Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Other names: Kavkazskaïa ovtcharka

The Caucasian Shepherd dog is a guard dog; a task this breed was most probably always destined to do. Their attitude, appearance and character highlight their use for defence, and not for herding flocks, although they have had to perform these two roles in the past. Today, the Caucasian Shepherd dog is strong, stable and calm, yet extremely responsive. Although very courageous dogs, who are obedient to their owners and indifferent towards strangers, they can bite when provoked.
Key facts about the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
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Origins and history
As with all other Russian breeds, we know practically nothing regarding the Caucasian Shepherd Dog due to the great difficulties that dog breeders encounter when trying to obtain information regarding the origin and history of dogs from the former Soviet Union. Contacts are now much easier; but the Russians themselves have no accurate information because this dog was mainly bred by Caucasian shepherds and were virtually unknown outside this habitat. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog began appearing on international rings from 1979 and are now a rather widespread and appreciated breed. They are most likely descendants from ancient Tibetan mastiffs (see Central Asian Shepherd).
Physical characteristics of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Adult size
Female : Between 26 and 28 in
Male : Between 28 and 30 in
Weight
Female : Between 99 and 132 lb
Male : Between 110 and 143 lb
Coat colour
All uniformed coloured, black and white or speckled, are official, apart from all shades of black, blue or liver brown.
Type of coat
The coat may be long, mid-length or short.
Their coat is straight, coarse and spread out. Their undercoat is dense.
Long-haired Caucasian Shepherd Dogs (Mountain type) have a mane on their neck, fringes on their legs, a petticoat on the backs of their thighs and a bushy tail.
Short-haired Caucasian Shepherd Dogs (Mountain type) do not have manes, long hairs on their tail, fringes or petticoats.
Mid-length haired Caucasian Shepherd Dogs (Intermediary type) also do not have manes, fringes or petticoats.
Eye colour
Their eyes range from dark brown to hazel.
Description
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a solid, robust dog with a very strong build and muscle structure. Their head, with a broad skull and well-developed zygomatic bone, resembles that of a bear. The muzzle is shorter than the skull, slightly slender; the nose is large and black. Their eyes are small, oval-shaped and sunken; their ears are floppy and set high on top of their head. They have a straight, broad and muscular back and their limbs are straight and parallel, with a long bone structure. The tail, high-set and reaching to the bottom of the knee, hangs as a plume, a sickle or curls in a ring-like shape at the end.
Good to know
Difficulties are sometimes encountered in Caucasian breeding because this breed is very prolific (litters of 15 to 16 are considered “normal”) and it is naturally difficult for the mother to oversee such a large offspring.
Varieties
Temperament
Behaviour of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
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Compatibility
Price
The price of a Caucasian Shepherd varies according to its origins, age and sex. A pedigree usually costs around £1030.
Regarding the average budget needed for a dog of this size, it costs around £60 a month.
Grooming
Kavkazskaya Ovtcharka, as called in its native country, needs regular upkeep to maintain the beauty, cleanliness and especially the protective qualities of their magnificent, thick fur. Long-haired varieties will need to be brushed several times a week.
Shedding
Hair loss is quite important, especially during the two annual moults, throughout which brushings must be done on a daily basis to get rid of the maximum amount of dead hair.
Nutrition of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
This dog’s diet is proportional to its weight and size. During their development, a strict veterinary follow-up is to be established in order to ensure a solid growth.
Not particularly fussy, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can eat dry foods (high quality biscuits), raw foods (Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods – BARF), or home-cooked meals.
Given their size, the daily ration should be divided into two meals: a light meal in the morning (could be wet food, such as from cans) and a larger meal in the evening.
Health of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of this breed is around 10 years.
Strong / robust
This mountain-looking dog is particularly robust and generally healthy.
Withstand heat
Water must always be available to them. In the summer, it is best to set up an area in the shade (an outside kennel) or for them to go into the house in order to keep cool.
Withstand cold
Their thick fur and highly developed undercoat give them excellent protection against the cold and bad weather. They are able to live outside with no problem.
Tendency to put on weight
The Caucasian can easily gain weight if they don’t keep moving. In fact, staying enclosed in the garden without ever really being able to exert themselves physically can lead to risks of becoming overweight.