The origin of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, exterior standard, character, description of his health, advice on care and training. Price when buying a Caucasian Shepherd puppy. The mere mention of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog evokes a variety of associations in people. Some of them have before their eyes the snow-capped ridges of the Caucasus Mountains, and huge shaggy dogs guarding flocks of sheep at their feet. Others have a dog of an unusually formidable and ferocious appearance, with bloodshot eyes, disapprovingly meeting passers-by at the gate. For some, the mention of the "Caucasian" evokes indescribable delight and admiration for the extraordinary enormity and majestic menacingness of the breed, while for others it is simply panic horror that has been forever preserved in memory after an unexpected meeting tete-a-tete with this giant. Such ambiguity and inconsistency in relation to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is only good for her, causing first curiosity, then interest and, ultimately, extraordinary popularity. After all, only about a gray mediocrity, which has neither a core nor a character, everyone judges the same, and more often - in no way.
The history of the origin of the Caucasian Shepherd
This dog or "Caucasian", as it is often called among dog lovers, descends from the large nomadic dogs, partially intersecting with the branch of the Central Asian shepherd dogs, now called Alabai, Tobets and Buribosars. The Central Asian Shepherd Dogs and "Caucasians", as shown by modern research, have common roots.
Scientists believe that the now extinct ancient Tibetan Great Dane may be the only reasonable hypothetical progenitor of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog (do not confuse it with the current Tibetan Mastiff, recreated by the works of English breeders). It is from the Old Tibetan Great Dane that all Molossian dogs that are present on Earth trace their history. The path of the molossians to Europe, which began several millennia BC, was very long and harsh. Initially: from Tibet to the Chinese Celestial Empire, then to the Manchu steppes of Mongolia and Transbaikalia and with hordes of nomads to the regions of Central and Asia Minor, to Mesopotamia. Then, with troops or trade caravans - to Greece, Rome and the Caucasus. And from there - throughout the European continent.
Over the millennia, the most diverse natural and climatic regions, molossians mixed their genotype with dogs of native species, as a result of which animals were born with a unique appearance, characteristic only for a certain area, and a wide variety of working talents. This is how Mongolian Shepherd Dogs appeared - Banhars, Central Asian Buribosars, Alabai and Tobets, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and many other large breeds.
The first appearance of guard dogs of the Molossian type in the Caucasus, as scientists believe, is associated with the presence of the so-called Derbent passage or the Albanian gates of the ancient (now the territory of Dagestan), which allows trading caravans to the Caspian and Scythian lands. It is difficult to say when exactly the molossians appeared in time. Perhaps during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great (VI century AD), who redirected the Great Silk Road bypassing Persia through the Caucasus Mountains, and maybe much earlier (some researchers believe that the "Caucasians" have existed for more than two thousand years) …
Be that as it may, the formation of the future breed took place not only as a result of natural selection, but also taking into account the national traditions of the peoples of the Caucasus, the working purpose of dogs, the features of the terrain and climatic conditions.
Thus, in isolated from the rest of the world, high-mountainous areas specializing in sheep breeding, a powerful species, sensitive and aggressive shepherd dogs with excellent guard and sentry instincts, capable of helping the shepherd not only with grazing, but also capable of independently defeating the main predator, the wolf, were highly valued. The isolation of such a dog's communication, its isolation from the outside world made it unusually loyal and loyal to the owner, who did not recognize any other power over himself except the power of one owner - the shepherd.
In areas subject to regular raids by other tribes, as well as robbers, abreks, the protective functions of the shepherd dogs were more focused on protection from humans. Such dogs were distinguished by increased suspicion, dislike and malice towards strangers, clearly differentiating the world around them into "ours" and "alien". All these qualities of different types of "Caucasians" are still preserved in the psychotype of the breed, manifested in one form or another.
The highlands required changes in the physiology and anatomy of the dog, which led to an increase in the chest and shortening of the limbs of the animal, forced to live in conditions of constant mountain ascents and descents and a lack of oxygen. The mountain cold made the shepherd "put on" a warm fur coat. The exterior of the dogs of the flat area has formed more slender and long-legged, in comparison with the squat and powerful appearance of dogs that live in the mountains and are able to fight a wolf.
