Karst Shepherd Dog

A mix of iron grey, light grey and sandy colours. 

The Karst has a long and abundant topcoat and undercoat. Its head and front parts of its legs are covered with shorter hair. Thick and long fur around the neck forms a mane. 

Dark brown or chestnut.

A muscular and robust dog. The head is slightly large proportionally than it should be; nicely shaped and wide from the skull to the muzzle. The ears are relatively high on the head but hang against the cheek. Its sabre-shaped tail is broad and well-feathered. 

An affectionate dog is the trained and well-socialised Karst, but it tends to choose one favourite from its pack.  

This is a dog that will play on its own terms and when it wants to. It will want to be in control of any playtime that ensues. It may become possessive of its toys.

This is a fiercely alert dog who will not sit still for long periods of time. Among its family it will generally be calm and relaxed.  

An intelligent dog, the Karst feeds off exercise and commands. Left to its own devices the Karst will become troublesome. 

The Karst is a herding dog rather than a hunter. It is not likely to exhibit predatory behaviour but it will exhibit aggressive defence of its owner. 

Karsts tend to be very wary of new people and take some time to warm to a visitor in their home. The dog may even adopt a defensive behaviour because it feels threatened by the new arrivals. 

The Karst has a strong and wilful individuality. It does not take well to being told what to do. 

The Karst will tolerate solitude up to a point.  

A firmness and confidence are needed of a trainer of this dog. The Karst is easily distracted, easily bored and will always seek to take control of a situation. 

Because this dog is always alert and has a strong instinct to protect it tends to bark at anything it thinks is threatening the household. 

Even well-trained dogs of this breed may not respond to a recall. It will consider itself the pack’s leader if given the opportunity to roam. 

If it is not properly looked after the Karst can cause extensive damage inside the house. 

The Karst is not known to be a glutton. 

The Karst is an excellent watchdog. Its bark is backed up by fearless defensive behaviour and sharp temperament. 

The Karst should not be considered as a first dog. The dog requires the type of rigorous and structured training more associated with that of service dogs.  

A well-fenced garden is an insufficient provision for this dog, and a flat is too small and confined a space in which to keep such a highly-strung animal. 

The Karst needs a great deal of exercise in order to stay healthy and calm. 

A well-trained Karst will tolerate travel. 

This dog is not suited to a household where a non-canine pet already resides. 

Generally speaking, other dogs are not the friend of the Karst. This dog is very territorial. 

On the whole this breed may be gentle with older children, but its dislike of boisterous play and teasing makes it an unsuitable playmate of young children.  

Because it is a dog that requires a lot of exercise the Karst is not a good choice for people of senior years. 

The Karst sheds continuously throughout the year. 

Overall the Karst is a healthy breed of dog. Its average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.

This dog is robust, fearless and confident. 

The Karst is reasonably tolerant of hot weather. 

The Karst is very tolerant of cold and wet weather. The coat must be dried thoroughly after a wet walk. 

If a Karst is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food it will become obese. 

• Hip dysplasia
• Malignant hyperthermia

Records of the Karst show a lineage dating back several centuries; it is mentioned in a Slovenian chronicle of 1689. The breed was officially recognised in 1939.