The Mucuchies

The Mucuchies hails from the mountains of Venezuala, where it is the only dog breed native to the country. Descendants of the dogs brought by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s and 1600s – their early heritage probably consisted of Pyrenean Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Great Pyrenees and Algerian Mastiff which then mixed with local dogs. Later on it is thought that (English) Mastiffs might have been added. Like their ancestors, they are natural livestock guardians and protectors of their families, and they have herding instincts as well. Although they have been around since before the 19th century and were once popular, nowadays they are sadly very rare. Fanciers, in particular a group called the Navado Foundation, have been making an effort to revive the breed so that they don’t go completely extinct.

Mucuchies are known for being confident and brave, and in fact it was these traits which originally set the breed on the path to popularity. In the 1800’s a man named Simon Bolivar (a Venezuelan soldier who led revolutions against Spanish rule) came upon a puppy in the town of Mucuchies which would not let him nor his men get too close to the gate of his master’s property. Bolivar was impressed with this puppy’s courageous attitude and the puppy’s owner ended up gifting him to the man. The puppy was later named Navado (meaning snow), and accompanied his new owner on the campaign for independence, even saving his life on numerous occasions! Tragically Navado was eventually killed in battle, however he had played his part in the quest for independence which led to the local popularity of the breed!

The Mucuchies should never live a life of solitude as he can develop severe separation anxiety or even become aggressive. This is a breed that bonds very strongly to his family and must have enough regular contact with them in order to be “ok” and happy. He is incredibly loyal and faithful but is also sensitive in this regard. With children he is protective and can even be overprotective, so socialization with other people is vital to ensure he develops appropriately. He fits best into a home where his family is home regularly, and children are at least big enough not to get bowled over by his rambunctiousness! Overall he is affectionate and loving, but has the capability for being a fierce protector if needed.

The Mucuchies needs a job to do and benefits from training. Know that he can be stubborn when bored, and therefore does best with training that is divided into many short sessions (versus a long drawn-out session). Keep the training interesting and incorporate different challenges as you go. He is far too intelligent to just repeat the same things over and over, so while the act of training does need a certain amount of repetition, there are ways of doing so while incorporating novelty into the sessions. Make it fun and you will see that he is indeed trainable!

The Mucuchies needs a fair amount of exercise every day – at least 45 minutes of enthusiastic exercise as he is quite active! This said, an owner does need to be mindful of the type of exercise given to growing puppies. Like other large breeds, certain activities can be too much for the joints of a young dog (such as too much running on a hard surface or repetitive jumping). Once the dog has fully grown these activities are ok, but caution should be taken until then. Otherwise, giving the young dog access to a grassy, fenced yard should be helpful. This is a breed that is best kept in a home with a backyard as compared to an apartment, and as their thick coat is very well-suited to cold mountain weather they do best in colder climates.

The Mucuchies is a large dog with a double coat which is medium-long in length and very dense. It can be wavy but never curly, and is always predominately white with black, gray or honey markings. This coat does need regular brushing, as he is known to shed quite profusely in the hotter seasons. He needs a bath much less frequently although since baths can help “move the shedding process along”, can be bathed more frequently as long as a good quality dog shampoo is used.

Photo By Wilfredor

The Chuandong Hound

The Chuandong Hound is a faithful, attentive and noble breed with a regal appearance. Stemming directly from the ancient Chinese Chongqing Dog, he is one result of the split of that breed into two separate breeds – this one being the “hunting type” from the mountainous regions, while the other (Chongqing Dog) is the “city type” which is more of a guarding molosser. While similar in appearance, the Chuandong has a longer muzzle and a different head shape altogether, and is leaner and a little bigger (although not too big, this is still a small to medium breed). The Chongqing has an underbite while the Chuandong has a scissor bite. The eyes are almond shaped rather than oval. The topline is level, unlike the Chongqing’s rise above the croup. Finally, unlike the Chongqing which is allowed to appear in either red or black, the Chuandong can only come in red. The breed is recognized by the China Kennel Union but is very rare.

