Gampr

The Gampr is an exceptional dog breed that comes from Armenia’s mountainous areas. For centuries, farmers and shepherds have relied on the Gampr because of its strength, loyalty, and protective instincts. This ancient breed has earned a reputation for protecting families, property, and livestock.

The Gampr is distinguished from other breeds by its independent and perceptive personality. These dogs have an ability to think quickly and independently, which has allowed them to survive in challenging conditions. Gamprs are gentle with their human families and develop strong bonds with those they defend, despite their size and power.

Even though the Gampr is not as well-known outside of Armenia, people who value working breeds with a rich history should learn more about this dog because of its unique characteristics. The Gampr is a breed that inspires respect and admiration, regardless of your interest in their function as livestock guardians or just your general curiosity about their traits.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	Armenia
Size	Large and strong, with males weighing up to 130 lbs
Temperament	Loyal, protective, and independent
Coat	Thick, double-layered, usually in shades of brown, gray, or black
Role	Traditionally used for guarding livestock
Lifespan	Typically 12-15 years

Characteristics of the Gampr breed

"Gampr" translates from Armenian to "big, powerful." The reason behind the breed’s name was not insignificant; these dogs were compared to bears and lions in terms of strength and character, and they handled wolves with ease. Not only is the term "gampr" widely used, but also: Bear dog, lion dog, and Armenian wolfhound.

Dogs of this breed have assisted and coexisted with humans since ancient times. They participated in military campaigns, guarded the home and territory, and kept cattle safe from wolves. They were employed in mountain rescue operations to locate victims buried beneath debris and for large-game hunting.

Currently, this breed is uncommon and poorly recognized worldwide. However, the Gampr is well-liked and regarded as a national treasure in Armenia. In the heart of Yerevan, there is even a monument dedicated to him. These canines are regarded as the shepherd’s greatest aides, guardians, and protectors.

Being a service breed, these individuals are not meant to be mere companions; while they possess quick reflexes and agility, they are not athletic. These days, they are being utilized more and more for border police work as well as for the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Parameters	Characteristics
name	Armenian gampr (English. Armenian gampr), Armenian wolfhound
country	Armenia
FCI classification	not recognized
use	universal working dog
life expectancy	12-15 years
height	males 67-79 cm, females 63-71 cm
weight	males 57-75 kg, females 45-60 kg

Pros

An Armenian gampr makes the perfect security and guard; he will watch out for his family’s safety and shield their possessions, home, and pets from harm. Owners observe that these dogs have the following benefits:

• strong, hardy, hardy;
• have a menacing, intimidating appearance;
• friendly, patient with children;
• loyal;
• smart, quick-witted;
• capable of making independent decisions;
• vigilant, attentive;
• calm, balanced;
• have good health, tolerate cold and adverse conditions well;
• unpretentious, do not require serious care.

Cons

This dog is not for everyone; an owner who is weak-willed and soft-spoken and has never raised a service dog before will find it difficult to handle. A Gampr takes up a lot of space because of his massive size, so you shouldn’t get one to live in an apartment. He does not tolerate small spaces. There are a few more drawbacks that could arise from owning this dog, as follows:

• a tendency to dominate;
• independence, stubbornness;
• independence, love of freedom.

Differences from similar breeds

Gamprs are wolfhounds’ property. This is the name given to dogs that are bred to both hunt and defend the herd against wolves. Wolfhounds are unique because of their enormous size, powerful build, amazing strength, and remarkable endurance. These dogs can withstand a fight with a wolf or even a bear because of their strong jaws.

The contemporary wolfhound breeds include the following roughly ten: Kazakh and other wolfhounds, Caucasian and Maremma-Abruzzese shepherds, Akbash, Alabai, Kangal, Pyrenean, Georgian, Irish, and other wolfhounds. Since many of them were developed using Gampr as a breeding basis, it can be challenging for a non-specialist to recognize the distinctions between them right away.

The image illustrates how Gampr and other wolfhounds differ from one another:

• Akbash – larger, with long legs, the color can only be white;

• Kangals are not much different from Gampr, but they have a wider muzzle with a mandatory black mask, longer ears;

• Alabai are more muscular, with a large head but a narrower muzzle, and their color is usually uniform;

• Maremma-Abruzzese Shepherds do not have such a powerful build, they have a small head with a narrower muzzle, white color;

• the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, unlike the Gampr, has long, thick hair.

History of origin

The Gampr is among the oldest breeds. Researchers estimate that it has coexisted with humans for three millennia. These were common wild dogs that had been domesticated in the former state of Urartu. They hunted, defended homes and livestock, and took part in combat. They were adored and worshipped, and legends were written about them. There are numerous rock carvings depicting enormous dogs with strong jaws and a massive head that go with shepherds and hunters.

