General Information

Dog NameCaucasian Shepherd dog
Other NamesCaucasian Mastiff
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeMastiff
GroupShepherd
Breed ForHerding and protecting livestock
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginGeorgia

Physical And Size

SizeSmallest

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentMajestic, Courageous, Gentle
Prey DriveYes
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyLow
Child FriendlyMedium
Cat FriendlyLow
Dog FriendlyLow
Office FriendlyLow
Apartment FriendlyLow
Senior Citizens FriendlyLow
Service DogLow
Search and Rescue DogLow
Biting PotentialMedium
Country of OriginGeorgia
Nicknames and Other NamesCaucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Mastiff,
Caucasian Mountain Dog
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred (shepherd dog)
GroupShepherd Dog
Bred ForHerding livestock and
protecting them from predators
SizeLarge-sized
Recognized ByAKC, FCI, UKC,
Life Span10-12 years
Ideal WeightMale: 110-220 pounds
Female: 100-180 pounds
Ideal HeightMale: 28-35 inches
Female: 26-31 inches
Fur TypeStraight, dense, coarse
Common ColorsBlack, Gray, Grizzle, Sable, White, Rust,
Black and Gray, Fawn, Agouti and White,
Red, Cream
MarkingsPiebald, Brindle markings,
White markings
AvailabilityWidely available
AchievementsNone
Suitable for ApartmentsNot suitable
Used in World WarNone
Most Similar ToTornjak

Caucasian Shepherd dog breed, due to its great size is very powerful. They are strongly muscled and heavily boned in proportion to their height.

This giant canine is featured with a large head, blunt muzzle with high hanging ears and deep-set, oval-shaped ears and a thick tail which hangs down on the hock.

Origin

The Caucasian Shepherd is one of the oldest breed, most ancient Molosser breeds. The origin of this breed is a bit of mystery. They were thought to come from wolves that were domesticated, while others believe that their ancestry includes Mastiffs and other breeds.

Many experts claim that these dogs are descended from sheepdogs who migrated from Tibet, but according to some modern archaeological evidence, the breed dates back to Mesopotamia.

These giant dogs were bred to guarded flocks of sheep and their owners from dangerous wildlife such as wolves, jackals, and bears. During their job, they need to be strong and fearless while being resilient to cold weather and harsh conditions.

The dog shows, known as Caucasian Ovcharka, were created by the USSR during the 1900s mainly using the Caucasian Shepherd dogs.

Now, Caucasian shepherd dog is a fully standardized breed recognized by the major kennel organizations, including FCI, AKC, and UKC.

Are they child-friendly?

Despite their large size, the Caucasian Shepherds are very loving family pets. They are very loyal and gentle towards children, especially if raised together. But if not socialized properly since their early age, then they can be harmful to children.

While visiting children, they need a calm and proper introduction with known humans present.

As with any other dog, kids need to be supervised during play and teach on how to handle animals to avoid an incident.

Behavior, Temperamnet and Personality

The giant Caucasian Shepherd dog is assertive, strong-willed and courageous. They can be an excellent family pet unless properly trained and socialized early. These dogs are brave, alert and strong and can be aggressive toward people they don’t know.

They tend to show love and gratitude towards the people of his own family. He is very protective towards its family member including, the children, cats, and other pets.

The Caucasian Shepherd dog should not be left alone with children, because if the play becomes too rough, then he may feel the need to protect your child and may do it extensively.

These dogs are not for everyone, they require someone who knows how to show strong leadership and who can give them enough time in socializing and training

Trainabilty

Training a giant dog-like Caucasian is no simple task, this intelligent breed should be trained properly as they are uncontrollable and can be extremely dangerous for new people.

They may be stubborn at times and may not show interest in learning things but as a leader, you must be in control at all times.

Positive training methods can help you the most, they don’t respond to harsh or abusive training. As they are proud dogs, they don’t take kindly to be beaten or threatened.

Facts

Facts for the future owner of Caucasian shepherds :

  • They are well suited for life outdoors
  • If you are looking for a strong guard dog, then he is for you
  • He may not be the best choice for a family with kids
  • They need proper grooming regularly.

Health

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesObesity, Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease,
Elbow Dysplasia, Cataracts
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Canine Distemper, Canine Parainfluenza,
Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough,
Canine Coronavirus, Canine Parvovirus
SheddingAverage Shedding
DroolingHigh Drooler
GroomingModerate and Advance Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialHigh
Separation AnxietyLow to Moderate Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 30%
Fat: 12%
Glucosamine
Multivitamins
Probiotics

The Caucasian is generally a healthy dog with long-lived. Some dogs of these breeds may have some common health issues, such as:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Obesity
  • Occasional heart problems,

Color

The Caucasian Shepherds are found in different colors, such as:

  • Black
  • Cream
  • Gray
  • Silver
  • White
  • Yellow

Puppies

These giant dog breed naturally give birth 5-10 puppies at a time. Puppies of this breed are born black and than gradually lighten. Caucasian pups start showing their natural aggression from the very first of their 3 weeks age. So it is essencial for you to socialize them the day they are added to your family.

Which Dogs Are They Similar Too?

Dogs similar to this breed are:

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