While the Chuandong is considered a scenthound first and foremost, some have used him for the secondary purpose of guard work. With a brave demeanor and a gifted mind wrapped in a powerful body, he is capable of playing the role of guard dog without any additional training, although is a poor choice for bite work sports or police work. He will raise the alarm to strangers and people at the door, and may or may not choose to pursue further measures depending upon how likely he sees the person as a threat. He has a dominant nature and does require an owner who is knowledgeable and experienced. For those that can handle him, he is very intelligent and willing to learn obedience.

Chuandongs have been said to be cat-like in demeanor, which probably comes from their primitive heritage. They like to be clean and lick themselves like cats to keep themselves spotless. They move effortlessly through the house and aren’t prone to knocking things over or being boundlessly clumsy. They can move their ears independently to listen to sounds. They are also very quick to housebreak. That said, they do like to play and enjoy being around their owners just like other dogs. Although more work than a cat (particularly in the training department), this breed is fairly easy care overall. Chuandong Hounds barely shed at all as they have an ultra short, single coat. This means that for most people, they are hypoallergenic.

The Chuandong Hound isn’t terribly social around other dogs, especially those whom he’s never met before. He may be prone to fighting and should be given lots of early socialization if he is to live with other dogs. He loves children and is very good with them, although shouldn’t be teased. When it comes to human strangers, he is aloof and may be prone to barking. With his own family he is loyal and affectionate, and while he can be independent he does form deep attachments. An ideal household for this breed is one that is fairly calm and not prone to throwing huge parties or being otherwise chaotic.

Chuandongs are able to live in apartments as long as they are exercised regularly, although this isn’t ideal. They do best when in a home with a yard for them to stretch their legs, and when provided with this can manage just fine with a 30 minute walk, hike or jog each day. Make sure to keep this active hound on a leash when exercising as they are prone to running off in search of interesting smells!

Chuandong Hounds are known for their long lifespans when kept as companions – living to 18-20 is considered normal! Those who have been traditionally been used for hunting often have shorter lifespans as their tenacious natures and high prey drives have gotten them into trouble… they have no fear and have been known to fall off cliffs in pursuit of animals such as cows! Lethal hunting accidents were not uncommon, nor were casualties of dog fights. Two Chuandongs in a fight have been known to inflict serious injuries upon eachother, as their determined nature means that neither wants to let go or give up the fight. All of that said… provided that they are well-cared for and kept out of harm’s way, they are likely to live a long time and gift their owners with countless years of enjoyment.

Photo By Markus Monroe

The Moscow Watchdog

The Moscow Watchdog originated in Russia as a powerful guard dog. Similar in appearance to a Saint Bernard, but with a temperament more akin to that of a Caucasian Shepherd – those two breeds are in fact most of the makeup of this breed (in addition to the Russian Harlequin Hound). The breed was created to fill the demand for a protective guarding dog in a country facing rising crime after World War 2. The dog needed to be able to adapt to the very harsh temperatures of Russia, and would also need to be adaptable to working in a variety of urban environments. Originally produced by the military, the first standard was written in 1958. The breed was later recognized by the Russian Kennel Club in 1997. Currently the breed is not recognized by the FCI, nor by the AKC in the United States, and is fairly unknown in most places of the world outside of Russia.

Intelligent and obedient, the Moscow is gentle with his family but can quickly turn into a formidable opponent towards “the bad guys”. When correctly raised and socialized he should have a balanced temperament that is confident and self-assured, aloof towards strangers, and should never be randomly aggressive. This said – emphasis should be placed on “correctly raised and socialized”. He needs a good start in life that entails plenty of enrichment, well-rounded socialization and regular training sessions in order to develop this correct temperament! As with many guarding breeds, he needs an owner that understands the importance of establishing/maintaining household rules and order. His protective instincts are a special feature of the breed, but can become a liability if he is raised without any structure!

Developed to be highly trainable, the Watchdog can do very well in obedience when taught by an experienced person. He is strong-willed so a novice dog owner may not find him quick to perform commands, but a knowledgeable trainer will likely be able to “train him up” just fine. He needs a firm (yet not abusive) hand from a trainer that is fair and respectful of the dog, while also requiring respect in return. Because of the sheer size of this breed, training is not an optional task but an absolute necessity!

