# Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Also known as: Caucasian Ovcharka, Kavkazskaya Ovcharka, Caucasian Mountain Dog
- **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2)
- **Size:** Giant
- **Origin:** Caucasus region
- **Height:** 64–75 cm
- **Weight:** 45–70 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 10–11 years
- **Temperament:** Protective, Fearless, Independent, Territorial, Loyal
- **FCI standard:** No. 328

A huge, powerful livestock guardian from the Caucasus Mountains, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a confident, territorial protector for experienced owners.

## Overview

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a large livestock guardian dog from the Caucasus region. It was bred to defend flocks against wolves and thieves.

It is a serious guardian, not a casual pet, and needs space, socialisation and a firm, experienced owner.

## History

Dogs like these served shepherds in the Caucasus Mountains for centuries, with regional types that differed in size and build. Dogs from Georgia were regarded as the best and most uniform.

From about 1920 Soviet breeders selected among these varieties to create the modern breed, first described scientifically by Aleksandr Mazover. The FCI accepted it in 1984. Some dogs have worked as prison guards in Russia.

## Appearance

This is a large, heavily built dog weighing about 45 to 70 kg. Preferred height is 72 to 75 cm for males and 67 to 70 cm for females.

The breed has a broad head, a thick neck and a dense coat that can be long, with a mane-like ruff. It closely resembles the Kars dog.

## Temperament

The Caucasian is confident, fearless and protective, with a strong guarding instinct and distrust of strangers. It is usually devoted to its family.

It is independent and can be dominant, so early and thorough socialisation and consistent training are essential. Supervision around visitors and other dogs is needed.

## Care and exercise

This breed needs space, a secure high fence and regular exercise, and does best with a job such as guarding property. It is not suited to small flats or novice owners.

Brush the thick coat several times a week, daily during moulting. Heat is hard on them, so provide shade and cool places.

## Health

Large, heavy dogs of this kind are prone to joint problems. Reported life expectancy is about 10 to 11 years, though a small 2024 study found a much shorter median lifespan from a very small sample.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 3
- Exercise needs: 3
- Grooming: 3
- Shedding: 4
- Trainability: 2
- Barking: 3
- Good with children: 2
- Good with other dogs: 1

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/caucasian-shepherd-dog
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_Shepherd_Dog · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38576
Photo: Pleple2000 (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Owczarek_kaukaski_65556.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.