Caucasian Ovtcharkas
Authors
Copyright 1995 by Catherine Goldman, Robin Leff.
Published by;
Caucasian Ovtcharka International
PO Box 2355
Boston, Mass. 02130
USA
tel: 617-522-2649
fax: 617-524-1067
internet: Caucasus@aol.com
Table of Contents
In the remote regions of the Caucasus Mountains and Steppes, which
span several territories of the former Soviet Union, there hails one
of the significant rare breeds of our time. This breed is recognized
by many authorities not only for its incredibly attractive bear-like
appearance but for its supreme versatility. The Caucasian Ovtcharka,
as we know it today, is indeed testimony to Darwin's theory of
survival of the fittest!
The Caucasian Ovtcharka, a member of the working group, is a very
old breed of Molosser origins. This large, generally rough coated dog
has been considered by many to be a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff;
however, current archaeological evidence suggest otherwise. The most
recent research suggests that the ancestors of all the working
sheepdog breeds most likely originate from ancient dogs that lived in
the forested hills of Iraq and Mesopotamia.
Nomadic tribes settling in the remote regions
of the Caucasus brought working dogs with them which evolved with
little outside intervention into the hardy, intelligent Caucasian
Ovtcharka. The breed takes its name both from the region of origin
and from the original purpose of the dogs.
Caucasian refers to the regions of the Caucasus, which include
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Daghestan, Iran and Turkey. Ovtcharka,
a Russian word, translates to Shepherd or Sheepdog. Not to be
confused with herding breeds, the Caucasian is actually a livestock
guardian, bred for the role of bonding with the livestock and
effectively fending off predators -- whether wolves, bears or thieves.
For centuries, the breed was little known outside these remote
regions and were first seen in European dog shows in 1930s Germany.
In 1952, the breed was sub-divided into two distinct types: the
Transcaucasian Ovtcharka, the heavier boned, more massive dog from the
mountain regions; and the Caucasian Ovtcharka, the lighter built dog
of the steppe regions. In 1976 the two types were re-classified as
one breed with all dogs expected to conform to the same
standard. However, individuals of the breed can still be identified by
regional type today, with each area of the former USSR having its own
varieties, including numerous sub-types. Today, the best examples are
considered to be of "Georgian" type, a heavy-boned, heavy-coated type
often said to most resemble a bear.
The Caucasian has an elaborate history that goes well beyond its
pastoral origins. Realizing the versatility of the breed, the Soviet
Army enlisted the Caucasian as a service dog and it was used as a
guard in both war and peace time. Breeding and promotion of the breed
for military and industrial use became the responsibility of the famed
"Red Star Kennels" where many modern dogs had their origin.
As the Caucasian has slowly become known in the West, it has
continued to uphold a reputation for trainability and adaptability,
making the breed an excellent candidate for service dog, family
companion/guardian, and flock guardian in the appropriate situations.
A typical male should stand anywhere from 25 1/2 to 30 + inches at the
withers and should weigh 100 + pounds. Females are a bit smaller, 80
+ pounds and a minimum of 24 1/2 inches.
All colors except solid black and solid brown, black ticking and
combinations of black and brown. Most commonly seen are various
shades of gray. Other colors described are rust, straw, yellow,
white, brindle, earth, spotted and piebald.
The Caucasian was developed to guard flocks and thus is naturally
protective. Though their appearance may be fierce, in general they
should be a calm and steady dog with even temperament. They should be
well behaved with and accepting of all family members, but naturally wary
of strangers. Although more eager to please than many flock
guardians, they still can be quite independent and stubborn when
compared to more easily trained breeds such as the German Shepherd dog
or Golden Retriever. It is important to "socialize" the Caucasian at
an early age to properly adapt to different people and situations. If
you are planning to use your Caucasian for flock guardian work, it is
important to start exposing them to the livestock as early as
possible. With proper socialization and training, you should have few
problems.
Yes. most Caucasians are good with children they know and would never hurt
them purposely. However, it is imperative to establish the proper pecking
order from the beginning, making the Caucasian understand that it cannot push
the children around. It is also essential to realize that they are large
dogs and sometimes forget their size. This can result in a child accidentally
being knocked down or stepped on. As with any pet, it is important that
young children be supervised by an adult when playing with your Caucasian.