Watchdogs need regular exercise because, despite their lumbering size, they were bred to work! This said, they don’t require countless hours of jogging but rather do best when given a long daily walk (or the equivalent). This dog is more of the “slow and steady” type as compared to very active, energetic breeds. They just require a different type of activity! Exercise helps not only the body, but the brain, so a regular routine will serve the added purpose of keeping their minds stimulated and make them less likely to act out or have behavioral problems.

It is worth noting that the Moscow Watchdog is not known for being overly demonstrative with his affection. This is not to say that he doesn’t enjoy the company of his owner, just that he shows his affection in a quiet, calm manner. As long as an owner doesn’t take his aloof nature personally, they might even find this calm nature to be peaceful. Indeed, he can be an excellent house companion when his needs are met (assuming the house is big enough – he does need room to stretch out)!

In terms of appearance, the Moscow is a giant breed. The average height of males is 30-31″, and there is no upper size limit which means they can get even taller! The low end of the weight spectrum (for a male) is 120 pounds, and they are frequently heavier. The coat is medium-long and dense, with a thick undercoat. The color is white with spots of red, red-black, black-red, or sable. White must be present on the chest, forearms, hocks and tip of tail. A dog with black mask, monocles, and ears is highly regarded according to the standard. The tail is long, wide, and hangs with a slight curve at the end.

Photo By Edmontcz

The Campeiro Bulldog

The Campeiro Bulldog hails from southern Brazil and originated from bulldogs brought by European settlers in the 19th century. While not everyone agrees on the exact origin, it is clear that molosser types (bulldog and mastiff types) served as the “ingredients” in the creation of this breed. In terms of purpose, Campeiros were used to catch and hold livestock such as cattle. This catch dog role was traditionally carried out in slaughterhouses – a role that was useful although eventually became banned in their home country. Partially because of the ban, this bulldog became more rare and even faced extinction before thankfully being saved by fanciers in the 1970’s. Numbers eventually recovered enough that they were recognized by the Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia (Brazilian Kennel Club) in 2001. They are not recognized by the AKC nor the FCI.

Some Campeiros do just fine when living with other dogs while others are not particularly friendly, even towards housemates. While early experiences, training and socialization can all factor into dog-friendliness, genetics will also play a large part. This said, around their owners almost all are intensely loyal and very calm. The breed is touted as being incredibly faithful, devoted and loving.

Campeiro Bulldogs are intelligent and can be obedient when trained. As they have natural guarding instincts and additionally can be prone to resource guarding, it is necessary to instill basic obedience training while they are young so they can be controlled once they mature into powerful dogs. Early socialization is also important. It’s natural for them to be initially suspicious of strangers but they shouldn’t be afraid or overly aggressive – and socialization is one of the puzzle pieces for a well-tempered adult dog. When properly trained and socialized they have the potential to be very versatile animals who can accomplish all number of tasks. These powerful dogs still have the tenacious instincts of a catch dog and can work with cattle if desired.

According to the standard, the Campeiro should give an imposing appearance to the observer, being overall robust and very broad. The dog should look just as strong as he actually is! He is medium-sized in height but his broad muscular build puts him in the heavyweight category in terms of weight, with males able to reach close to 100 pounds! The head, like the rest of the body, is large and broad with a short, square muzzle. The ears are set high and far apart, and hang to the sides of the head. The coat is short and smooth, being neither soft nor harsh to the touch. All colors are allowed except for merle.

The Campeiro Bulldog is a quiet dog that doesn’t bark if he doesn’t have reason to. This, combined with his calm nature, makes him a pleasant house companion. That said he is an active dog and definitely needs daily exercise! Playing with the kids in the yard is one way to “blow off some steam” (most members of the breed love children), but he also benefits greatly from structured walks or jogging excursions.

The Campeiro is adaptable to many different living situations and can also live in any climate (when common sense is taken, of course). The average lifespan is 11-12 years and most members remain healthy throughout their lives when cared for properly. Hip dysplasia can occur, so prospective owners will want to make sure they get their dog through a responsible breeder who health tests. Still incredibly rare in this country, a prospective owner will likely have to import a dog from Brazil.

