless interference. Rather, the Caucasian shepherd dog is able to exercise sound judgment provided he has been given the proper socialization, dog training, and experience on which to base this judgment. Socialization, training, discipline, control are the key factors to successful ownership of the Caucasian shepherd dog in todays fast-paced society. Training of Caucasian shepherd dog must be firm, patient, and persistentBut the Caucasian dog breed is one of the most willing and compliant of the flock guardians and is therefore very trainable. These dogs need to be trained to obey, especially walk alongside you when going out and follow the commands Sit Stand Wait Stop Eat No Heel etc. Obedience Training Several years of formal obedience training beginning right from early puppy days is necessary. You should allow your dog to participate in family activities and should accompany it 2 to 3 times per week for a quick jaunt to the bank or grocery. Your Caucasian should receive consistent, exposure to the outside world, so that he may grow up to be a law-abiding canine citizen. The Caucasian shepherd dog belongs to a very peculiar breed and needs a very thorough approach to its training. You should remember that the only assured base

for training is a good relationship with your dog and the only means allowed is an emotional bonding. To make your training task easier you should start to train the puppy when it is 7 or 8 months old. However, the training should be restricted to teaching obedience! Once properly socialized and well trained, the Caucasian dog is gentle and loving with their owner and his/her family. It also behaves responsibly with quiet, well-behaved children. Grooming These breeds possess two different varieties of coats the short-haired and the longhaired. The coat of the long-haired variety requires regular brushing and you must pay special attention to the spots where tangles may occur. The short-haired variety requires infrequent grooming, but should still be combed and brushed. Conclusion Please understand that owning and controlling a Caucasian shepherd dog is an intimidating task. This fiercely independent and brutally strong-willed dog will obey and respect only a dominating an equally strong-willed owner. Highly intelligent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog will find many inventive ways to get into trouble. It has a keen sense of hearing and is ever vigilant and alert to strange sounds. This means that the breed is often noisy and barks a lot, especially at night. You must carefully consider these traits and act suitably. Obedience training and early socialization is inescapable for this breed. If you are diffident about training and commanding this dog, then it is wise to stay away and opt for some gentler breeds of dogs.

Related topics:

Top 10 Best Guard Dogs | Best Protection Dogs

Home Top 10 Best Guard Dogs | Best Protection Dogs

By owning one of the best guard dogs you can create a safe and secure home and ensure that you have a well protected family. There are a number of capable and family oriented guard dogs that would be suitable for watch dogs or even personal protection dogs. However, these are the top 10 best guard dogs in no particular order. When looking for a capable protector you have to take into consideration the following traits in canines: Train-ability, Stability, ability to process the difference between an actual threat and a family member or friend, alertness, size, speed, and strength.

These are just 5 of the top 10 best guard dogs. The best canines for home protection, attack training, and criminal deterrence depend on a breed that is completely fearless.

1. The Belgian Malinois

Belgian malinois Guard dog training commonly known as schutzhund training. Commonly used as Russian Prison Dogs. There are four types of Belgian shepherding canines. One of these dogs is the Belgian Malinois. This breed is often mistaken for the German Shepherd Dog. However, the Malinois is has a more elegant structure and have a lighter build. However, the decrease in size doesnt take away any strength or drive. This breed is often used by police and military for its train-ability, intelligence, high energy level, and over all work ethic. When trained properly, this breed is a force to be reckoned with, especially as a Russian Prison Dog. This breed is considered one of the best guard dogs by police and military.