Also, as a dog bred to protect their flocks, Caucasians will
substitute the family for its flock and may try to keep strangers or
other threats away from the children. Older children with an active
social life need to realize that although their friends may like dogs,
it may not be appropriate for the dog to interact with every visitor.
Most Caucasians are able to live with other dogs, cats and of course
livestock. If you have other pets it would be best to get a puppy so
everyone learns to get along.
Females are more likely to be able to live together; two male dogs
who have not been neutered can rarely be expected to live peaceably.
Well, that depends on what you mean. If you have a pristine house
with many precious and breakable items, you may need to think twice.
If you have a good vacuum cleaner, have moved the crystal out of the
way and are ready and eager for an adventure, than yes, the Caucasian
can be a great house dog.
Any dog can be trained to behave in a house and the Caucasian is no
exception. Puppies need to be housebroken and taught what is
permissible behavior and what is not. All puppies and young adults
chew and crate training can be of great benefit to you and your dog in
this regard. Talk with your breeder, trainer or experienced dog
owners about the value of using a crate.
Caucasians respond very well to steady and consistent training.
Caucasians are not really that different from most other dogs, except
that you can never forget that they are a large dog and the problems
or challenges may be correspondingly bigger. For instance, you may
find the crate for your dog is bigger than the kitchen table! You may
also want to buy stock in the company that makes rolling hair removers
for clothes and furniture. Although large in size and requiring
regular exercise, CO'S make excellent house or apartment dogs as they
generally do a lot of lying around. Their activity level is quite low
compared with many smaller breeds.
As with most livestock guarding breeds, the CO is generally a
phlegmatic, low activity level dog. Originally they were bred to lay
around with the sheep all day and keep predators at bay. As most
predators are nocturnal, you may find your CO much more active at
night. If you are planning on keeping your dog outside, you must
realize they are alarm barkers and will give warning to anything
encroaching their territory. Do not be fooled by their habit of lying
around, appearing to be dozing. The slightest disturbance will rouse
them and most CO'S are surprisingly quick and agile.
Although they lose hair all the time in small quantities, most CO'S "blow
coat" at least once a year. When this happens large tufts of hair are
everywhere! Get out the rakes and combs and go to work. With proper
grooming, the mess can be minimized and save that fur! Clothing knit from CO
fur is said to bring good luck and longevity to the wearer.
Well they do shed and like the mud. Pound for pound, they are no messier
than most other dogs but since they are big dogs, any mess is correspondingly
bigger.
For their size they are an easy keeper. While a growing puppy or a pregnant
or lactating bitch might consume as much as 8-10 cups a day, an unstressed
adult dog will likely consume much less. You should feed your CO a high
quality food that provides necessary nutrition. Check with your breeder to
see what they recommend. Some breeders supplement the diet with cooked meat,
yogurt, goats milk, etc. Young pups need to be fed 2-3 times a day, while
adults 1-2 times a day.
CO'S do well in all kinds of climactic conditions. They absolutely
love cold weather and snow. Under normal conditions a good solid dog
house with plenty of bedding is sufficient. They tolerate heat
equally well with sufficient shade and water.
No. This is a personal option. Ear cropping is traditional (as a
flock guardian, dogs are at an advantage if the prey have no ears to
bite at) but not required even for show dogs. Although a cropped ear
is preferred, many European countries have banned cropping for humane
reasons. The cropped ear does change the expression, however, and
some feel it makes the look of the dog.
As soon as your pup is old enough, a "Puppy Kindergarten" is highly
recommended (contact a local obedience or breed club to find one),
followed by a basic obedience class. Caucasians respond well to
positive reinforcement training methods and will enjoy short, fun,
creative training sessions. Obedience training also helps to
establish the bond between you as pack leader and your dog as a
respected member of the pack. Beyond the obvious benefits of having a
well trained dog, many people enjoy working with their dogs in
obedience competition. Through breed and all-breed clubs, Caucasians
can compete for the Companion Dog (CD) or more advanced titles. Any
large breed of dog is encouraged to attain AKC'S Canine Good Citizen
title, which several Caucasians in this country have already achieved.
With a Caucasian, it is particularly important to remember that
obedience training is not for 1 hour a week for 8 sessions, it's
forever.
Before you consider breeding, talk to a breeder about the problems,
pitfalls, expenses and heartaches and have your bitch properly
evaluated by knowledgeable persons. Have you ever handled the
breeding of large dogs before? Its not as automatic as you think!