Gradually, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog spread not only in the mountainous regions of Georgia, Dagestan, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kabarda, but also in the steppe areas of the North Caucasus and Kuban, as well as in the Caspian lowlands, in Kalmykia and in northern Kazakhstan.
The planned selection of Caucasian wolfhounds began only in the late 1920s, when the young Republic of Soviets needed powerful strong guard dogs capable of carrying out their service in cold conditions. Prior to that, in tsarist Russia, "Caucasians" were only occasionally attracted to guard duty - during the conquest of the Caucasus, they guarded the outposts and fortresses of the Russian army.
Thanks to the active selection of the breed, carried out in the 30s of the XX century in the state nurseries of Georgia and the North Caucasus, these dogs were brought to the Orenburg and Kuibyshev regions, to Western Siberia and the Urals. Nurseries were created in Moscow and Leningrad. The Second World War that began soon disrupted plans for the further development of the breed; many individuals used in the active army died at the front. After the end of the war, everything had to be started anew. It took ten years of painstaking selection work to revive the breed. But the results fully justified the efforts spent - excellent specimens of the Caucasian Shepherd Dogs were obtained, presented at the Paris World Dog Show in 1970.
In 1990, the long-awaited official recognition of the "Caucasians" by the International Cynological Federation (FCI) took place.
Purpose and use of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The modern use of these canines has hardly changed. In the Caucasus, they still graze and guard livestock, guard houses and outbuildings. Dogs find similar applications in other regions.
As a pet, the Caucasian wolfhound is rare, it is too huge and inconvenient for home or apartment maintenance. More often the "Caucasian" is brought up to participate in exhibitions and championships, and sometimes for dog fights, keeping her in a spacious aviary.
External standard of the Caucasian Shepherd
The representative of the breed is a dog with a memorable unique appearance and excellent large posture of the Molossian dog. The size at the withers of an adult "Caucasian" reaches 75 centimeters. Even the smallest dog of this breed has a height of at least 68 centimeters. Females are slightly smaller, with a height of about 67–70 centimeters. The body weight of these dogs is also impressive, reaching from 50 to 75 kg in males and 45-65 kg in females.
- Head The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is large, massively square, with a wide wedge-shaped skull. The frontal part of the skull is flat, with a small but distinct longitudinal groove. The superciliary arches and the occipital protuberance are well developed, but without a clear selection. The stop (transition from forehead to muzzle) is quite noticeable, but not sharp. The muzzle of a shepherd dog is wide, full, of moderate length, narrowed towards the nose. The lips are thick and dry, evenly pigmented. The bridge of the nose is straight, wide, not too long (sometimes short). The nose is large, with large nostrils. The color of the nose in solid piebald and spotted dogs is black. There are individuals of "Caucasians" with a lighter nose, but, as a rule, with a coat color that is not allowed by the standard. The jaws of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very powerful. Teeth (set - 42 teeth) are white, large, with large canines. The bite is firm, maybe scissor-like or straight. The presence of broken canines or incisors in a dog does not affect the score.
- Eyes rounded, rather small in size, with oblique and slightly deep set, with a wide set. The standard defines eye color for a fairly large spectrum: from a wide variety of shades of hazel to hazel. The eyelids of the "Caucasian" are tight-fitting. Fairly dry and well pigmented with black color. The look is serious, attentively evaluating, without a shadow of fear or fear.
- Ears Set wide and high, triangular in shape, medium-sized, thick and strong, drooping. Ears may be docked short or left as they are. This does not affect the assessment.
- Neck low set, powerful and distinctly muscular, of medium length, with a distinct nape (especially in males).
- Torso Molossian type Caucasian Shepherd Dog, very well balanced in size, powerful and muscular. The chest is deep, long and broad, very well developed. The back is very strong, straight and wide. The withers are well defined. The line of the back is raised to the croup. The rump is strong, of moderate length, slightly sloping towards the tail. The belly is moderately tucked up.
- Tail set high, sickle-shaped or curled into a ring, rather long (up to the hock). In a calm state, it is lowered, in an agitated state, it is raised above the line of the back.
- Limbs straight, moderately long, parallel and set wide apart, well muscled. The bones of the limbs are wide. Feet are rounded, arched, tightly knit.
