A robust, solemn guardian breed, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain could be fearless, self-confident, and fierce once they detect a menace. With correct coaching, they’ll additionally turn into a faithful, loyal, and affectionate family pet.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain profile
The Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain will get its name from the Caucasus mountains, which are residence to one of many oldest dwelling Molosser dog breeds.
While Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain is the most typical name for these noble dogs, options embrace Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian sheepdog, Caucasian mountain dog, Kavkaski Owtscharka, and Kaukasische Schäferhund.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain dogs had been used for hundreds of years to guard properties from trespassers, guard livestock against massive and small predators comparable to wolves and coyotes, and for a lot of different duties. In modern days, particularly within the West, they’re mostly companions and watchdogs.
There is a great number of varieties among the many Caucasian dogs relying on their residence area. For nearly a century, there were two breed varieties and requirements:
The Mountain king, which is long-coated and has a heavier body mass than the Steppe kind, a shorter-coated dog with a lighter body mass. Other names for the breed embrace Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Sheepdog, Kawkasky Owtscharka, and Kaukasische Schäferhund.
History of the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain
In existence since ancient occasions, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain has been used for hundreds of years to guard properties from trespassers and guard livestock from predators comparable to wolves and coyotes.
There’s a great selection in Caucasian dogs relying on their residence area; all through history, this breed was launched into the bloodlines of a lot of immediately world breeds.
The Caucasian dog is taken into account to be an in-depth relative of the sheepdogs of the Balkans and mastiffs of Asia. These huge, bear-like dogs are notably comparable in look and nature to the Tibetan mastiff, as they’re each working dog breeds with a long history defending inventory and flocks.
The first point out of a big molosser dog, which was utilized by the military of Armenian Tsar Tigran the II, dates from the first century BC.
However, choice work with the breed began within the 1920s to develop personality traits, comparable to bodily power, fearlessness, sharp listening to and sight, endurance, and self-confidence.
They additionally had been in a position to develop the breed’s dense mackintosh. Selective breeding has allowed people to personal Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain dogs in every kind of climate, together with these with more excessive temperatures.
For practically a century, there have been two breed varieties and requirements of the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain:
Mountain: A long-coated dog with a heavier body mass
Steppe: A shorter-coated, lighter dog
These dogs traditionally served a vital position to shepherds within the Caucasus mountains as guard dogs; they defended sheep from predators like jackals, wolves, and bears.
Today, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain nonetheless serves its guardian position and they’re generally used as companions and watchdogs.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains are additionally used as present dogs underneath the name of Caucasian Ovcharka. They stay one in every of Russia’s most popular working dog breeds for flock safety, as guard dogs, and within the present ring.
The Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain dog is a completely standardized breed, acknowledged by main kennel organizations together with the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain Care
An intelligent breed, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain could be cussed, strong-willed, and insolent on occasions. They require a great deal of coaching as a result of incorrect dealing with, this breed can turn aggressive towards different people and animals. The average Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain is assertive and brave, in addition to courageous, sturdy, and alert.
Thanks to its history as a watchdog and protector, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain is extraordinarily territorial and may turn aggressive when it feels its family is being threatened.
Although sure variations can turn into more vicious than others, they’ll all be dog-aggressive and suspicious of strangers—as such, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain requires early socialization in addition to constant, skilled dealing with and coaching.
Providing loads of train and playtime may help stop weight problems within the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain, as sure variants of this breed are thought of as low-activity and seemingly torpid once they aren’t working—which is once they can shortly turn into alert and agile.
Due to their working life within the mountains, these massive dogs are well-suited for outside endurance activities, comparable to climbing.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain Diet and Nutrition
The number of meals an Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain must be fed will depend on how a lot it weighs. The largest Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains can attain as much as 170 pounds, they usually require about 6 cups of meals per day.
It’s vital to verify feeding schedules with a veterinarian and have your dog weighed on a number of occasions a year. Obesity is usually a downside for Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains, so a diet adjustment could also be necessary to assist the dog to preserve a wholesome weight.
You are going to need to feed your Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain Dog a method that can cater to his distinctive digestive wants all through the assorted phases of his life.
You ought to proceed with the meals your breeder recommends till your pet is no less than 6 months old (except there’s a compelling purpose to alter).
Reputable breeders will assist you to make sure that your pet receives proper nutrition with high-quality meals that assist him/her develop in a wholesome approach.
When it’s time to alter, many dog meal firms have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, massive and extra-large breeds. Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains are a large-extra-large breed. A superb basic rule is to keep away from kibbles with low-quality components, as these are usually not digestible.
What you feed your dog is a personal alternative, however, working together with your veterinarian and/or breeder can be one of the simplest ways to find out the frequency of meals as a pet and the perfect adult diet to extend his longevity. Clean, contemporary water must be accessible always.
The greatest food choices for Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains are high in protein and embrace high-quality vegetable components. Many homeowners select to feed their dogs twice a day—as soon as within the morning and as soon as within the night.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains are inclined to drink loads of water, so it is vital to at all times have contemporary sources accessible always. Be certain to supply water to your dog typically, particularly once you’re on energetic excursions.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain Grooming
The Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain has quite a lot of coat varieties, from very long to brief. Longer-coated dogs need to be groomed day by day.
Grooming is usually a fantastic bonding experience for you and your pet. Their sturdy fast-growing nails must be trimmed recurrently with a nail clipper or grinder to keep away from overgrowth, splitting, and cracking.
Their ears must be checked recurrently to keep away from a buildup of wax and particles which can lead to an infection. Teeth must be brushed recurrently.
Exercise
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountains do greatest with a big yard and are appropriate for households that like day by day walk. For security, as a result of they’re an intelligent and impartial breed, they need to be saved when exercised, comparable to in a fenced yard and on-leash when being walked.
Even although it’s a low-energy dog, he ought to have good endurance for strolling and climbing. Some breeders encourage endurance assessments.
Training
Extremely impartial and intelligent, the Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain Dog can show tough to coach for obedience however not unattainable. Although energetic whereas open air, they’re normally pretty quiet in the home.
Prospective homeowners ought to be aware: the breed is very protective of their family and property, so it could be tough to deliver people into your private home.
Ovcharka Caucasian Mountain Health
Like all breeds, there could also be some health points. Some dogs could also be confronted with these points of their lives, however, the majority of Caucasian Ovcharkas are wholesome dogs.
Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to personal a Caucasian Ovcharka can acquire the education they need to find out about particular health considerations throughout the breed.
Good breeders make the most of genetic testing of their breeding inventory to scale back the probability of illness of their puppies.
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