caucasianshepherd

The origins of the Caucasian Shepherd dog - Caucasian Ovcharka – are lost way back in the dim mists of prehistory. Geographically isolated over thousands of years in the extremely harsh conditions of the Russian Caucasian mountains led to a natural selection process by which only the largest and most aggressive animals managed to survive and continue the breed. In addition to this, the Soviet armed forces began selectively breeding these dogs with the intention of producing a more trainable and complacent service dog, which resulted in the Caucasian Shepherd dog as we know it. A noble and magnificent guard dog that’s as loving and gentle towards its human family as it is hostile and aggressive towards strangers.

During the time they were used solely as shepherd dogs, the Caucasian Shepherd became aggressive towards people and animals; and, during the time they were used by the soviet armed forces as a service dog, they went through training to obtain other skills. As military service dogs, the Caucasian Shepherds dogs would patrol borders, guard prisoners of war, and carry out other high-risk jobs.

The aim was to breed a dog that would be aggressive but at the same time capable of being trained and controlled. And this is how today’s Caucasian Shepherd dog stands out from other shepherd dogs: it is more trainable and more aggressive.

At present, the modern Caucasian Shepherd dog is on two basic defence-protection levels:
On the one hand, the Caucasian Shepherds that remained up in the mountains to keep their flocks safe or protect to their human family are at a lower defence-protection level. On the other hand, there are those bred by the Soviet armed forces to be more aggressive military dogs but at the same time more open to being trained and controlled. These differences have remained intact: some dogs are bred to protect warehouses, work with military services, and others are bred to protect their families.

This is why, when choosing a puppy, its level of defence-protection must be taken into account and be in line with the needs of its new owners.

Caucasian Shepherd dogs are big and, in general, low energy, which means they are suitable for small spaces as long as they’re taken on long daily walks. They need to have a “job” even if it is to simply go for a walk around the neighbourhood (their idea of patrolling the area), or a quick obedience training lesson, is enough to keep them happy. This is why obedience training is easy if it is encouraged from an early age.