Only native dogs and occasionally wolves were mated by the Gampr breed of dogs, which evolved independently in the Armenian Highlands. The most intelligent, robust, and resilient people were chosen. Since the Armenians fought the Ottoman Empire to the very end, the Turks destroyed not only the Armenians but also their dogs during the conflict. In the seized lands, Gampr remained intact. However, they are referred to as "Anatolian Shepherd" or "Kangal" in Turkey, where they are regarded as a native breed.

In the 1930s, when the best dogs were brought to Moscow to breed the perfect security dog, the population also declined. It is thought by researchers that the Gampr descended from the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Alabai.

Work to conserve and identify the breed started in Armenia at the start of the twenty-first century. A standard was developed, and nurseries started to be established. The breed was known as the "Armenian Gampr" when it was registered with the International Cynological Union in 2011. It was given the designation of Armenian National Heritage. The breed is classified as Caucasian Shepherd Dogs of Armenian Origin by the FCI and other cynological organizations, who do not recognize it.

These days, international dog shows are held, and their population is growing steadily. There are currently over 2,000 people registered in the nation; many of them reside in the USA. In Yerevan, a monument honoring Gampr was built in 2018. The goal of Armenian cynologists is to identify the long-haired Gampr, another variation of the breed.

For centuries, the Gampr, also called the Armenian Wolfhound, has been a devoted, strong, and perceptive breed that has protected homes and cattle. The Gampr, which is well-known for its strength and independence, is a protective dog that has a strong bond with its family and the ability to make decisions for itself in the outdoors. This ancient breed, despite being rare, is highly prized for its bravery and instinctive protectiveness in Armenia and among dog lovers worldwide.

Description of appearance

The Armenian Wolfhound is a big dog with a broad chest, cropped ears, and a powerful, muscular build. The standard only sets a lower height limit of 67 cm for men and 63 cm for women. A maximum of 75–80 cm can be reached at the withers. Although some of these dogs weigh as much as 80 or even 100 kg, most weigh between 45 and 70 kg.

Head

The forehead is broad and flat, and the head is massive and conical. The muzzle is broad but elongated, and the stop is smooth and nearly undetectable. The large earlobe ought to be black. The jaws are strong, the teeth are big, the cheekbones are flat, and the bite is scissor-like. The upper lip hangs down slightly, and the lips are thick.

The small, low-set ears dangle on cartilage. They are usually trimmed short, which gives them the appearance of roses. Medium-sized almond-shaped eyes that are set deeply and fairly closely together. The appearance should be somber, strict, and attentive, with a dark hue that may also be honeyed.

Body

The muscular, slightly stretched body exudes power and strength. The thick neck smoothly transitions into a well-developed wither. The croup is elongated, rounded, and slightly elevated, and the back is broad. The ribs are rounded, and the chest is deep and broad.

The tail is thick, long, and positioned high. Normally lowered, it rises above the back and forms a semicircle when in motion. does not lie on the back, but it can resemble a ring.

Limbs

The legs have prominent muscles, a strong bone structure, and are thick and powerful. The front legs are slightly wider and erect. The thighs are long and the back legs are parallel, nearly straight because of the smoothed joints. The pads are soft, the paws are compact, and the toes are gathered. The motions are fluid and harmonious. The dog can change directions and gain incredible speed at the speed of light.

Coat and color

The coat is double-layered, with a dense, thick undercoat. It does a good job of shielding the dog from the elements. On the neck, the thick, elastic skin constricts into tiny folds. The coat feels heavy and coarse to the touch. People with short hair typically have hair that is between two and six centimeters long, with shorter hair on the head and limbs. There is a type with fluffy tail, thick collar, and medium-length hair up to 15 cm.

Any color is acceptable; only liver and brown are not allowed. Dogs with light, fawn, zonary colors are the most common. It’s nice to see a dark mask on the muzzle.

The description of the appearance is enhanced by photos:

Character and upbringing

Armenian wolfhounds appear frightening due to their size and intimidating appearance. However, owners find this to be a loyal and trustworthy guardian as well as a loving friend. Gampr has lived alongside humans for a very long time and feels obligated to assist them. All family members are protected and cared for by this dog, who also treats women, small dogs, children, and other pets with extreme caution. tries to dominate dogs and doesn’t get along with them.

Gampras acknowledge their owner as only a powerful and determined individual. They are submissive and docile when given the right upbringing. They are peaceful, inconspicuous, and self-sufficient by nature. They are patient and devoted to children, but they do not enjoy playing for extended periods of time. They keep strangers at bay and won’t allow anyone inside the property without the owner’s consent. However, they do not act aggressively at first.

These are active, resilient, and hardy working dogs. They must always be on the lookout, guard, and protect. However, they dislike pointless motions and are not amusing. They seem apathetic most of the time, but they keep a close eye on everything around them. They leap up with lightning speed and rush to the defense at the first sign of danger.

