- Introduction to The Caucasian Mountain Dog
- Character/Temperament, Training, and Successful Ownership
- Health
- Frequently Asked Questions
- History
- The Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) Club of America
- Breed Standard
- Epilogue
Introduction
to The Caucasian Mountain Dog Tucked between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea lies the Caucasus, a land of towering mountains and winding valleys. From the earliest times, the Caucasus has been a region of high romance.
To the ancients, it was the end of the known world, beyond which all was fable and mystery. Here, more than a millennium of geographical isolation and natural selection has produced a most spectacular guarding breed, the Caucasian Mountain Dog.
The Caucasian Mountain Dog is called the "Kavkazskaya Ovcharka" in Russia, "Nagazi" in the native Georgian Republic and "Gampr" in native Armenia. See Map
The term "ovcharka" does not have an exact English language translation and means something between shepherd's dog and sheepdog. However, the Caucasian Mountain Dog is not of the shepherding dog classification. It is a flock guardian which has served the peoples of the Caucasus as a livestock guard, a home guardian, and historically a fighting dog as well.
Standing a minimum of 26 inches at the withers (dogs), preferably larger, the Caucasian Mountain Dog is handsome and powerfully built, with a medium to long double coat, often with abundant ruff and fringing. The coat color can be a range of shades of agouti gray, from dark gray to light, to reddish to fawn, with white markings and usually a distinctive dark facial mask. The head is massive and wedge-shaped. Shortly after birth, shepherds crop the pups' ears horizontally and bluntly close to the head, thereby eliminating the demise of the ears by the teeth of a predatory wolf.
The appearance
of the Caucasian Mountain Dog is best characterized as a bear-like view.
While some type differences exist across the mountain range, the breed
is bred to a single standard of soundness. Native republics, now independent
from Russia, may develop their own breed(s) selection in the future.
Character/Temperament,
Training, and Successful OwnershipThe Caucasian Mountain Dog is strong-minded, well-balanced, and even-tempered. They are territorial and suspicious of strangers, and will protect their flock, family, and property from danger real or perceived with lightening-quick speed.
The breed is said to have an uncanny ability to discriminate between true threat and benign interference. In other words, the Caucasian Mountain Dog is able to exercise good judgment provided he has been given the proper socialization, training, and experience on which to base this judgment.
Socialization, training, discipline, control These are the factors to successful ownership of the Caucasian in today's fast-paced society. Several years of formal obedience training beginning with weekly puppy classes is necessary. The Caucasian should be included to participate in family activities and should accompany the owner off home turf 2 to 3 times per week even for just a quick jaunt to the bank or grocery. Just as a child should not be raised in a closet, so too the Caucasian should receive consistent, diverse exposure to the outside world, so that he may grow up to be a good canine citizen.
The Caucasian should be contained in a fenced yard or run when not directly supervised by the owner. This breed should never run loose and should not be tied out. Due to the Caucasian Mountain Dog's territorial and protective nature, they may be aggressive towards an unannounced visitor or the UPS delivery person carrying that strange-looking package which could be a threat to the family.
Training must be firm, patient, and inducive. Due to its close association with man, the Caucasian Mountain Dog breed is one of the most willing of the flock guardians and is very trainable. However, the Caucasian is still a more independent thinker than a shepherding type dog such as the German Shepherd Dog.
Because the Caucasian is slow to mature, the hundred-pound yearling with the mental maturity of a 3-month old can be quite a challenge. And the Caucasian can be very head strong, especially during the first 2 1/2 years of life.
Very highly intelligent, the young Caucasian Mountain Dog will find many creative ways to get into trouble! The Caucasian Mountain Dog has a keen sense of hearing and is quick to alert to strange sounds. This means that the breed is often noisy and barks a lot, especially at night. These traits must be carefully considered by the potential owner.
Because the Caucasian Mountain Dog has functioned as a livestock guardian and a predator animal, he will protect the yard from a wolf, a coyote, a mountain lion, and the neighbor's dog.
The properly
socialized and trained Caucasian Mountain Dog is gentle and loving with
his family. He is good with quiet, well-behaved children and the family
cat and is so loyal that he will sacrifice himself to protect his family.
The Caucasian is sweet and charming--downright beguiling most of the time!