2. The American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull excels Guard Dog Training due to their amazing athletic ability and willingness to please their owners. One of the most misunderstood and stereotyped breeds is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Due to the fact of negative media attention and the victim of poor owners, this breeds reputation has been tarnished over the years. However, this breed not only makes an outstanding family dog, they make an excellent home protector as well. This breed is extremely athletic, intelligent, and strong. When trained properly, they make excellent guard dogs. Training should be extensive and done by professionals. As with any breed, Training A Protection Dog should never be done halfheartedly. Extensive hours of protection training are required to properly train any breed of canine. While most traditional trainers wouldnt choose this breed as one of their top picks as the best guard dogs, those that have tried were overly impressed by this breeds abilities. Pictured above: The American Pit Bull Terrier working in protection work with his owner. This dog breed is highly intelligent and trainable for any task. They are the number one pick for bomb detection dogs since this is a breed with an incredible amount of stamina and willingness to please. They are a dog breed that just refuses to give up.

3. The Cane Corso

The cane corso excels in attack dog training due to their massive size and ability to handle intruders of any size. The Cane Corso is a very large boned and muscular dog breed. This dog carries themselves very powerfully and are a noble breed. This is one of the two native Italian mastiff type breeds that are direct descendants of the Roman Canis Pugnaces. This breeds name comes from the latin language Cohors. Which in Latin terms means protector as well as guardian which is suitable for one of the top guard dogs. This may be a massive dog breed, but they still remain gentle with their family as well as children, making them rank in the top 10 best guard dogs.

4. The Rottweiler

The Rottweiler Protection Dog shown in this image is sponsored by Bully Max Dog Supplements. The Rottweiler is a strong and muscular dog breed weighing in well over one hundred pounds depending on its bloodline. This breed strives on being given a task to perform and are happiest when performing these tasks. They are a smart and obedient dog breed that would make an excellent service dog, police dog, protection dogs, or even a therapy dog. They are an inherent protector that is confident and responds quietly to situations. This dog breed analyzes his environment before reacting. Some dog breeders prefer the rottweiler as their number one choice in personal protection dogs.

5. The Dogo Argentino

A dogo argentino working a man in a bite suit The Dogo Argentino is a muscular dog breed that is very large and has a white hair coat. It was bred in Argentina specifically as a big game hunting dog. This included pumas as well as wild boar. The breeder of this dog was a man by the name of Antonio Martinez. He wanted to create a dog that showed bravery and a willingness to protect its owner to the death. It was first created in 1928 by breeding the Cordoba Fighting Dog along with a wide variety of other dog breeds that included the Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Boxer, as well as the Great Pyreness. Due to its genetic makeup, it would not only make a great companion, but a very suitable Russian Prison Dog. They are without a doubt one of the best protection dogs. Links and resources:

Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian Sheepdog) (Caucasian Ovcharka) (Kavkaskaia Ovtcharka) (Caucasian Owcharka) (Caucasian Mountain Dog) (Sage Ghafghazi) (Kavkazskaa Ovtcharka) (Caucasian Ovtcharka) (Russian Caucasian Ovtcharka) (Russian Caucasian)

"This majestic fellow is Tszakar, a purebred Caucasian Ovcharka imported from Russia by ThunderHawk Caucasians. Of giant size and legendary protection ability, this ancient and rare flock-guardian breed originated in the Caucasus Mountains of the former Soviet Union. Tszakar and friends appeared in the National Geographic Special, "Designer Dogs"a clip is available on the ThunderHawk website. Considered a natural breed, National Geographic presented the Caucasian in this documentary as an alternative to man-made breeds." Photo courtesy of ThunderHawk Caucasians