The Chongqing Dog

The Chongqing Dog is said to be one of the oldest breeds in the world – its history can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago! This Chinese breed was originally bred as a hunting dog but as urbanization grew, it gradually lost its purpose and numbers began to fall. The breed was revived in the 70’s and took on more of a utilitarian purpose – being used for a number of varied jobs including protecting crops from wild pigs and as a guard dog. Today, he is primarily used as a protection dog, and he excels at this task thanks to his fearless and courageous nature. This primitive molosser is one of the rarest breeds of dog today and while it is recognized by the China Kennel Union, is still yet unrecognized by FCI or any clubs in America. To make matters somewhat confusing, the original breed – Chinese Chongqing Dog, was split into two breeds just recently in 2018: into the Chongqing Dog and the Chuandong Hound.

The Chongqing is outgoing with people he knows, aloof with those he doesn’t, but fierce with small animals thanks to a strong prey drive. Despite his small size he has a huge personality and possesses confidence in spades! As stated above, his specialty is guarding and not only will he alert to the presence of danger but he will back up his threat if he feels it necessary to do so. However, this loyal and dignified guard is gentle with his family and gets along well those whom he loves, including children. The guarding talents of this Chinese breed are natural and require little training, although it should be noted that they aren’t recommended for competition bite work.

Chongqings enjoy all manner of activity and exploring new places with their noses (they are talented with scent detection skills). They are always on alert, whether it be looking out for possible danger or an animal to chase! Being both tough and agile they don’t mind “getting dirty” if the situation calls for it, and in fact many relish the opportunity! While they aren’t known for being aggressive with other dogs for no reason, they aren’t terribly social either and aren’t a good choice for the dog park.

In terms of color, the Congqing Dog comes in either black or red (of dark or light shades) with a dark black mask on the head. Like several other Chinese breeds, the tongue is blue or has blue spots. The coat itself is extremely short and very harsh in texture. His square head has natural wrinkles on the brow beneath naturally erect ears, and features a powerful muzzle with prominent cheeks and a well-defined stop. He is squarely built and extremely muscular with an unusually-shaped tail which is set high and carried stiffly. Although he is small in stature his weight upgrades him into the medium-size category.

The Chongqing is intelligent but powerful, which means that obedience training is important to establish control. Naturally independent, he requires an owner who is stable-tempered (cool and collected) that can be consistent with lessons. Furthermore he needs training that is firm, yet fair and should only be owned by the experienced dog person. Once trained, he will take his job seriously.

The average lifespan for the Chongqing is 12-13 years and they remain playful for many of their years. They only require a brushing and nail trim about once a week and the occasional bath, making them fairly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. Like all dogs, they do need regular dental care. The majority of their care will be in the form of early and frequent socialization, consistent obedience training, and routine exercise.

Chongqing Dogs can live in apartments if they are sufficiently exercised but only IF they are sufficiently exercised! They do need regular, daily excursions to work out their impressive muscles so unless an owner is able to provide this, they would be better suited to a home with a small yard. A long daily walk is the bare minimum for these stocky little guys and they’d be even more thrilled to accompany their owner on a hiking expedition! Just make sure any hikes are carried out on-leash, as their prey drive necessitates that they be kept safely clipped to a lead at all times. In addition (when it comes to owner compatibility), the breed is most suited to calm households as they don’t do well with an excess of household chaos.

By Markus Monroe

The Sicilian Shepherd

The Sicilian Shepherd (AKA the Spino Degli Iblei) is Italy’s 17th dog breed, having been recently recognized as a local breed by the Italian Dog Association (ENCI) in 2015. Although not yet recognized by the FCI or abroad, this is still a great accomplishment for a breed that had been in danger of extinction. Evidence of bearded dogs have been recorded in the region of Sicily since the 17th century and there is even talk of the breed having been around since the Bronze Age, however it wasn’t until 2014 that the first breed club was founded. This is a livestock guarding dog, used primarily to protect sheep and goats from wolves.

As might be assumed by a dog bred to face off against wolves, the Sicilian is very brave and confident which makes him a wonderful choice as a family guard dog as well! This said, with his family he is affectionate, sweet and very loyal. He can do well living with children, and is gentle enough to make a good therapy dog. This dual nature is one of the key traits that the breed is known and bred for. Not all livestock guardian breeds are as well-adapted to family life as the Sicilian! The breed is also obedient, docile and intelligent which makes him a good house companion although he does love to spend a lot of time outdoors. As he has fairly high exercise requirements, he does best with active owners.