Health In general,
the well-bred Caucasian Mountain Dog is vigorously healthy. As with other
large breeds, the Caucasian should be at a minimum screened for hip and
elbow dysplasia. Some degree of hip and elbow dysplasia does afflict more
than 50% of the breed - breeders should provide copies of OFA/PennHip elbow
and hip evaluations to the buyers. Life expectancy is believed to be 10-12
years or more.
Frequently
Asked Questions - Does the
Caucasian Mountain Dog make a good family member? (See Owner
Experiences for more information)
The Caucasian is good with quiet well-behaved children who are also trained to understand that the Caucasian is a working companion, not a child's toy. The Caucasian enjoys participating in family activities especially outdoor ones such as hiking.
The Caucasian will protect the family with lightening quick speed against predator -- 4 legged or 2 legged -- and must be under adult control at all times i.e. fence control, adult leash control or voice control. They do not fit into the lifestyle of all families, but fit beautifully into the lifestyle of families willing to put in the time, effort and fencing of responsible ownership for the lifetime of the dog.
Parents with
children coming and going unsupervised through doorways that lead to unfenced
yard, parents with unruly, teasing children or those who want a dog that
can romp with the kids off lead and unsupervised down the street to the
neighbors' may find that the Newfoundland or Leonberger is a more suitable
choice for their situation.
- Do they
get along with family pets?
- Do they
shed and do they need a lot of grooming?
- Do they
drool?
- How should
I choose a breeder and what questions should I ask a breeder before choosing
a puppy?
- How do
I get a puppy?
History Lack of written records result in speculation as to exactly how and when the Caucasian Mountain Dog originated. Western writers suggest that Mastiff-type dogs were purposely crossed with sheep herding Spitz to produce a hardy breed resistant to the cold with sufficient size and fierceness to protect the flock. However, Russian experts contend that the breed naturally evolved from a group of dogs originating from Tibet approximately 2,000 years ago. Some archaeological evidence points to origins in Mesopotamia. As these dogs accompanied nomadic people during their trek across the continent, some of this group settled into the Caucasus mountain area.
The dogs bred for centuries in a half-wild state, geographically isolated from other breeds. Hard natural selection has resulted in the Caucasian we know today. Thus the Caucasian is considered a natural or indigenous breed which retains strongly-developed primitive instincts. Conscientious modern breeders have successfully preserved the naturalness of the aboriginal types.
Because the Caucasian is trainable and territorial, and makes and excellent reliable protection dog, the Soviet government utilized the Caucasian in state-run kennels for guarding service throughout the former Soviet Union. As a result of this role, the Caucasian gained a reputation steeped in mystery as to its aggressive character.
Here in North America, the Caucasian Mountain Dog is earning a reputation as being a trustworthy service dog and is capturing the hearts of dedicated, responsible dog fanciers across the continent.
Russian experts
estimate that 70% to 80% of the Caucasian Mountain Dogs are cross-bred
with St. Bernards and other breeds. Aware of this situation, in 1990 the
FCI (the European registering body) suspended automatic registration of
the breed and individual dogs must now be examined by a panel of FCI judges
to be registered.
The
Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) Club of AmericaThe Caucasian
Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) Club of America U.S. Breed Founders for Preservation
Here in the United States, the Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) Club of
America, Inc. was founded in 1991 by Stacey Kubyn for the preservation
and responsible promotion of the authentic Caucasian Mountain Dog. Working
with licensed judges and breed experts in the native Caucasus Republics
and former Soviet Union, the C.O.C.A. maintains the National Registry USA
and abides by a strict Code of Ethics. As of January 1, 1995, the
United Kennel Club accepted the
Caucasian Mountain Dog with full privileges, and C.O.C.A. dogs are eligible
for dual registration. Buy only from a breeder who upholds the high
standards set forth by the C.O.C.A.
and join us in the preservation and protection of this very precious breed!
- For more information,
subscribe to the Caucasian Mountain Dog/Ovcharka Fanciers' International Online News by sending an email to: listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com
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Your Name
Breed
StandardEpilogue In the words
of Marina Kuznetsova, licensed judge-expert in Russia, the Caucasian Mountain
Dog is distinguished for its beautiful character and well-balanced nervous
system. And, if you treat a dog of this breed with love and patience, you
will get the best friend and protector, fearless and faithful, who will
stand by you through anything and everything.