Find a Caucasian Shepherd Dog Breeder Place an Ad Rescue a Caucasian Shepherd Dog List Your Rescue
The Caucasian Shepherd has moderate deep-set, dark eyes. The ears are densely covered with hair for insulation. The hips are slightly raised from the line of the back. The tail is profusely covered with long feathering of heavy hair. The forelimbs are long, straight and densely boned. The paws are large and heavy, with hair between the toes, providing excellent insulation and protection. The nose Description is black and prominent with well opened, large nostrils. The thick, dense, weather-resistant coat has profuse feathering and is especially effective at keeping out the cold. Puppy coats are finer then adult coats. Colors vary from gray, fawn, tan, pied, brindle and white. The FCI prohibits brown dogs. In its native country the Caucasian Ovtcharka's ears are cropped short. The Caucasian Shepherd's original purpose was to protect livestock. The typical Caucasian Ovtcharka is assertive, strong-willed and courageous. Unless properly socialized and trained, the Caucasian Shepherd may exhibit ferocious and unmanageable tendencies. It is very brave, alert, strong and hardy. It does not accept people it does not know and it has a powerful urge to defend. Everything and everyone who belongs to the family, including children, cats, other dogs, etc., will be regarded by this dog as part of "its" family and will be respected and protected. This dog should not be left alone with children, because if play becomes too rough, the Caucasian Ovtcharka my feel the need to protect your child, Temperament and may do it extensively. It has no time for strangers, but it will greet family friends warmly. It can be rather dominant toward other dogs it does not know. Some German fanciers employ the dogs as foremost guardians and deterrents. This is not a dog for everyone. It requires an owner who knows how to display strong leadership and who is willing to spend a lot of time socializing and training. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other

humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. Height, weight Height: 25 - 28 inches (64 - 72 cm) Weight: 99 - 154 pounds (45 - 70 kg)

Health Problems The Caucasian Shepherd is not recommended for apartment Living life. They need space and will do best with at least a large Conditions yard. Because its thick coat protects it so well, it can happily cope with living outdoors provided it has proper shelter. This breed of dog is best suited to a family with lots of space surrounding the home where it can safely run free in an open area. When not working as a livestock guard, it should be Exercise taken for a daily, long walk where the dog is made to heel. It should never be allowed to walk out in front of the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Life About 10-11 years Expectancy There are two coat varieties: short and long. The coat of the long-haired variety requires frequent brushings, paying Grooming special attention to the spots where tangles may occur. The shorthaired variety needs less grooming, but should still be combed and brushed. The Caucasian Shepherd is a flock guardian developed from pre-historic molosser breeds in Caucasus by local herders. Caucasians are used to protect sheep from predators and thieves. These dogs always attract everybodys attention due to outstanding working qualities and a striking appearance. The lack of organized kennel clubs and written standards partly explains why the Caucasian Ovtcharka varied in type from country to country and even from locale to locale. For centuries, flocks Origin of sheep have existed in Caucasia, the mountainous land mass between the Black and Caspian seas and neighboring Turkey and Iran. Dogs similar to this superb guardian have protected these sheep from both humans and animal predators for at least 600 years. The Caucasian Shepherd is most popular in Russia. "Ovtcharka" means "sheepdog" in Russian. In Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union, it is commonly shown at dog shows. In Hungary, Poland and the Czech and Slovak Republics, extensive

breeding programs are ensuring that it remains a popular dog, even though its original use as a sheep guardian is declining. The Caucasian Ovtcharka arrived in East Germany in the late 1960s to serve as a border patrol dog, especially along the Berlin Wall. In 1989, when the Wall came down, the 7,000-strong band of patrol dogs was dispersed. Many of these dogs were given new homes with families throughout Germany. Careful breeding in Germany safeguards the future of this cautious and independent dog. It is likely that as its popularity increases, breeders will selectively breed out some of the fiercest protective personalities. Group Flock Guard Recognition FCI, NKC, CKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR, AKC/FSS

The Ovcharkas - What Are They?

Alisa's puppies (born on January 23, 2004).

Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Introduction Origin Physical Characteristics Behavior Assorted Photos Clubs and Breeders in the US [NEW!] English-Russian Dictionary of Dog Terms

Introduction
The word "ovcharka" (often spelled "ovtcharka", or "owtcharka"; pronounced "uhf-'chAr-ka") is a Russian word meaning something

between "livestock guardian dog", "shepherd's dog" and "sheepdog". In the Russian language "ovcharka" is used as a suffix in the names of many working breeds, including those that are not native to Russia, such as the German Shepherd Dog (nemetskaya ovcharka), Belgian Sheepdog (bel'giyskaya ovcharka), and many others. This may be somewhat confusing to a non-Russian reading Russian publications on dog breeds. The Ovcharkas native to Russia and/or the countries of the former Soviet Union include the following four breeds: the Caucasian Ovcharka (also known as: Kavkazskaya Ovcharka; Caucasian Shepherd or Sheepdog), Central Asian Ovcharka (other names include: Sredneaziatskaya Ovcharka; Central Asiatic Ovcharka; Central Asia Shepherd Dog; Middle Asian Ovcharka; Mid-Asiatic Sheepdog), South Russian Ovcharka (also referred to as Youzhnorusskaya Ovcharka or South Russian Sheepdog), and the East European Ovcharka.

Origin
The Caucasian and Central Asian Ovcharkas are ancient breeds belonging to the Asiatic type of dogs akin to the Tibetan Mastiff. Both breeds were originally bred by the shepherds for the protection of their livestock against large predators, such as wolves and leopards. The Caucasian Ovcharka comes from the Caucasus (both its mountain area, and the adjacent plains), which is the territory of the following modern states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia. The Central Asian Ovcharka originated in Central Asia, the huge region stretching from Caspian Sea in the west to the Pamirs in the east, and from the border between Russia and Iran and Afghanistan in the south to South Siberia in the north. Six modern countries - Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia - currently share that territory. The ancestors of the South Russian Ovcharka arrived in the steppe regions of South Russia, the Crimea plains, with the flocks of Merino sheep from Spain in the 18th century. Those relatively small sheepdogs soon drew the attention of the local shepherds. However, despite the dogs' outstanding ability to herd the flocks, they had a weak constitution making them vulnerable to predators, such as the steppe wolf, and the severe Russian climate. Yet, the steppe wolf was not so dangerous after all; most importantly, the local landowners wanted the dog to be able to protect their flocks, property and the game on their land against the much more serious threat of the Crimea Tartar thieves and poachers, who usually made their raids mounted. The canine newcomers from Spain were mixed with the Deerhound, Irish Wolfhound, and the dogs of the Tibetan origin. This crossing resulted in the large, rapid and agile dog that excelled in two different jobs: it could both help the shepherds to herd the flocks, and guard the livestock, property and game against the predators, thieves and poachers, even from the horsemen. The Caucasian, Central Asian, and South Russian Ovcharkas were later bred and perfected in the Soviet Union in the state-run kennels for the needs of the Army and the police, as well as the plant and warehouse security and livestock protection work. All efforts have been made to preserve the outstanding working abilities, strength and beauty of these breeds. Unlike the Caucasian, Central Asian and South Russian Ovcharkas, the East European Ovcharka is a relatively young breed. Its direct ancestor was the German Shepherd

Dog, which was introduced in Russia in 1904. In 1924 the German Shepherd Dog was chosen to become the main service breed in the Soviet Union for the needs of the Red Army and Stalin's Gulag, to guard millions of people sent to Siberian prison camps. However, the German Shepherd Dog of the original type did not fully match the Army and Gulag's requirements. Dogs with greater stamina, resistance to cold weather, stronger bite and better ability to fight people were needed. The careful breeding program was successful and resulted in the breed later called the East European Ovcharka. Although this breed remains one of the most popular working breeds in its native land, it is still not widely recognized outside Russia and often not distinguished from the "overgrown" German Shepherd Dog. Unfortunately, at the present time, no official standard exists for this breed; nor are carefully planned breeding programs followed by the clubs and breeding kennels, so the future of the East European Ovcharka is uncertain.

