Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian, Caucasian Mountain Dog, Caucasian Wolfhound)

The large, strong breed known for its loyalty and protective nature is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, sometimes called the Caucasian Mountain Dog or the Caucasian Wolfhound. This dog, which originated in the untamed Caucasus Mountains, is naturally protective because it was bred to watch over homes and livestock.

When trained and socialized appropriately, the Caucasian Shepherd, despite its formidable size and strength, can make a kind and affectionate companion. These dogs are perfect for seasoned dog owners who are aware of their special needs because they are renowned for their bravery, intelligence, and strong territorial instincts.

For this breed to maintain good mental and physical health, they need lots of space and frequent exercise. Despite their strong protective tendencies, they can make devoted and faithful family pets if given the proper care.

Breed Name	Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian, Caucasian Mountain Dog, Caucasian Wolfhound)
Origin	Caucasus region, including parts of Russia, Georgia, Armenia
Size	Large, can weigh up to 100 kg (220 lbs)
Temperament	Loyal, protective, independent, and sometimes wary of strangers
Purpose	Traditionally used for guarding livestock, homes, and property
Coat Type	Thick double coat, suited for cold climates
Exercise Needs	Moderate, requires regular exercise but not excessive
Lifespan	10-12 years
Training	Can be challenging due to independent nature; early socialization and consistent training are essential
Health Concerns	Hip dysplasia, heart issues, obesity if not properly exercised

Breed profile

Photo of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Characteristics

Interesting facts and characteristics

In the event that you choose to acquire a Caucasian Shepherd, you should be aware of:

• She is friendly only towards members of her family. With strangers, the mountain dog adheres to a policy of mistrust;
• It can react very quickly, is always ready to protect the owner and his home;
• At the same time, it is not bloodthirsty. But you need to be able to manage its aggression, and only a person with a firm hand can do this. If you do not have experience in raising and training large dogs, you should think twice before getting a wolfhound;
• It is distinguished by sensitivity, hears even the most subtle rustles;
• It is not afraid of the cold, so it can live in an enclosure on the street;
• They are calm about the long absence of the owner. If you work a lot, rarely appear at home – the shepherd will not be offended;
• But it will not become an adult so quickly, full physical and psychological maturity is gained only by 2 years;
• It is easy to train and intellectually developed, although it is inferior to its sister – the German shepherd;
• And also quickly gets excited, gets angry, not always knowing how to stop in time.

Anyone hunting on someone else’s land fears coming across a White Shepherd. She is a fantastic guard, always willing to defend her owner’s belongings. As such, you shouldn’t anticipate wolfhounds to be particularly sensitive or emotionally attached to their owners. He is first and foremost your protector, and only afterwards a pet.

History of origin

The history of the Caucasian Shepherd is extensive. Even before Christianity arrived on the scene, its ancestors kept sheep in the mountains. The breed is thought to have descended from Tibetan dogs that fought in ancient China. To some experts, Asia is its native land, where canines were employed by cattle breeders.

The guard instinct of the Caucasian Shepherd originated with ancient shepherds, who were the first breeders of the breed. They were breeding dogs, picking the best puppies, and improving the puppies’ outward and working characteristics. Thus, a true wolfhound needs to be courageous, strong, and resilient. He also doesn’t need special food for himself and doesn’t fear the cold.

The Caucasian War saw the appearance of the shaggy mountain dog. There was no one involved in the breed’s breeding; instead, the participants brought animals as trophies from the battlefield. The Nuremberg exhibition in the 1930s sparked interest in the Caucasian Shepherd. However, the Second World War halted the shift towards a separate breed, and none of the purebred individuals survived after that. The 1970s saw the start of the Caucasian Shepherd’s gene pool restoration, and as a result, demand for this bold and large dog started to rise.

The powerful and devoted Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed—also called the Caucasian Mountain Dog or the Caucasian Wolfhound—was first developed to protect livestock in the abrasive mountainous areas of Eastern Europe. These dogs, who are renowned for their bravery, protective instincts, and close relationships with their families, need the right training and socialization to balance out their innate guarding inclinations. Their size and strength make them best suited for experienced owners who can meet their needs for space, exercise, and guidance, even though they can be gentle with loved ones.

Appearance

A charming canine breed is the Caucasian Shepherd. People with long hair appear particularly radiant. A purebred cable must weigh at least 50 kg, but many Caucasians weigh between 70 and 100 kg. Mountain girls are smaller, weighing between 45 and 60 kg and standing 64 cm tall. However, they can weigh up to 70 kg.

Head

The wedge-shaped head has a flat forehead and prominent cheekbones. The arches of the eyebrows and a bump on the back of the head are nearly invisible, despite the weight of the skull. The muzzle is broad and gets narrower as it gets closer to the nose. The chin is powerful. It’s obvious when the stop occurs.