The Sicilian Shepherd is a large, robust and rustic dog. It has thick bone and should look strong when observed, with a massive head. The coat is long, thick and fairly wavy with a very substantial texture to it. The face is equally covered in thick hair which should form a “wig” of eyebrows, mustache and beard. Colors include white/black, white/fawn (in all shades) or solid white, and there must always be at least one white spot on the chest. The tail is long and carried low, but will raise substantially in movement or excitement. The dog’s gait should be free and fluid, and the dog should never trudge while trotting.

By Canarian

The Czech Mountain Dog

The Czech Mountain Dog (AKA Bohemian Mountain Dog) is the youngest Czech breed – formed in the late 1970’s. Originating from a combination of the Slovak Cuvac and various Canadian mixed-breed working dogs, primarily those of sled-dog origins, they were eventually recognized by the Czech Kennel Club in 1984. While originally used as a mushing dog, today this Czech breed is used primarily as an avalanche rescue dog and loyal companion. They are well-suited to mountainous regions and are capable of being used for a number of hardy jobs, however are equally adept at numerous dog sports as well! This has given them a small but devoted following in their home country, despite the fact that they are basically unknown elsewhere. It is thought that there are only about 200 registered at the time of this blog’s publishing date.

The Czech Mountain should never be aggressive when raised correctly, and in fact tends towards being submissive in general. However if a real threat exposes itself he is fully ready and capable of defending the family! He gets along with all sizes of animals including other dogs, and is well-behaved and playful around children. It may take him a minute to warm up to strangers but will quickly make friends once he sees there is no reason to worry. In general he is devoted, friendly and easy to be around, with a sparkling personality and calm affectionate nature. He was created to be an easy-to-manage and undemanding dog.

Czech Mountain Dogs are generally easy to train for those who can be firm yet fair, and the breed tends to do well in competitions. They can naturally herd livestock, guard the homestead, work as therapy animals, and can be easily taught skills for search and rescue. This is a breed that needs a job in order to be happy so obedience is recommended as a baseline followed by other more-specific tasks. Agility, canicross, skijouring, bikejouring, canine freestyle, carting and sledding are all activities in which this breed excels! This intelligent breed is also known for solving problems on their own, making them wonderful partners in all manner of tasks. Because they form very strong bonds with their owners, they can become sensitive to their owner’s moods which can either help or hinder them in performance.

The Czech Mountain is lively and active so he does require daily exercise and a home with a large yard. He would be a great hiking companion as he enjoys being in the outdoors and thrives on exercise that is based on endurance. Cross-country skiers take note – this dog will gladly run with you! Barring that, a long daily walk and/or a several-mile jog is a necessity – and this will hold true even in the worst of weather! In his home country it is common for him to live outside since he is so hardy and built for harsh environments – so while he can live inside, his owner must provide plenty of “nature time” throughout the day. He’s also built for the cold and will likely be unhappy in a house with the heater blasting.

Czech Mountain Dogs are always parti-colored (white in combination with any other color) and the head must never be solid white. The coat is straight and medium-long in length, slightly longer on the back of the thighs and tail. This is a large breed with a body structure that should suggest strength. The hanging ears are set high and wide apart, and the eyes are oval shaped and dark in color, with dark pigmented eyelids. There is a slight variation in appearance between many members of this breed, likely due to to its versatile working background, but the breed’s standard seeks to regulate that appearance. Ideally this will be done while not losing any of the wonderful working abilities or even-temperament of the breed.

Photo By DeinaAjax

The Majorero

The Majorero is an old Spanish working breed that has been around for centuries. He was used as a sheep and cattle herder, protector of the home and flock, and as a farm companion. Recognized as a native breed by the Real Socieded Canina de España (Spanish Kennel Club) in 1994, the breed is actually thought to be 500-600 years old. This very old breed is also low in numbers and as it started to reach almost-extinction levels, the Association for the Conservation of the Perro Majorero was organized in 2008 in order to save it. Slowly the public in Spain is re-discovering this ancient breed and numbers are beginning to climb slowly upward. That said, this still remains a very rare breed and is virtually unknown in most of the world.