Physical characteristics
The Ovcharkas are powerful dogs of large or giant size. The Caucasian and Central Asian Ovcharkas have a powerful bone structure and a massive head. Compared to the first two Ovcharkas, the South Russian Ovcharka has a lighter build and is a little leggier. When shorn of its wool, it looks remarkably similar to the Doberman Pincher. The East European Ovcharka has sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated body with a solid bone structure.
Height in withers (in) Breed Dogs Caucasian Central Asian South Russian >25.6* >25.6* >25.6* Bitches >24.4* >23.6* >22.8* 23.6-25.6 Dogs Bitches Weight (lb.)**

132-198 88-143 121-176 88-143 88-132 90-154 77-99 80-120

East European*** 26.3-27.6

*Lower limit. Upper limit is not set by the standard. **Approximate figures. Weight is not set by the standards. ***At present time, there is no official standard for this breed.

The Caucasian Ovcharka has a long or medium-length coat with a well- developed undercoat. The most typical color is agouti gray. Other colors are allowed, except for red-and-white, solid black, black- and-tan, and solid brown. Ears are cropped short, and this, along with long fur on the sides of its head, gives the dog a bear-like appearance.

The Central Asian Ovcharka has a short, dense, close- lying coat with well-developed undercoat; it is said that do not stick to it. White, black, gray, fawn, reddish fawn and brindle colors are most common. Its ears are usually cropped, and the tail is docked.

The South Russian Ovcharka is covered with a very long, dense and slightly wavy double coat, which should be white or cream. Its ears are small and covered with long fur. The East European Ovcharka has a short, close-lying and very dense double coat, which is black, black-and-tan, gray, or fawn, with no white spots allowed. Completely white color is permissible. Its ears are erect and set high.

Behavior
All the Ovcharkas are well-balanced and even-tempered, suspicious of and aggressive toward strangers. However, the temperaments of these four breeds have a lot of features that make these breeds remarkably different from each other. As already noted, the Caucasian and Central Asian Ovcharkas were bred to protect the livestock from large predators, often with no man's assistance, rather than to herd the flocks under the supervision of the shepherd. (Read this real-life story!) This work made them very intelligent (as it comes to problem solving and making decisions) and, at the same time, very independent and strong-willed; they (esp., the Caucasians) are not easily trained for obedience. Typical of these two breeds is a somewhat low

activity level with an ability to instantly "explode" in the minutes of danger. Such a dog can look like a large phlegmatic lazybones to an intruder, until he comes too close to the dog and it's too late to run away. This interesting feature stems from the fact that more active dogs with higher "energy consumption rate" would not have survived in the conditions of the harsh weather, hard work and scarce feeding, under which these breeds developed. The East European Ovcharka's personality originates from its past as a herding dog: it is very intelligent, obedient and easily trained. As a guard dog, it can display its fine reflexes, lightning-quick attack and an ability to differentiate between "good" and "bad" guys. The South Russian Ovcharka's personality combines the features of both a livestock guardian, and a herding dog. The experts say that South Russians are similar to Dobermans not only in their build, but also in the temperament: it is very intelligent, energetic and impetuous. Being more submissive to its master than the Caucasian and Central Asian Ovcharkas, the South Russians still sometimes display too high aggressiveness toward other animals and people, which the owner should be prepared to deal with.

Assorted pictures of Alisa

Alisa would make an excellent hunting dog for big game; unfortunately, hunting big game with dogs is illegal in Pennsylvania, so I can only take Alisa with me when hunting squirrels and coyotes.

Clubs and Breeders in the US

My Central Asian Ovcharka Alisa RUSDOG was bred by Anna Frumina. Need more info? Visit this site again, I am going to update Anna's contact info soon. You can also send me an email (see contact info below).