Are you prepared to pay for all the necessary expenses? Testing
before the pregnancy? Caring for a pregnant bitch? Are you willing
to pay for a cesarean section if necessary? What if the bitch dies?
Have you ever had to hand feed a large litter before? Are you ready
to watch the litter 24 hours daily to insure the mother doesn't roll
over on them? Do you have a Vet lined up to come into your home? Are
you willing to pay? What if you can't sell all the pups by 8 weeks of
age? Will you be able to continue to pay for the vaccinations and
extra mouths? If you can't sell them right away, what about housing,
housebreaking, socialization and training? No dog needs to be a
mother or a father to be fulfilled.
You should breed your dog only if:
- Your dog meets the approved standard.
- You have proven this by showing your dog, or by having it evaluated by
more than one knowledgeable person.
- You are prepared to care for all the resulting puppies regardless of when
they sell.
- You are willing to take back any puppy/dog you have bred, should the
circumstance arise.
You should not breed your dog if your main motive is to make money, or
to recoup your purchase price, or expenses! When breeding is done
right, it is doubtful you will accomplish either. Dog breeding is not
a casual venture. Before breeding your dog, visit the local animal
shelter and talk with the staff.
Caucasians, like any large breed, can be afflicted with hip dysplasia. Adult
dogs should be x-rayed for signs of the disease. The Orthopedic Foundation
for Animals, (OFA) issues numbers to dogs with acceptable hips. When buying a
puppy, always try to find a breeder that is using x-rayed stock. Ask to see
OFA certificates or letters from a certified Veterinarian. Reputable
breeders will guarantee their pups against hip dysplasia and other severe
genetic defects.
As of this writing (1995) Caucasians appear to have few genetically linked
health problems. As mentioned before, hip dysplasia is of some concern. In
the FCI and Russian breed standards eye disease, cataracts and loose lower
eyelids are mentioned.
CO'S are not a dog for everyone. Why not? They demand time, attention,
frequent training and handling. They are strong, willful and cannot be
expected to like everyone. Without proper training, they can be very
aggressive to both people and dogs. They do bark a lot and have a lot of
hair. They require firm, steady and consistent training. A CO needs to
learn manners well enough to be trusted to react as you would want and expect
in all situations. If you know you are totally confident in your ability to
handle a large, dominant dog even in threatening situations and are able to
supply the necessary time, energy, attention and money to raise and keep a
dog for its full life, only then should you consider a Caucasian.
As with many breeds, males are generally larger and can be more aggressive.
Females may be a bit easier in the house because of their smaller size. Also
females are usually less dominant and can be easier with children. The
answer for you depends on personal preference, whether you've owned a
Caucasian before, whether you have other male dogs in the house or whether
you've had experience with other flock guardians or large working breeds
before. This should also be a point to discuss with your breeder.
Some people prefer to acquire an older dog that has already been house
broken, has some training and is no longer chewing. Some people are in
seventh heaven around a pup and don't mind the trials and tribulations of
puppyhood. Some are even crazy enough to have more than one puppy at a time.
To determine its show potential, each dog is compared against its
breed standard. A dog or puppy displaying any disqualifying faults
would be graded as pet quality. Sometimes the faults are only visible
to a knowledgeable person, while sometimes the fault is very visible.
Show quality means that the dog has no serious faults as defined by
the breed standard. This does not mean that the temperament will be
good, that the dog will ever win at shows, or will become a champion.
Puppies graded show quality at the time of sale by the breeder are
considered only to have the potential to be shown.
If you pay show quality price, you should have a written guarantee
that the puppy will be replaced or part of the purchase price be
refunded should the puppy develop a disqualifying fault, or other
defect or disease which would prevent it from being shown. Show
quality is much easier to assess in an adult dog. If your heart is
set on a show dog, you may be happier purchasing an adult whose
structure and quality are already clear.
Pet quality dogs cannot be shown in the conformation ring.
However, they can compete in obedience, agility or make a perfectly
suitable livestock or family guardian. Generally these dogs should
not be bred and should be neutered, as they can pass on their faults
to their offspring. Most breeders will register pet quality puppies
under a limited registration or with a spay/neuter contract.
Usually pet quality dogs have a less expensive purchase price.