The lips are dry, expressive and with pigment spots. The teeth are white, large and close to each other. The bite is like scissors, or straight. The full dental formula is 42. The nose is straight, wide and with a large black lobe. The nostrils are open. The eyes are round, located at a large distance from each other and set slightly obliquely. The iris can be any shade of brown. The wolfhound"s gaze is attentive and appraising. The ears are small, hanging and high-standing. The ear cloth is tightly pressed to the head. The shape can be either docked or natural. The neck is of medium length and dense. There is a scruff.

The body

The length of the body is extended and large. Strong and broad, the back tapers into a short loin and a tucked-up abdomen. Long, sloping circle. Wide, long, and deep in the chest. The tail has a sickle-like shape and is set high. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog’s tail, when at ease, looks down to the hocks. Conversely, when it’s excited, it looks upward.

Limbs

Every limb pair is straight. Wide and firmly pressed to the body shoulder blades go into strong, well-developed shoulders. Mescarpuses are brief but massive. Thighs have powerful, readily apparent muscles. Hocks are broad, robust, and dry. The dog has big paws on all of them, and its toes are gathered into a lump.

Wool and color

The coat is hard to the touch and, with hair noticeably lagging behind the body, there is an undercoat. Tassels are clearly visible on the ears, and a mane on the chest. On the back of the front pair of limbs, the hair is collected in feathers, and the thighs are dressed in pants. Also, the tail is well covered with hair, so it often seems thicker than it actually is. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be smooth-haired, long-haired and intermediate. Most often, puppies with long hair are bought, as they are outwardly brighter. All types of piebald, including solid and spotted colors are allowed. Exception: variations of black.

Defects and disqualifying vices

The following vices can disqualify a wolfhound:

1. Short stature.
2. Incorrect bite.
3. Testicles not descended into the scrotum.
4. Color brown-brown, blue or black.
5. Entropy.
6. Incomplete dental formula.
7. Eyes of different colors.
8. Brown eyelids, lips or nose.

Character

The Caucasian wolfhound is a stern and serious dog by nature, despite its "soft" appearance. It requires an equally powerful owner who is constantly aware of the situation. In exchange, you can always count on this brave friend to defend you and your belongings. Nobody will be able to steal anything from you or earn your trust—not even the craftiest person. Your Caucasian is only committed to you, so he won’t be affected by threats or mouthwatering food.

Only when the Caucasian is near his family does he become "warmer." However, you also shouldn’t anticipate warmth and tenderness from him. He will continue to be loving but reserved. You will need to practice trust, though. The shepherd will follow and protect you if she knows that you are a strong, fair, and strict owner.

The majority of Caucasians are intelligent, well-balanced, and housebroken. They can play, interact with kids, and even join in on practical jokes. However, the Caucasian Shepherd isn’t cut out to be a nanny. Once more, its purpose is protection, not amusement.

The mountain shepherd and other pets get along well. A decorative dog would be preferable if it is a dog. Particularly big ones will incite a spirit of rivalry in her, and she’ll attempt to take charge and subjugate another dog.

Education and training

If you establish your authority right away, start socializing and training the Caucasian Shepherd, it will grow up to be a well-mannered and safe dog. Additionally, keep in mind that your adorable little puppy will grow into a large dog within a year of its arrival. She will also shed her childlike features and develop into a strong, self-assured guardian.

As soon as a Caucasian Shepherd enters your home, begin training it. If you live in a city, you should gradually teach your puppy to be fearless around vehicles, people, and other street animals. Caucasians grow slowly, so the first simple teams to learn are those that are 5–6 months old. In just a year, your pet ought to be able to say things like "Fu!", "Sit!", "Near!", "Teeth!", "Place!", and "To me!"

Remember that your playful activities, like chasing a ball or a flying saucer, will not amuse your Caucasian Shepherd. She prefers to save her energy for protection rather than wasting it. Stubbornness and intelligence can cause training challenges, and contrary to popular belief, there is still no foolproof way to train mountain dogs. Even OKD isn’t always reliable.

You will undoubtedly need to remain composed and patient during training. You must first develop a strong emotional bond with the Caucasian Shepherd. It will then be able to ascertain your tone and mood with ease. Remember that wolfhounds dislike repetition, so training can take several years.

Even if you are told to, you should never use harsh methods when training a Caucasian Shepherd. Beatings and aggression will only make the animal more hostile, irrational, and distrustful of humans. You must have strict communication with the Shepherd; do not subdue it. It is not a gentle nature, so asking it to obey a command for food or affection will likewise not work.