All pictures in this site are digitally watermarked and

some of them are copyrighted by Webster Publishing. If you want to use any, ask me first! (C) D

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Central Asian Shepherd dog

Other names

Rus.- (Sredneaziatskaya Ovtcharka) Central Asian Ovtcharka CAO Aziat Russia[1] [hide]Traits

Nicknames

Country of origin

[show]Classification and standards Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Central Asian Ovcharka (/vtrk/; Russian: [srdnazatskj ftark]) is recognized by FCI, as a Molossoid type dog breed of Russian origin.[1] Most breed representatives reside in Russia, and local kennel club officials refer to Central Asians as one of the most popular dog breeds in the country, often rating it as the #1 breed.[2]

Contents

1 History 2 General appearance 3 Temperament 4 Exercise 5 Grooming 6 Working requirements and tests 7 Classification 8 References 9 External links

History
Central Asians most likely originated in a geographical area between the Ural, Caspian Sea, Asia Minor, and the Northwest border of China.[3] Aboriginal Central Asians as well as mixes still can be found in its countries of origin, such as Kyrgyzstan, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and surrounding countries.[4] Some serve as livestock guardians, some protect their owners, and some are used for dog fighting, which is a national tradition in many countries of that region. This breed bears a strong genetic similarity to other aboriginal breeds of Livestock Guardian dogs from that region such as Northern Caucasian Volkodav, Kangal dog, and Akbash.[5]

Central Asian Shepherd Dog. Young male

Central Asian puppy and young goat

Russian biologists and scientists have studied the local dog population[6] since the 18th century. After the Communist revolution, the Soviet government focused on working dog breeds for the Red Army, and imported the best breed representatives to Russia as per military dogs' and guard dogs' requirements. Over the decades, this

practice harmed the local population. The introduction of new breeds to the region led to crossbreeding. Eventually, purebred dogs only remained with herders, breed enthusiasts and farms, with a surfeit of crosses elsewhere.[7] However, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog population is still stable in general, reproducing some true quality dogs praised for working abilities, regardless of country of origin. Trading bloodlines and purchasing unrelated breeding stock between Russia, other "former USSR republics" (such as Ukraine, Belarus etc. ) and countries where CAO still at aboriginal stage is a common practice nowadays. This breed comprises numerous breed types. They differ in size, color, head types, and hair types. Central Asians tend to form a social group, consisting of different members bearing different duties; thus puppies with different working qualities are normally born in the same litter. These breed features, as well as different traditional names for the breed, give grounds for complications with breed standard. Most important, purebred Central Asians have unique breed characteristics.[8] Breedspecific dog anatomy includes exclusive features, such as very noticeable extremely flexible joints, false ribs, specific head set, and very strong neck with massive dewlap. Expressive, almost human eyes, revealing inimitable intelligence, finish the portrait.

Central Asian Shepherd puppies

For working qualities, modern Central Asians have been bred into different directions, depending on the demand for specific abilities. Traditional dog fights had always been a national tradition in places of original habitat, but they had never been cruel and destructive as pitbull-type fights. All herders from the same area annually met together, and fought their strongest sheep guardian male dogs to pick the winner. It was about dominance rather than destroying their own kind. Most dogs evaluated each other when met at the field and the weaker or more submissive dog left, taking the loss. Dogs seldom injured each other, inflicting mostly minor scratches within a short period of time. Only true leaders actually had to determine the strongest dog via a real fight; but this was minor, compared to their everyday duties, facing predators and venomous snakes.[9] They are the most powerful dogs of livestock guardian type dogs, not too much, but slightly more powerful than Caucasian Shepherd, Kangal, Akbash etc. Modern commercial dog fights often differ from traditional as much as livestock guardian

