Caucasian Shepherd Dog: The Proud Guardian

The origins of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed are very ancient and there are several schools of thought regarding its ancestors. Many believe that it is a direct descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, crossed with the Saint Bernard, while other theories suggest that it is a cross between ancient Mesopotamian mastiffs, which are also the direct ancestors of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and local wolves.

The breed originated in the steppes at the foot of the Caucasus mountain range, where the first forms of sheep farming began, prompting humans to seek a strong, large dog breed with a very courageous character to protect their flocks.

This breed is the result of years and years of selection and crossbreeding carried out in the famous Soviet “Red Star” kennels, where, starting in the 1950s, expert dog breeders from the Russian army were called upon to create a breed of dog capable of assisting guards at borders and military bases. This dog also became an official member of the Soviet army and was included in all military patrols.

However, its innate qualities as a sheepdog made it irreplaceable to humans. It manages and protects the flock from wolves and other predators and is a dog of great energy and courage. Since the 1970s, it has spread throughout Europe as a guard and defence dog, thanks to Polish, Czech and Hungarian breeders who emigrated to Western Europe after the break-up of the former Soviet bloc.

Character of the Caucasian Shepherd dog breed

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a calm, fearless dog that can recognise dangerous situations and is very protective of its family. It has a very good relationship with children, but it is a territorial dog and therefore wary of strangers, which makes it an excellent guard dog.

It has developed a strong protective instinct towards its family and flock, but it has a proud character and does not like to be submissive. It is important that it learns from an early age who to take orders from, but without ever damaging its dignity.

It does not like to be scolded for no reason and when it is followed by a balanced owner, it understands very well on its own if it has done something wrong.

It is very important not to incite it to aggression but to let it develop its protective instinct naturally. The Caucasian Shepherd is not suited to apartment living; it needs plenty of space to feel free, and any constraints can be a source of frustration and aggression.

Its natural predisposition, first to pastoral life and more recently shaped by military life, has made it a dog with a strong temperament, fearless and determined, but also perfectly controllable, which can live peacefully in an urban environment while maintaining exceptional physical power, self-confidence, trust in its own strength, fearlessness, keen hearing and exceptional eyesight, as well as a character that makes him ideal for children and the elderly.

Appearance of the Caucasian Shepherd dog breed

The Caucasian Shepherd is a large dog, with males standing 72 to 75 centimetres at the withers and weighing around 50-60 kilograms, but there have been specimens weighing up to 90 kilograms.

The difference between males and females is quite pronounced. Males are masculine, with a well-developed withers and a larger head than females. They are also more massive, larger and often shorter in body than females. In long-haired individuals, males have a very pronounced mane.

It is a large, strong dog with a massive bone structure and powerful muscles. It has an imposing appearance and a generous physique to adapt to cold climates and intense physical work.

During the winter, it will tend to accumulate more fat to maintain its body temperature, while in summer it will tend to lose weight and even hair to adapt to warmer temperatures.

The head is large, with a short muzzle and dark nose; its eyes are very expressive and deep-set, while its ears are pendulous. Its tail resembles a sickle.

There are three different varieties of Caucasian Shepherd Dog in terms of coat: the first has short hair, while the second and third have long hair with or without a mane and therefore require more care to prevent knots from forming.

The coat is straight, coarse, with a very well-developed undercoat. On the head and front legs, the coat is shorter and denser. The tail is also completely covered with dense hair and looks like thick fur. The colour is almost solid, sometimes mottled or spotted. The colouring varies between straw yellow, red, various shades of grey and white.

Health and care of the Caucasian Shepherd dog breed

The Caucasian Shepherd is a very robust dog and generally enjoys excellent health. Its average life expectancy is 10 to 12 years. However, it can be affected by degenerative diseases typical of large dogs, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and heart disease.

As for coat care, it should be brushed regularly to prevent knots from forming. Use a mild shampoo and bathe it no more than three times a year, as washing it more often can lead to fungal infections or other conditions. If it is very dirty, use dry cleansers or baby wipes.

Its diet must be balanced and it needs plenty of exercise. This is essential to prevent excessive weight gain, which could put strain on the musculoskeletal system.