Overview
The Illyrian Shepherd was a mountain flock guardian of the Balkans that no longer exists as a distinct breed. Its name is also used for the Illyrian Hound, which is a different, scenthound-type dog.
Its importance lies in its descendants, which carry on the guardian tradition in several countries today.
History
The Illyrian Shepherd is regarded as the predecessor of three modern breeds: the Šarplaninac, named after the Sharr Mountains, the Karst Shepherd from Slovenia, and the rare Deltari Ilir, accepted nationally in Kosovo and several other Eastern European countries.
Appearance
No standard description survives. As the ancestor of the Balkan guardian breeds, it is thought to have been a large, sturdy, thick-coated mountain dog.
Temperament
Like its descendants, it would have been a watchful, independent guardian devoted to the flock and wary of strangers and predators.