dogs differ from fighting dogs. There are different rules, and different breeds involved. Most Central Asians used for modern commercial fights come from fighting lines. The majority of breeders are aware of their dogs backgrounds, and will tell whether the dog comes from lines used for fighting. One can always expect a high level of aggression toward other dogs from CAOs with a dog fighting background. It is always important to distinguish whether a dog will display aggression only toward strange, unfriendly dogs entering their territory, while establishing and maintaining the usual social relationships with other animals on the premises; or will attack regardless of whether the other dog is a member of the same social group. Promiscuity in aggression toward strangers and friends is highly atypical for the breed. Central Asians are still in demand as livestock guardians, though not nearly as much as they used to be. These dogs, to differing degrees, are protective against human intruders; they are very territorial, safe with children; they love and respect elderly people, protect all small animals from predators, and are very gentle with family members.[10] Dogs for personal protection or working dogs originated from livestock guardian dogs, selectively bred by Russian breed experts for working abilities. As a result, they excel in obedience, territory protection, and personal protection, and are very intelligent. As such, they make perfect house dogs.[11] They do not need any complicated training to learn basic house rules, and treat the owner with the same great respect with which their ancestors treated the herder. These dogs were introduced to the worldwide sheep breeding community with great success. Guard dogs must be able to work as a team to protect sheep against predators; thus excessively aggressive CAOs, as with any other dogs, cannot be members of the pack, and will not pass this simple test for compliance with the breed origination purpose. Central Asian Shepherd dogs can come from working lines, fighting lines, and livestock guardian lines, and behave accordingly, regardless of the country they come from. Simple pedigree research and conversation with the breeder will reveal what basic instincts one can expect from the dog. Central Asians from pure show lines are very rare, because most registries require working tests prior to breeding.[12] Selected for centuries for their abilities to destroy predators, and praised for their power and stamina, Central Asians sometimes are called "Volkodav", "The Wolf Crusher" in Russian. It is very important to select only stable dogs for breeding purposes, and avoid starting protection training of dogs of this breed at early age.

General appearance
The breed presents a robust dog of greater than average size with great strength and power. They are independent, curious and alert, yet imperturbable. The dog is as long as it is tall at the withers, or slightly longer than its height. The hair is short or moderately long with a heavy undercoat. Its ears are, in practice, cropped very short, and the tail is docked moderately long (except for dogs from countries where cosmetic surgeries for dogs are illegal). Most common colors are black/white; fawn of different shades, from almost white to deep red; brindle. Some have a black mask. The head is very solid, without pronounced stop or sculls. The neck is low set, short,

with dewlap. The body is fairly broad, proportionate, muscles rather flat. The ribcage appears very long because of developed false ribs. The legs are straight, with heavy boning and moderate yet defined angulation. Leg bones must be in proportion, and shall never give the impression that any bone is short. The rump is broad. The typical gait is a gallop; however CAO can trot for hours without wearing themselves out.[13]

Temperament
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is a protective dog who bonds first to its human caretaker and next with its perceived possessions. Bred to solve problems, it is independent minded, strong, brave and responsible. It is a large but agile dog, sometimes described as a cat in dog's clothing. With its strong guarding and territorial instincts, it is not a breed for the novice owner. Sensitive and smart, the Central Asian Shepherd responds best to someone who can inspire loyalty while also providing strong leadership. Heavy-handed training will backfire with this breed; but respectful, thoughtful training will yield an undyingly devoted companion.

Exercise
The large Central Asian Shepherd Dog may spend a considerable amount of time moving around in its native lands, and this kind of slow but steady exercise is what it likes best. With a job to do and a piece of property to protect, it will find the highest spot and keep an eye on all that happens.

Grooming
Neither the longhaired nor shorthaired coat require a lot of grooming, but the thick undercoat results in heavy seasonal shedding twice a year.

Working requirements and tests

The Central Asian is a working breed of dog, and different breed fanciers organizations issue sets or rules and recommendations important to preserve dogs abilities to perform certain duties. This includes special tests to determine a dogs inborn qualities, and training degrees or titles aimed to show what the dog can learn to do. The National Breed Club in Russia developed a temperament test to reveal a dogs willingness and ability to protect the premises, as well as titles in Obedience (such as OKD), and in Protection (such as ZKS or KS) for dogs in most pedigrees from Russia and other countries of that region. There are several other types of tests and training titles, from simple to extremely complicated. Breed Clubs in European countries seldom have requirements, while common dog sports such as Schutzhund or IPO are not perfectly suitable for a Livestock Guardian dog. Some European Union Countries developed special tests for large breeds of dogs