The following traits apply to the Armenian wolfhound:

• loyal;
• calm;
• fearless;
• strong;
• independent;
• self-sufficient;
• vigilant.

Features of training

Armenian wolfhounds have a tendency toward dominance and independence. They require early socialization and a rigorous upbringing. However, having a trustworthy relationship with someone is also crucial. An authoritative owner who won’t stifle their dog is what this dog needs. It’s critical to be able to balance respect and affection for the pet with a strong sense of morality.

When trained properly, this dog will comply with all requests and acknowledge the owner’s right to command. Nevertheless, it only obeys its owner and views the other members of the family as those who require defense.

This dog exhibits self-assurance, stubbornness, and character from a young age. You must call a dog trainer if training issues occur because if you ignore your Gampr’s disobedience, it may turn aggressive and unmanageable. Re-educating an adult wolfhound is nearly impossible. Although many dog handlers think this dog’s guarding instincts are innate and doesn’t require training, you can take a course in OKD and ZKS.

Make friends with the dog from a young age if you want to keep its trust. It is not acceptable to be rough with someone, to punish them frequently, or to show them no love or communication.

A fascinating video about this breed of dogs:

Video: The Armenian wolfhound breed, or Gampr.

An Armenian wolfhound is a working dog; you cannot keep one in an apartment. It requires room and the freedom to roam around its domain. Although the dog can live indoors, it prefers to be outside because it can withstand the cold. It cannot be restrained; otherwise, it may turn aggressive and uncontrollable.

It is suggested that you walk it twice a day. The Gampr can only be walked in a muzzle and on a leash. This dog tends to act on its own initiative, and it may rush if it perceives that its owner is in danger from another person.

Although taking care of the Gampr is not difficult, the following steps are necessary:

• 1-2 times a week comb the coat, during shedding – every day;
• It does not need to be bathed often, 2-4 times a year is enough, since the wool has the ability to self-clean;
• keep eyes, ears and teeth clean;
• regularly check the condition of the paw pads, if dry or cracked, lubricate with cream;
• timely carry out antiparasitic treatment and vaccinations.

Nutrition

The diet of an Armenian wolfhound must be well-balanced and high in protein. Feeding it fresh meat along with vegetables and porridge is preferable. At least 40% of the diet should be protein, and vitamins and chondroprotectors are worthwhile additions. You can feed industrial feed meant for giant breeds, but ideally holistic class.

Health

Since this breed is indigenous, its members enjoy excellent health, virtually no hereditary illnesses, rarely get the flu, and are not prone to allergies. The Gampr can live up to 13–15 years if given proper care, which is longer than most large dogs’ lifespans. Members of the breed may experience joint disorders as they age.

How to buy an Armenian Gampr puppy

It is preferable to travel to Armenia to purchase a purebred puppy because local breeders are concerned with preserving the breed’s working qualities, character, and purity. However, nurseries do exist in Russia as well; the most important thing to do is verify the parents’ official registration and pedigrees. Such a dog typically costs between 35 and 50 thousand rubles, but show-class Gampr can cost up to 100 thousand.

You should get to know the mother before selecting a puppy; she should be submissive and composed. The cleanliness of the enclosure is crucial. Puppies ought to be curious, lively, well-fed, and not cowardly. Babies in good health have thick, glossy fur, cool, wet noses, and clear, discharge-free eyes.

The picture shows Gampr puppies:

Video about the Gampr breed

The breed’s description is enhanced by the video:

Gampr. Planet of Dogs 127759; My Planet in Video

The Gampr is a magnificent breed distinguished by its strength, intelligence, and loyalty. These dogs, whose origins are deeply ingrained in Armenian history, have long served as guardians of homes and livestock.

Gampers are fiercely loyal to their families in addition to being self-reliant and capable of making their own decisions. They make excellent guardians due to their strong bond with humans, but they need owners who understand that they need space and purpose.

For those seeking a dependable and independent friend, the Gampr might be the ideal choice. But make sure you give them enough space to walk around and the ideal ratio of independence to supervision so they can grow and thrive.

Video on the topic

Gampr – the treasure of Armenia

📌GAMPR TITAN – Early mating.And its impact on the health of the dog#ArmenianWolfhound#

Planet of dogs. Gampr

📌+7-967-066-75-43📞ARMENIAN WOLFHOUND KENNEL "GAMPR TITAN" HERE WE ARE ALMOST 3 MONTHS OLD🐾

Gampr

Gampr VS Alabai Acquaintance ended in Conflict

📌GAMPR TITAN.OUR GAMPRS ARE IDEAL FOR A FAMILY WITH CHILDREN🥰MATVEY AND HANNA💕

Gampr VS Caucasian Shepherd. Who is stronger? Comparison of wolfhounds.