{"data":{"slug":"karst-shepherd","name":"Karst Shepherd","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/karst-shepherd","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/karst-shepherd","also_known_as":["Karst Shepherd Dog","Kraški ovčar","Kraševec"],"kind":"breed","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"molosser","label":"Mastiff \u0026 Mountain","fci_group":2,"fci_group_name":"Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs"},"size":"Large","origin":"Slovenia","countries":["Slovenia"],"height_cm":{"min":54.0,"max":63.0},"weight_kg":{"min":25.0,"max":42.0},"life_expectancy_years":{"min":11,"max":13},"temperament":["Watchful","Strong-willed","Reserved with Strangers","Protective","Loyal"],"exercise_level":"Medium","wikipedia_views_60d":1848,"summary":"The Karst Shepherd is a medium-large Slovenian livestock guardian with a long iron-grey coat, an independent character and a serious guarding instinct.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/karst-shepherd-ef5529fa98-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/karst-shepherd-ef5529fa98-640.webp","width":1280,"height":1035,"author":"Pleple2000","license":"CC BY-SA 3.0","license_url":"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Owczarek_kraski_654.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T14:50:05Z","ratings":{"energy":3,"exercise":3,"grooming":3,"shedding":4,"trainability":3,"barking":3,"kids":3,"other_dogs":2},"coat":"Long, thick double coat with a mane","colors":["Iron grey"],"fun_fact":"The first documented name for the breed in 1939 was Illyrian Shepherd, before it took its name from the Karst plateau.","sections":{"overview":"The Karst Shepherd is a livestock guardian from Slovenia, named after the Karst plateau. It is a medium-sized dog with a long, thick iron-grey coat that forms a mane around the neck.\n\nIt is strong-willed and distrustful of strangers, and with good socialisation and training it can also be a family companion.","history":"The ancestors of the breed travelled with shepherds across the Karst region, probably arriving with ancient nomadic pastoralists. In 1689 the ethnographer Valvasor mentioned strong, fearless shepherd dogs from the Pivka area.\n\nIn the 20th century the landrace was documented as a modern breed, first under the name Illyrian Shepherd in 1939. The FCI recognises it in Group 2, and it has also reached the United States.","appearance":"A medium-sized dog with a long, thick iron-grey coat, a black nose, almond-shaped dark eyes and flat, medium-sized ears. The tail has a slight hook at the tip.\n\nDogs stand 57 to 63 cm and weigh 30 to 42 kg; bitches stand 54 to 60 cm and weigh 25 to 37 kg.","personality":"The standard describes a sharp temperament and strong individuality, with distrust of strangers. It is a good guard dog.\n\nWell socialised from a young age, with people or livestock depending on its job, it can become a good family dog, though individuals vary.","care":"This dog needs early, thorough socialisation, firm and fair training and space to patrol. Daily exercise and a purpose suit it best.\n\nThe long coat should be brushed regularly, particularly during seasonal moulting."},"recognition":{"fci_number":278,"fci_standard_url":"https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/278.html","akc_url":null},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst_Shepherd","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37954","wikipedia_revision":1276459398},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:59:38Z"}}}