aiming to reveal a dogs overall stability, such as The Mentality Assessment test in Sweden. Fight tests are common in countries where the breed is still in aboriginal stage, or in the process of formation. Despite adverse reputation of commercial dog fights, fight tests are aimed to reveal a dogs willingness and ability to fight predators. In countries with highly developed open field sheepherding, major livestock herd losses may be caused by predation from feral dogs and wolf-dog hybrids, and the livestock guardian dogs must be able to protect the sheep from those. The fight tests were established to maintain this important breed trait. And, finally, the real life test for the Central Asian is simply to be a farm dog, or herd protection dog, in any country. Information on Livestock Guardian dogs behavior and specifics can be found at Livestock Guardian Dog Association.

Classification
Aziat is a versatile, universal breed, and fits under different descriptions at a time, what is a reason for different Kennel Clubs to classify Central Asians under different dog breed groups. RKF, FCI recognized Russian Kennel Club, classified Central Asians as a working dog breed, reflecting tremendous results in obedience, protection and military-related training. Modern breeding requirements by leading Kennel Club in Russia include mandatory temperament test and training title, besides show rating. UKC fit them together with other Flock Guardians of similar breeds, matching breed natural sheep guarding abilities, proven by breeders and farmers in USA. FCI classified them as Molossoid dogs, sometimes described in different languages as Moloss or Molosser type dogs, likewise, reflecting the match by confirmation and common ancestry between CAO and related breeds.

References

Central Asian Ovcharka Home / O

For thousands of years, large, heavily-built dogs with cropped ears and tails have been used by the nomadic tribes of Central Asia to protect livestock from predators and other property from thieves. The breed developed as a result of rather harsh natural selection. The climate in the countries where the Central Asian Shepherd Dog developed ranges from hot and dry, to bitterly cold and windy. Only the hardiest of pups survived and only those with strong guarding instincts were allowed to stay with the flocks. Working Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are still found today in Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kirgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The breed is still very rare in the United States. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is a dog of great size with massive bone structure and powerful muscles. The body is slightly longer than tall. The head is massive. Ears are normally cropped close to the head but are naturally small, drop, and set low on the head. The tail is high set and thick at the base, and when undocked, hangs down to the hock with a sickle shape. Two coat lengths are accepted, but all are double-coated and thick. Gender differences are well expressed in this breed. Males are more massive and powerful; females are smaller and lighter in build. Dogs should be presented in hard, muscular condition. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog should be evaluated as a working livestock guardian dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to work. Honorable scars resulting from field work are not to be penalized. Fault: Obesity. For centuries, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog worked alone or together with several other dogs, without much intervention from the herdsmen, relying on its own intelligence and instincts to do its job. While these dogs are very devoted to their family members, they expect to be treated with respect. They are inclined to be suspicious of strange people or dogs. Central Asians are steady, even-tempered dogs who adjust well to change in their environment. When threatened, they react quickly and with complete seriousness. Central Asians are slow to mature and require extensive socialization and patient training techniques. This breed is hardy and able to adapt to a wide range of climates. Serious faults: Irritable, nervous or fearful dogs are to be severely penalized.

This is 18 month old male Anchar Akksakal, from kennel in USA "Alabaiusa" import from Ukraine,with the direct best pedigree lines from the most Famous and Legendary Alabai dogs from Turkmenistan: Tahmed, Gaplan, Abas, Akbai, Mosad, Kirizov's Babur, Red Elbars, Black and White Ekimen's, Ak-Ekimen -II, Karim (Aizenberg) and so

on. Time is the true judge and the Turkmen Alabai, who passed his life test with credit, lasting for 5 thousand years, has proved it. In the context of the pedigree of the Middle Asian sheep dog, there are a lot of types of the dogs that is related to the natural habitat of the origin of the Asian is quite large. Alabaiusa are determined to have and to breed the powerful dog , but not overloaded, volumetric, but not raw, big, but not long legged, with well developed guarding qualities.