South Russian Shepherd Dog

A mixture of white, yellow, ivory and grey colours is seen of this dog’s coat. 

The coat of this dog is long, thick and abundant. The fur of the face gives rise to the appearance of a ‘moustache’ and ‘eyebrows’. The outer coat is thick and coarse; the undercoat thick and soft. 

Dark to light-brown.

This long-bodied and elegant dog is strong-boned and muscular. It does not have a stocky appearance and looks to be well-proportioned. There is a significant size difference between the bitch and the dog. This is a quick and agile dog. 

The Ovcharka has a pleasant personality and is affectionate but it will not suffer fools. Training is required to eek out the best side of this dog’s temperament. 

An active dog that likes to play and interact but will do so in its own time and on its own terms.

This dog does not enjoy surprises, loud noises or sudden movements, which could cause him to be agitated and aggressive.

This is a highly intelligent dog. Its training needs to be varied and done so in a forthright manner. 

The Ovcharka is a herding dog. Generally speaking, it does not have an inherent wish to chase and to kill. 

This dog is exceptionally nervous around strangers and will either be aloof or defensive. 

Ovcharkas are independent thinkers. They are loyal but they enjoy roaming and will do so with little or no instruction. 

Ovcharkas do not tolerate solitude. If left alone for long periods of time this dog becomes agitated.

The Ovcharka is a challenge to train. A confident and dominant master who consistently varies the dog’s training is needed. Ovcharkas have a tendency to test the pecking order of the pack. 

The Ovcharka is not considered a very vocal dog.

The Ovcharka can be manipulative. If its owner has allowed the dog to think of itself as being ‘in charge’ it will do what it likes when out for a walk. 

The Ovcharka can be very destructive if it is stressed or lonely. 

Ovcharkas are not known to be prone to greed.  

Ovcharkas are exceptionally alert and quick to fright. They will bark to let you know if a stranger is nearby.

The Ovcharka will not do as a first dog. It needs a firm (humane) hand during its formative years. An experienced owner who can manage the stubbornness and dominant nature of the dog is called for. 

A large garden is required for this dog to roam. It will not be happy to live in a flat; it is far better suited to living in the country. 

An exceptionally energetic dog is the Ovcharka; outdoor adventures are called for. 

Because it is easily frightened, it is assumed the Ovcharka will not travel well. 

Although an Ovcharka is not known for its high prey drive, it will still be interested in small scurrying animals and will enjoy chasing anything that moves. 

Ovcharkas generally exhibit aggression when they meet other dogs.

The Ovcharka is a nervous dog and will not tolerate being played with roughly, taunted or deliberately scared. It may also try to assert dominance over small children. 

Because it is a dog that requires lots of exercise the Ovcharka may not be the perfect choice of dog for someone of senior years. 

The Ovcharka sheds throughout the year. 

The Ovcharka is generally healthy and robust. Its average life expectancy is between 10 to 14 years. 

A Ovcharka will not care what the weather is like as long as it is outdoors. This is a brave and adventurous dog that can walk for miles at a time.  

The Ovcharka tolerates hot weather reasonably well. 

The double coat of the Ovcharka keeps the dog warm in bad weather. 

Weight gain can be a feature of the Ovcharka. If your Ovcharka is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food it will become obese. 

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Bloat

There is little evidence of the exact origin of the Ovcharka. However, some evidence shows a development of the breed in 1790. The Russian Ovcharka is thought to have been born of various mixes of Austrian shepherding dogs and Russian sighthounds. This dog is rarely seen in the United Kingdom.