Majoreros do best in homes with yards as not only do they need room to roam, but as ranch dogs they actually enjoy being outdoors more than being stuck inside. A moderate amount of daily exercise in addition to yard time is recommended to keep their muscles and minds healthy, although surprisingly they aren’t good candidates for strenuous exercise either. Historically they spent most of their time slowly wandering their domains while keeping watch, and aren’t as active as most other ranch-type breeds. They are recommended for experienced dog owners without small children as they are a territorial guarding breed which can be dominant as well as aggressive (to strangers) in the wrong hands. This is a dog that needs early and frequent socialization combined with proper training and strict household rules.

When it comes to training, the Majorero can be stubborn as he was bred to work fairly independently and to think for himself. Consistency is key, as well as an owner that understands how to be firm while training. It will take time to teach him, and even more time for the commands to become reliable. Take note that the breed doesn’t tend to get along well with other dogs, and while training will ideally allow him to tolerate their presence he likely won’t be a good candidate for a multi-dog household. On the plus side, however – his natural instincts for guarding and herding take little to no training at all in order for him to do those jobs! As a dog that thrives on having a job to do, it is actually recommended that he be given some sort of task to keep his mind stimulated.

The Majorero has a dignified and well-behaved temperament in the home, however he is protective and passionate about making sure his family is safe. When no danger is present, however, he is quietly affectionate and gentle with those whom he knows and loves. This is not a breed that will lick you to death or be otherwise overly demonstrative with his affections – instead opting for a more reserved display of his fondness. Except when danger arises, he is generally very calm.

There is a bit of variation between one Majorero and the next as this breed was developed solely for working purposes. Conformation wasn’t deemed important at all in the early years of the breed and it was only recently that a standard was actually drawn up. This said, according to the standard the dog should be medium in size with a compact square body and a croup that is higher than the withers. Weight varies considerably from about 55 pounds in a small female, to close to 100 pounds in a large male. Double dewclaws are an important featured trait. The color is always brindle and may actually have a greenish hue in the sunlight, despite there being no actual green in the coat. The coat is short, thick, and fairly soft. The standard also states that the tail is traditionally docked up to the hock joint only, which means only the last few vertebra are taken, giving him a slightly shorter tail.

Photo By Anja Griesand

The Cursinu

The Cursinu (AKA the Corsican Dog) has been around since the 16th century. Originating on the island of Corsica, the Cursinu was used to herd and guard flocks, in addition to being used as a hunting dog and a guard dog for the home. This is a primitive-type breed that has faced extinction in the past due to the modernization of farming, however several clubs and interested parties are currently working to keep the breed from dying out. In the process, the breed managed to become recognized by the French Kennel Club in 2003 and currently as of today, there are over 2200 dogs recorded by the breed’s parent club in France. This relatively unknown, yet distinctively versatile breed is most often used in wild boar hunting today and is still able to handle a vast number of jobs given to it.

The Cursinu is described as a rustic country dog. The breed is active and very capable of adapting to a limitless number of jobs and tasks, particularly hunting. He is loyal and devoted to his owner and is as good of a companion as he is a reliable worker, but he does need lots of exercise – both physical as well as mental! Long walks or jogs every day would be a good start, in addition to more interesting and engaging forms of exercise. Unsurprisingly because of his background, he requires an owner who can give him jobs that provide plenty of physical and mental outlets. He would be most at home with an owner who can let him herd livestock or hunt, but could also benefit from dog sports such as tracking, rally or agility. The breed is said to be hyperactive until about the age of 1, after which point he tends to “settle” into… a fairly energetic dog!

The Cursinu is wary around strangers but generally docile and affectionate with those whom he knows. His alert nature, territorial disposition, and tendency to bark when he feels something is wrong makes the Cursinu a good watchdog and even guard dog. He can be protective of his owners if he feels they are in danger. He is gentle with children and can get along with cats when socialized to them early. With other dogs he is usually polite yet reserved. Although he’s great with most animals, small pocket pets may be in danger if they are left to wander the home un-caged because of this breed’s high prey drive. This prey drive also makes him more likely to wander so a fenced yard is definitely recommended!