You must put an immediate stop to any actions taken by your Caucasian Shepherd that attempt to dominate or assert their dominance over you. After everyone has eaten, feed the dog promptly; go inside first; and refuse to let a leash drag you while out for a walk.

Care and maintenance

Having something to guard is important for the Caucasian Shepherd. Consequently, a country home with a yard or a piece of land would be the ideal place for her to reside. She will be content if you provide her with a space in an aviary because she is not afraid of the cold. The dog can be kept on a chain as long as it is lightweight and extends up to 2.5 meters.

A Caucasian Shepherd requires a lot of space, so keep that in mind if you choose to live with one in an apartment. And her protective nature won’t go away. She will need to be watched closely since she needs a clear view, opens doors, and doesn’t always greet guests politely.

Hygiene

Long haired Caucasians are more challenging to take care of. During the winter months, when the pet’s hair absorbs all the moisture and can become tangled, it is especially important to comb and trim their hair frequently. The dog should be washed whenever necessary, and it should be allowed to swim in bodies of water if it gets extremely dirty.

Particularly in the spring and summer, clean its ears and protect the funnels from ticks. Use veterinary drops or chamomile decoction to wash the eyes.

Remember that the Caucasian Shepherd enjoys biting on objects like boards and bones. As a result, occasionally you will need to extract food or wood fragments from its mouth using tweezers.

Once a week, use a special paste to brush your dog’s teeth.

Walks

You must walk the Caucasian Shepherd, just like you would with a pet of any other breed. However, since this breed prefers to expend energy on more beneficial activities rather than long walks, you won’t have to spend a lot of time outside. If you are going somewhere busy, remember to give the shepherd a leash and a muzzle. Additionally, it is best to acclimate the puppy to accessories now to avoid issues down the road.

Here are some guidelines for strolling:

• Take the Caucasian Shepherd outside on a short leash and muzzle;
• Do not let a child under 14 years old walk the dog;
• If the shepherd walks in the yard of the house, then you need to hang a sign on the fence "Caution, evil dog!».

Nutrition

The Caucasian Shepherd can be fed natural products or dry food. It must be admitted that its food intake is quite low compared to other large breeds. The dog’s high metabolism allows it to absorb the most nutrients from small amounts of food. Additionally, you can give it milk, but only on a regular basis, as the pet might become diarrhean from the break.

You must serve meat (lamb, horse meat, lean beef), seafood, cereals (rice, buckwheat), fruits, vegetables, and cottage cheese if you have selected a natural menu for the Caucasian population. Additionally, the dog needs a bowl of fresh water at all times.

Health

Genetically speaking, the Caucasian Shepherd is in good health, though it may experience joint dysplasia and optic nerve atrophy. Diabetes, arthritis, myelopathy, and bursitis are less common.

How to choose a puppy?

Firstly, the Internet and bird markets are not reliable sources of information. You can purchase a non-pedigree Caucasian Shepherd puppy there, or one that has an illness you won’t immediately know about.

It is appropriate to visit a kennel that specializes in breeding Caucasian Shepherds in order to meet one of these dogs. And the first thing you should ask yourself is, "Who do you need?" A pet, a bodyguard, or a guard. It is preferable to take a girl because she is kinder and picks things up more quickly if there are kids at home. You will have to allow her to become a mother at least once, though, for her own health.

Boy will make good guard in the future. However, because of his stronger character, it is crucial that the owner be a leader and able to raise a stern but polite assistant.

Observe how the Caucasian Shepherd behaves in the kennel. It ought to be proactive, inquisitive, and open to communication. Raising a Caucasian Shepherd that fights or bullies other people is a difficult task, so you should consider taking him home before deciding to do so. In addition, the puppy shouldn’t have cropped ears, dewclaws, or a hernia.

Make sure to look for the dog’s brand and the complete set of papers (including a vaccination card) that the breeder will provide.

Cost

A Caucasian Shepherd typically costs between 25,000 and 30,000 rubles. The puppy will cost between 40,000 and 60,000 rubles more if its parents were exhibitors.

The powerful and devoted Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed is renowned for its fearless attitude and protective instincts. Because of their size and strength, they can be intimidating, but they are also loyal friends to people they can trust. They must receive early socialization and proper training in order to develop into well-rounded dogs.

This breed works best with seasoned dog owners who recognize the value of providing their pets with firm but loving guidance. Their innate desire to defend and safeguard themselves means that they do best in settings with clear objectives and plenty of room to roam.

Despite their strong-willed nature, the Caucasian Shepherd can form deep bonds with their family, offering unmatched loyalty and protection. For those who can meet their needs and handle their assertive personalities, they are not just watchdogs but lifelong companions.

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