The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is brave and fearless when faced with an adversary – either human or animal – and is one of the most serious guarding breeds in existence. With his family however, he is gentle and loyal, even with children (although he may see kids as things to protect rather than take orders from). He will even protect other pets in the household if he feels they’re in danger (livestock guarding was one of the many duties assigned to this breed). This giant molosser is still rare in the United States.
The coat of the Caucasian is very dense and somewhat long, and it does shed quite a lot! These coats need substantial grooming – and brushing may need to be done daily. Coming from the Russian region, these dogs take better to the cold than the heat. Dogs living in hot temperatures will definitely need frequent brushing to get as much loose undercoat out as possible! Nail care, regular tooth care and ear cleaning should be another part of the grooming routine. Finally, the breed does drool so strategically-placed towels around the house wouldn’t be a horrible idea.
The Caucasian Shepherd benefits from regular exercise which can include daily walks. Doing so will help keep him from getting overweight and putting too much pressure on his joints. Although roaming around a large yard is preferable to not having access to a yard at all, it is in itself not enough. The breed does have a lot of endurance despite being a fairly low-energy animal. He should be kept on leash at all times when off the property, primarily because of his distaste of strangers but also because he is apt to wander. This does not mean he should be kept on a chain in the backyard, however. A fenced yard is a must!
Although intelligent, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be a challenge to train because of their high independence. This said, obedience must be taught and practiced regularly because this is a physically strong, highly protective breed. It is recommended to start the training while young for two reasons – first, a puppy will be easier to control and manage on a leash while obedience is first being introduced. Second, this breed will only work for a person whom he respects – so it is best to start the relationship off by showing that you will be making and enforcing the rules! This breed is not one to blindly follow orders, and is a “thinking” breed that will consider the situation before completing a command.
An untrained Caucasian can turn into a huge liability if not properly trained and managed. This is one of the most territorial and protective breeds in the world, and does not take kindly to people coming into the home – whether it be intruder, household guest or longtime friend of the family. Some owners find they must make sure their dog is crated in another room before having someone visit. This breed is not only a watchdog (his normally quiet self will turn into a barking frenzy when someone enters the property), but is an unquestionable guard dog with fast reflexes and a very strong defense drive. Such a dog needs an owner with lots of experience, particularly with guarding breeds. Furthermore, it is impossible to over-train or over-socialize this breed (provided they are done right) and both are non-negotiable!
Unlike many breeds used for Livestock Protection, the Caucasian Shepherd has a high prey drive and can also be dog-aggressive to other canines coming onto their properties. He was expected to get rid of predators in any way possible, even if it meant chasing after and killing them. While some bloodlines purposefully have tried to weed this trait out, other working lines seek to keep this in the gene pool. While the breed should never be needlessly uncontrollable, it is worth noting that a well-bred Caucasian is, to put it simply… too much dog with too much drive for most people! This is not the same thing as a Saint Bernard or other similarly-looking dog. Do you own a Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Photo By Alexanmder Skoridanov