# Šarplaninac Also known as: Sharplanina, Sharr Dog, Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog, Illyrian Shepherd Dog, Ilirski Ovčar, Sar Planina - **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2) - **Size:** Large - **Origin:** North Macedonia - **Height:** 58–62 cm - **Weight:** 30–45 kg - **Life expectancy:** 11–13 years - **Temperament:** Protective, Independent, Loyal, Calm, Territorial A large Balkan livestock guardian named after the Šar Mountains. Strong, independent and devoted to its flock or family, it is a serious protector rather than an easy pet. ## Overview The Šarplaninac is a large, strongly built livestock guardian from the Šar Mountains in the Balkans. It was bred to stay with flocks of sheep and cattle and to protect them from predators. It is independent, watchful and very loyal, and is best suited to experienced owners with space and a clear role for the dog. ## History The origins of the breed are unknown, but dogs of this type travelled with large flocks as they moved between mountain summer pastures and warmer winter grounds. In Ottoman times they wintered in Thessaly, where they were known as Greek Shepherd Dogs. The FCI recognised the breed in 1939 as the Illyrian Shepherd Dog and renamed it Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog in 1957. The conflicts of the 1990s greatly reduced numbers, and North Macedonia and Serbia were later named as countries of origin. ## Appearance A large, powerful dog with a thick coat. Males weigh about 35 to 45 kg and stand around 62 cm at the withers on average, while females are lighter and a little smaller, at around 58 cm. The coat is dense and rough, in solid colours from white to dark grey. ## Temperament A calm and dignified dog at home, but a fearless guardian when it senses a threat. It is devoted to its family, wary of strangers and quite independent, so it needs early socialisation and firm, patient and consistent handling. ## Care and exercise It needs space, a secure fence and meaningful tasks, ideally a home on a farm or large property. Daily walks and plenty of time outdoors suit it well. Brush the coat several times a week and more during seasonal moulting. ## Health A fairly robust working breed with a typical lifespan of about 11 to 13 years. As with other large dogs, hip problems and bloat are possible, so health-tested parents are worth seeking. ## Ratings (1 to 5) - Energy: 3 - Exercise needs: 3 - Grooming: 3 - Shedding: 4 - Trainability: 2 - Barking: 4 - Good with children: 3 - Good with other dogs: 2 Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/sarplaninac Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0arplaninac · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39408 Photo: Illyricum Scardus (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sardog.jpg Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.