Flock & Family Guardian Network: Why do you own a Caucasian Ovcharka: Protection? LGD? Companionship?

For us, we wanted a dog that would provide our family with property protection from predators - humans and animals. We also wanted a breed that could coexist with our other dogs. I loved that Ovcharka are hardy enough to live outdoors in winter and agile enough to hike with us (summer or winter) and therefore could provide protection for my wife and I while in the outback and year round at home.

So far my wife and I are super pleased with our 2 Caucasian Ovcharka. We have found they are wonderful family protectors, companions, and are relatively low-maintenance dogs.

I'd love to hear from others; I'm interested to know what type of work your Ovcharka do - even if it's companionship.

Thanx!

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Stacey Kubyn

Stacey Kubyn
390 days ago

Here's how it all began for me:

Dog Breeder Champions Rare Russian Strain The Cleveland Plain Dealer 1991 By Suzanne Hively Stacey Grether Kubyn of Concord Township has taken the Caucasian Ovcharka, a flock-guarding breed of dog from the Soviet Union, to her heart. The breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, but Kubyn wants to preserve and perpetuate it. Rare breeds, it seems, are becoming as numerous in the United States as those recognized by the American Kennel Club. Perhaps it is a desire to own something different or an urge to prevent an ancient breed from falling through the cracks of extinction, that spurs people such as Kubyn to action. A little over 14 months ago, Kubyn owned only a show Rottweiler and a pet German Shepherd. She now owns or coowns 14 dogs, most of them Caucasian Ovcharkas. They are not, however, all at her Concord Township home. Kubyn is working with a select group of breeders from coast to coast to ensure the dog's geographic distribution. Kubyn had been reading about flockguarding breeds; in July of last year, she and her husband, were looking at one, a Kuvasz, for possible purchase. That's when they learned of a broker who had imported several Caucasian Ovcharkas and was looking for a buyer. "It was fate," Stacey said. She looked at the puppies and suggested to her husband, "Let's try it." Kubyn knew little about the dogs, except that they were flock guardians. The broker called them Caucasian shepherds. They took the dogs home to join the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler. Kubyn imported more Ovcharkas through the broker until she had nine.

But she could find out little more about the breed or the specific bloodlines of the dogs that she purchased. After six months, the broker still had not provided a breed standard or any other information she requested.

When Kubyn told friends of her plight, one mentioned that a Soviet woman, who judges all working breeds of dogs in the Soviet Union, might be able to help.

To her dismay, Kubyn leaned that the woman, Elena Kuznetsova, had returned to Leningrad the previous week. In December, Kubyn was able to contact Kuznetsova, a biologist, who is a specialist in methodological education with working dog in the States Kennel Club of the U.S.S.R.

Kubyn learned from Kuznetsova that only 20% of the Ovcharkas in the Soviet Union are purebred. She also learned that some of her original Ovcharkas, although purebred, are not show quality.

Kuznetsova is not a broker, but she wanted to help Kubyn obtain the best bloodlines for foundation stock

in this country. Although she had never met Kubyn, Kuznetsova purchased several dogs as gifts for her even though one Ovcharka costs many months salary in the U.S.S.R.

In the meantime, Kubyn's Rottweiler finished its championship in April and Kubyn passed her Ohio bar exam in May. A lot happened in her life in a short period of time. Kubyn's husband is also an attorney.

Kuznetsova, who lives in a one-room apartment, handpicked five Ovcharkas and kept them in her apartment for three months until she could accompany them to the United States in June.

It was important not to let them come in contact with other dogs in the Soviet Union, Kubyn said. Whole litters of dogs have been wiped out because parvo vaccine is generally unavailable.

Because the dogs were kept in the apartment, Kuznetsova had to perform special exercises with the dogs to keep their muscles from atrophying.

Kuznetsova had to give the dogs shots to prevent them from getting rickets.

Waiting from December until June for the dogs seemed an eternity to Kubyn. Even phone calls to Leningrad were a major production; six families in Kuleshova's apartment building share one phone. "Sometimes I could get through in a day," said Kubyn. "Sometimes it would take two weeks of constant trying."

Kubyn is in the process of setting up a registry and national club of the Caucasian Ovcharka in this country. "We hope The United Kennel Club will accept the breed and we have contacted the States Kennel Club," said Kubyn.

Kuznetsova is planning to return to Leningrad Sept. 18. She will again handpick Ovcharkas to help Kubyn add to her foundation stock. Kubyn will fly to Leningrad in November, or possibly earlier, to visit Ovcharka kennels and to return with the dogs. One of her goals is to establish excellent bloodlines, to keep the costs reasonable and get conscientious people involved with the breed.

Kubyn hopes to find a rancher/breeder who will use the dog for its original purpose of working with flocks. "We don't want to make this breed into Golden Retrievers or gentle giants," she said. "This is a working guard dog that you can leave in the house with children."

Kathleen Thomasson

Kathleen Thomasson
389 days ago

For me, I had Norwegian Elkhounds. I showed and the ones I had were too tall for the standard. After my last one died, I started looking for a breed with simuliar traits but with no top end on the standard. That led me to the rare breeds and from there to the Caucasian Ovcharka. This was about 12 or 13 years ago. I did a year of research and got my first CO, Taloa. It has been a love affair every since, this was in 1998. My guys are show, family members, and protectors of myself and my extendded family. These guys can do it all, you just have to let them know what you expect of them. This is The Breed for me! ;) Kat

Kissui

Kissui
389 days ago

I don't have a CO but when I do it will be for a companion/show/family guardian.

Kathleen Thomasson

Kathleen Thomasson
215 days ago

Tho'ag Tash Caucasians are family protectors, companions, show, and also have and do some visits at schools, and childrens hospitals. When we were in Idaho we were part of a group which did visits with the juvinal division of the jail there with the young guys from ages of 18 up to 24 years old. It was amazing seeing the attitude change of these young men with the Big Dogs! Taima, and an Akita were the favorites.

Suki is the Number 1 CO, of the top Ten, with UKC for 2009 shows, and she has also passed her ATTS. This breed can do whatever you wish them to do, as long as they know what it is that you wish of them.

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