- Wool hard (even rough), straight, not close to the body. The undercoat is well developed, dense and very warm. Wool length - from 5 centimeters or more. On the head and limbs it is shorter, and on the tail, on the contrary, it is very long and fluffy. The outer hair can form "tassels" on the ears and fringes in the form of "pants" on the backs of the limbs. On the neck (more often in males) there is a fluffy and thick "mane".
- Color standard dogs - solid piebald or spotted. The international standard excludes the color of black, weakened black, liver or blue color (as well as their combinations) in the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Description of the Caucasian character of the wolfhound
The nature of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is truly a "by the town". What has not been invented about these glorious and proud dogs. It comes to the point that some "inventors", who are completely ignorant of the history of the breed's creation, and are completely unfamiliar with the real character, portray this unique dog as just some kind of bloodthirsty monster. But this is not at all the case.
Indeed, millennia of relatively isolated existence of the breed and the special requirements imposed on it have left their mark - the Caucasian wolfhound is actually famous for its independent and aggressive character towards strangers. It is really difficult to call him overly friendly and affectionate. But this only applies to people unfamiliar or unfamiliar to a suspicious dog, especially if he is engaged in a specific business - for example, guarding the house.
In other cases, and especially in relations with the owner and his family, the Caucasian wolfhound always shows poise and amazing obedience. Especially if at an early age he received the correct upbringing. Then there can be no question of any inadequacy or increased aggressiveness. A well-mannered dog is able to show absolute restraint and composure even in the most difficult situations. He always expects the necessary command and never rushes out just like that.
It is the same with barking. It has been noticed that the working "Caucasian" barks only when necessary, giving a signal to the shepherd or the owners. And the exhibition wolfhound, spoiled by attention and accustomed to the manifestation of disobedience, often torments its owners and others with constant, almost incessant barking. And worse - howling or loud whining. More often, if he is left alone and cannot cope with loneliness. Therefore, starting such a pet, it is necessary from puppyhood to accustom him to self-sufficiency and discipline in order to rid himself of the endless complaints of neighbors.
"Caucasian" is unusually smart and quick-witted. He perfectly feels people, their strength and power. Possessing a certain dominance and independence of character, it obeys only strong personalities and always remains faithful to its first master. Even submitting, it still requires respect and attention to itself. Loves praise and tasty encouragement. He perfectly understands what he is being scolded for, and can be offended only in case of unreasonable punishment.
The Caucasian wolfhound is a wonderful dog that can become a reliable friend and universal assistant for its owner, always remaining faithful and loyal.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health
Representatives of the breed are animals obtained as a result of centuries of natural selection, without the use of inbreeding and crosses with other breeds of dogs. Therefore, they have almost perfect health and a strong immune system that allows them to successfully overcome infectious diseases.
Nevertheless, veterinarians note that this shepherd dog has some predisposition to dysplasia of the elbow and hip joints (especially in those lines of "Caucasians" where breeders seek to enlarge individuals), as well as arthrosis of varying severity. There is a tendency to endocrine disorders, diabetes mellitus and thyroid problems.
The life expectancy of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog with careful care, timely vaccinations and favorable conditions of detention reaches 11 years. Sometimes dogs reach a more advanced age.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog Care Tips
The Caucasian wolfhound does not require any other privileges in terms of content. All the standard recommendations for large dogs with rich fur are quite suitable for him.
As for nutrition, in the homeland of the dog in the Caucasus, the owners prefer to feed it with natural food, regularly giving meat and offal. And the logic here is simple: "If a dog is a beast, then it must eat meat", "A dog and a dog's bite" or "You can't throw meat into a dog." In general, the diet is exclusively - the master's business!
Features of training and education of the Caucasian Shepherd
This breed belongs to dog breeds that are quite complex. Therefore, independent education of such a strong and formidable dog can become an insurmountable problem for an inexperienced owner who first decided to have a dog. Therefore, it is best to entrust the training of the "Caucasian" to a cynologist who has extensive experience in raising dogs of this type.
If the shepherd is planned to perform at the championships, it is imperative to conduct a special ring-training (also under the guidance of an experienced specialist), otherwise titles and medals will not be seen even with the most beautiful exterior of your pet.
Price when buying a Caucasian Shepherd puppy
In Russia, the cost of a medium-breed Caucasian Shepherd puppy is in a wide range from 15,000 to 45,000 rubles.
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