The Romanian Bucovina Shepherd is so named because he developed in the Bukovina region of Romania. This livestock guardian breed is one of three FCI-recognized Romanian shepherd breeds which also includes the Mioritic and Carpathian. He also did double duty as a household watchdog as well, and was even known to have given his life for his owner or his flock when met with an extreme adversary. Recognized by the Romanian Kennel Club and the FCI, the breed is thought to have been created in the 1700’s although the first standard wasn’t written until 1982. His temperament is calm and even-tempered, with a loyal nature and a love of children.
Bucovina Shepherds can take some work to train because they were bred to think for themselves. However, like many molosser breeds, they absolutely do require obedience training as they can develop dominant and controlling behaviors without any management. Consistency is key, but overall this is probably a job best left for an experienced owner! Take note that the breed can be slow to develop, and younger dogs are very exuberant. It is easy for one to accidentally knock over a small child in his excitement. Training can help establish impulse control however it will take some time and one should expect the dog to be clumsy and excitable when young.
The Romanian Bucovina needs a home with a large backyard in order to run and stretch his legs. This isn’t a couch potato, but rather an energetic and playful dog that needs a lot of room to cavort. He does best in a country or otherwise rural home not only because he needs a lot of space, but also because of his loud and commanding barking which could annoy neighbors. Take note – although a big backyard is a necessity, he won’t be happy just to spend all day mindlessly loping around the yard. He also needs mental stimulation in the form of a job or plenty of outdoor activities with the family including daily walks. The breed does best when paired with an active individual or family because he has the stamina to walk for miles on end without tiring. An hour a day should be considered minimum for walks, and being allowed to run alongside a bike or accompany the owner on a hike is even better! 
Bucovinas take their livestock guarding jobs very seriously and will not hesitate to attack predators if they feel their flock is being threatened. They are fearless and will work both night and day to keep their charges safe! When kept as a pet, they will employ a similar skill set. Intruders will be met first with a deep and powerful bark. It would be extremely unwise for a stranger to break into the home of this serious guard dog, especially after being warned. To say this breed doesn’t trust strangers would be an understatement – his giant size and intimidating appearance is one thing, but he is also prepared to back up his threat! For this reason he does need to be thoroughly socialized from puppyhood even if an owner wants him to be a guard dog. There is a difference between an unpredictable guard and a sound-tempered one. When properly bred, raised and socialized he should not be randomly aggressive.
If a Romanian Bucovina Shepherd is raised with other animals, he is likely to be ok with them and consider them part of his pack. However, he can be dangerous around smaller animals that he doesn’t know (both wild and domesticated) and may even kill them. This is probably related to his livestock guarding duties, where he sees intruding animals as threats that need to be taken out. He can also be fairly dog-aggressive and doesn’t always do well in multiple dog households. A single male can sometimes be ok with a female or vice versa, however, as opposite-sex pairs are less of a threat. This is an extremely devoted and loyal dog that considers it his sole purpose in life to protect those he loves, but this devotion comes with a serious and commanding edge. This breed is not for everyone.
