The Caucasian Owcharka has many names including the Caucasian Sheepdog, Shepherd, Caucasian mountain dog, and Caucasian Ovtcharka. Any of these names will lead you to one of the most precious dogs you can have for a pet. The Caucasian Owcharka was used as a herder when it was first introduced. It is thought that these dogs originated some where in the mountainous region between the Black and Caspian Sea. Most are unsure whether they may have come from Turkey or Iran or somewhere in between. It seems that this dog breed has been around for at least 600 years if not longer. Since they are guard dogs they have been used for many purposes throughout the years. In Russia they were used for sheep guarding and in Berlin they were used for patrol dogs.
The Caucasian Owcharka is a large sized dog, with thick medium length fur. Their tail is generally short, but straight. Their faces resemble the St. Bernard dog breed in that the head is rather wide, with a short medium width muzzle. The eyes also have that sad characteristic despite their happiness. You will find the body is also rather stocky in the neck, behind, and chest area. Their coats are weather resistant, which can keep them from being affected by rain and cold. Most often they are going to be gray, fawn, tan, pied, brindle, and white. They can be a mix of colors with black, white, and gray as well. The ears are very short and also droop. Typically this dog breed will be 25 to 28 inches in height and weight 99 to 154 pounds.
Grooming for the Caucasian Mountain Dog requires daily brushings. They have two coat varieties, one that is short and the other medium length. The longer hair will become tangled and matted if you do not brush it at least once a day. Both types of coats do need to be brushed, the short hair just needs less frequency in a week. You will also want to pay attention to their ears, eyes, and feet during the grooming stage to make sure they have not developed any cuts from the daily exercise. They can live for ten to eleven years with the proper care. Like most large dogs the Caucasian Owcharka can develop hip dysplasia, but they are relatively healthy dogs otherwise.
For proper care of your dog you will find they need a large yard. They will not do well in apartments because of their size and they need to be able to run around. As long as it has proper shelter it can even stay outside during the day. Training is definitely a must with this lovable breed. They need to be socialized early and placed in obedient training. Since they are herding dogs and guardians they have a dominant personality. This means you need to show them who the master is, to help them understand training, but always be consistent and firm. Never use a harsh hand when dealing with them. They have a wonderful personality for any dog owner, but most particularly they need some one who can take the time to train them and be with them. They demand respect. Since they are courageous, assertive, and stubborn they make a great dog. They are also very alert to the situation around them. Once they have been socialized they can be with children, cats, and other dogs. Their instincts are to protect rather than to harm those in the family. They will also offer a great deal of affection for their family.