The Cursinu is a very healthy breed in general with no health issues regularly seen, and an average lifespan of 12-15 years. He can adapt to any type of weather and is able to live either inside or outside. Many owners find that the breed requires only very infrequent visits to the vet and is quite low-maintenance in terms of health care. Grooming is also considered low-maintenance as he requires only an easy weekly brushing and the occasional bath. Nail trimming, dental care, and ear cleaning should also be added to the schedule but is easy enough to complete. Shedding is fairly low all year round, with slightly more hair loss twice a year.

The Cursinu is intelligent yet independent, and often requires more training than other breeds because of this independence. He also has a stubborn nature combined with a strong prey drive meaning that an owner/trainer must be patient when working him around highly distractible situations. With a strong personality and an often willful nature, an owner needs to be firm with this breed while remaining fair. Furthermore, without enough physical and mental stimulation (AKA training) the Cursinu can be destructive. Just one more reason that training is a necessity!

The Cursinu is a medium-sized dog with either a short or mid-length coat – the latter which often comes with fringes. The color is most often brindle in a variety of different shades. The ears are either hanging or rose shaped, but always triangular. The muzzle is shaped like a truncated pyramid and relatively thin. The tail is long, thick and well supplied with hair. At rest the tail can either hang low or be curled up onto the back.

Photo By Küchenkraut

The Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog

The Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog is a devoted livestock guardian breed and household watchdog with an even temperament and generally calm demeanor. He loves his human family with all of his heart and is a dependable companion and alert protector. With a dignified personality that matches his grandiose appearance, this is not the type of dog that will demand attention frequently or otherwise act like an obnoxious pest, nor will he cower in the corner anxiously. This is a confident but laid-back breed that will step up to any challenge if he feels his owner or other charges are in danger, and the breed is well-known for even confronting bears when necessary – usually while protecting cattle. The breed gets its name from the raven-black color of the coat, and has been recognized by the Romanian Kennel Club since 2008.

The Romanian Raven Shepherd has an abundant, medium-long coat which is straight and rough. The head and parts of the legs are covered with short hair. As mentioned above, the color is always black, or black with white markings on the chest and forequarters although black must cover at least 80% of the dog. When two dogs of otherwise equal merit are being judged, the dog with the most black should be prioritized. Other key traits of the breed include a deep chest, a powerful and massive head, small almond-shaped eyes, v-shaped hanging ears, and a high-set pendant tail.

Ravens are active dogs that can get silly and joyous in play with their owners, and especially love playing with children. They tend to be gentle even with the smallest of kids. They do need owners that are able to exercise them regularly not only with games in the backyard but also with long daily walks of at least an hour a day. For this reason the breed isn’t for everyone as they require not only active owners, but those who live in homes with enough space to accommodate them. Like many livestock guardians, Ravens are often good with all sorts of animals as long as they are introduced to them while young. This includes cats and even smaller pets. This tolerance doesn’t hold true for animals that wander into their territory however, as they are not very forgiving towards strange dogs (or other animals) that suddenly appear on their property.

The Romanian Raven has a loud, thunderous voice which he will use when a stranger enters the property. He may tend to bark frequently, as anything out of place may cause his suspicions to rise so he is best living in a home without close neighbors! Like most livestock guardian dogs he is suspicious of people whom he doesn’t know. Standing up to 31 inches at the withers and reaching up to 130 pounds, this dog can easily take down a threat if he needs to! For this reason it’s doubly important to socialize him extensively while young to ensure the proper temperament develops. Even with socialization, know that this isn’t the best dog for people who enjoy throwing weekly parties at the house as he doesn’t love having house guests over.

Raven Shepherds are intelligent and generally submissive to their owners, making them easy to train in general. This said, they are independent-minded and are not push-button obedience dogs either. With consistency and plenty of guidance, however, they can become wonderfully trained members of the family! As the breed tends to live an average of 12 years it is important to start young and introduce training while they are still at an easier size to manage. It is also interesting to note that although they usually love everyone in the family, they will generally choose one person who they are more likely to “listen to”. This said, the whole family can (and should) take part in training as this will benefit everyone and promote an even stronger bond!

Photo By Canarian