There should be no difference in the dog's abilities, or the amount of
time, training, cost and care that they require.
The cost of a Caucasian depends on many factors including whether one
or both the parents have championship status; whether or not the
animal is American bred or imported; and whether health and hips are
guaranteed. A pet quality puppy might range from $500.00 to
$1,000.00. Show quality puppies generally cost $800.00 and
up. Imported dogs can cost more. Older dogs may be priced higher or
lower depending on the quality of the dog and whether or not it has
earned any championship points or has had obedience training.
One way is to visit a rare breed show and talk with exhibitors and
owners of CO'S. Various dog publications list breeders or clubs. Rare
breed organizations often have breeder referral services.
Start by looking at the conditions. Do the bitch and her pups appear
healthy? Ask a lot of questions. How long has the breeder been
active in breeding, showing and training dogs. What dog clubs do they
belong to? How long have they had Caucasians? How many individual
dogs do they own? How often do they have puppies available? Be sure
to ask for references. Expect that you may have to get on a waiting
list to get what you want.
Make sure the breeder can substantiate all titles claimed, as well
as furnish proof of X-rays. Beware of people that keep what would
logically seem like too many dogs, or have multiple litters annually.
The breeder should be just as interested in you as you are in them and
ask lots of questions. Beware of complicated co-ownership contracts
with future breeding commitments. Make sure you get a written
contract that you've read and completely understand.
If you've never been to a dog show, you must go! It's a canine
lover's paradise with dogs of every size and descriptions, vendors
selling every dog related item you could think of and lots of people
enjoying their passion. If you've seen Westminster dog show on TV,
you must realize this is the "super bowl" of dogdom with the finest
dogs, handlers and judges. However, the average dog show is not
nearly as extravagant. If you think you could be bitten by the bug,
talk to your breeder and find a breed handling class in your area.
Here you will learn proper ring technique.
Showing your dog can be a great hobby for you and the whole
family. Its a great way to meet other CO owners and dog enthusiasts
and have a lot of fun.
Caucasians are just one of many breeds not recognized by the American
Kennel Club (which only recognizes about 1/3 of over 300 separately
identified breeds).
There are many types of flock guardians and most countries with an
agrarian culture have dogs that have been used as livestock guardians
throughout history. Some of the more popular breeds, such as the
Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz and Komondor, are recognized by the AKC.
However, the vast majority of flock guardians are considered "rare
breeds" in the U.S. In addition to the Caucasian Ovtcharka, some
other examples of flock breeds are the Maremma Abruzzi, Anatolian
Shepherd Dog and the Sharplaninatz. While some are rarer than others,
all these breeds are considered purebreds, which means that the dogs
and all prior generations before it are purebred. Each country has
various registration bodies which records pedigrees, keeps a stud book
and may provide shows. Currently, Caucasians and other rare flock
guardians can be shown at the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA)
shows.
In addition to ARBA shows, Caucasians can be shown at other rare breed
shows and at match shows where rare breeds are invited. You can find
out about these venues through your breeder, various publications and
from other rare breed enthusiasts.
You should expect that the breed club will give honest and unbiased
information. You should expect the club to keep accurate and fair
records. That it will be run in a democratic fashion and not be a
soapbox for one person's vision or opinions. That, in the case of the
Caucasian Ovtcharka, it follows the world standard, which at present
is FCI #328. A club should be open to all fanciers of the breed and
is not a private organization. It is not a broker or an importer or a
front for these individuals. It is not a guarantee that a puppy or
dog registered through a breed club is anything but purebred. A club
registration does not validate individual dogs temperaments or
standards of beauty. This is up to the individual to study for him or
herself.
A breed club keeps the official stud book. It registers individual
dogs and litters of puppies. It will offer breed information and
breeder referral to its members and other people making inquiries
without prejudice. It will sponsor honest shows and working
evaluations as a forum for people to evaluate their stock and breed
for improvement. It will publish an informative newsletter on a
regular basis. It will serve as a clearinghouse for new and important
information about the breed and its history, health and
accomplishments around the world.
All the services provided by the club cost money. By joining the
club, you pay dues which help to support these services. The club
needs not just your monetary support but your physical help as well.
If you have the time and the inclination, please volunteer your
services! The club cannot function without you, the members!
Caucasian Ovtcharka FAQ
Caucasus@aol.com
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