Caucasian Shepherd Kennel: Complete Dog Breed Guide

The Caucasian Shepherd Kennel is a renowned institution for breeding and training this majestic breed. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, the kennel has been instrumental in developing the breed's distinctive characteristics.

Originating from the Caucasus region, the Caucasian Shepherd is a natural guardian of livestock and a loyal companion to its family. This breed is known for its impressive size, with males weighing up to 150 pounds and standing as tall as 32 inches at the shoulder.

Their thick, double coat is well-suited to the harsh mountain climate of their native region, with a soft undercoat and a coarse outer coat that sheds water and snow. Regular grooming is essential to prevent matting and tangling of the coat.

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Caucasian Shepherd dogs are a large breed, with males reaching 27.5-30 inches (70-76 cm) in height and weighing between 110-154 pounds (50-70 kg). They have a thick double coat that can be straight or curly.

Their lifespan is around 10-12 years, which is relatively short compared to some other breeds. This means they'll be a part of your family for a decade or more, and it's essential to plan for their care and well-being.

The breed group is Working, indicating their original purpose as guard dogs and protectors of livestock. They're known for their independent nature, which can make training challenging if not done consistently from an early age.

Here are some key size and weight facts for both male and female Caucasian Shepherds:

Their temperament is loyal, protective, and wary of strangers, making them excellent guard dogs. However, with proper training and socialization, they can also be wonderful family pets and therapy dogs.

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Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best choice for first-time dog parents, as they are strikingly independent and require a lot of space to roam safely.

They thrive in a quiet, calm environment with a homebody pet parent, making them perfect for families who want a loyal companion.

Historically, this breed has been protective and naturally suspicious around strangers, which can make boarding or pet sitting challenging.

If you travel a lot, you'll need to consider alternative care arrangements for your Caucasian Shepherd.

Make sure you have time to dedicate to your puppy when you bring them home, as they need slow exposure to new sounds, places, situations, and people to become socialized.

Positive reinforcement is key when training your Caucasian Shepherd, and consistency is crucial to overcome their natural distrust of strangers.

With proper socialization and training, Caucasian Shepherds can be loving, loyal family dogs and fierce protectors.

However, they can be quite stubborn, which may make training difficult, so be prepared to be patient and firm.

They're highly territorial and never back down from a fight, even if that means taking on a bear or a wolf, so it's essential to establish firm boundaries and rules.

Proper socialization training is a must to overcome their apprehension around new people and animals, which can result in aggression.

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With humans they're familiar with, Caucasian Shepherds are quite loving and loyal, making them lifelong guardians and protectors.

They're also empathic, good at reading your emotions, and sensitive to getting in trouble, so be gentle and kind when interacting with them.

If you raise your voice to a Caucasian Shepherd, they'll spend the next hour or two following you around, almost begging for forgiveness.

They're concerned with being disapproved of, so be consistent and positive in your training and interactions with them.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are generally a hardy and robust breed, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health concerns. Hip Dysplasia, a hereditary condition, can lead to joint instability and arthritis in large and giant breeds.

Their large size and slower metabolism make them prone to obesity if their diet and exercise aren't properly managed. Obesity can lead to various health issues, including joint problems and heart disease.

Take a look at this: Caucasian Shepherd Health Issues

Here are some common health issues associated with this breed:

Regular care and attention can help prevent or manage these health issues. This includes maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, brushing their teeth regularly, and keeping their ears and nails clean.

Caucasian Shepherds are generally a hardy and robust breed, but they can be prone to certain health concerns. Hip dysplasia is a common problem in large and giant breeds like the Caucasian Shepherd, where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to joint instability and eventually arthritis.

Elbow dysplasia is another developmental disorder affecting the elbow joint, causing pain and lameness in affected dogs. This is similar to hip dysplasia and requires attention from a veterinarian.

Bloat is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, requiring immediate veterinary attention. It's more common in deep-chested breeds like the Caucasian Shepherd.

Obesity is a significant concern for Caucasian Shepherds due to their large size and slower metabolism. If their diet and exercise aren’t properly managed, they can easily become overweight or obese.

Entropion is a medical condition where the eyelid rolls inward toward the eye, causing discomfort and potential eye problems. This can be a painful and frustrating issue for both the dog and the owner.

Here are some common health issues associated with Caucasian Shepherds:

Caucasian Shepherds typically live between 10-12 years due to their size, which is relatively short compared to other breeds.

Caucasian Shepherds are a hardy and robust breed, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health concerns. Hip dysplasia is a common problem in large and giant breeds like the Caucasian Shepherd, causing joint instability and eventually arthritis.

They need regular exercise to stay healthy, including good long walks and playtime in a fenced yard. A fair amount of regular exercise is necessary, as they have good stamina and will enjoy hiking with you.

Their diet and exercise need to be properly managed to prevent obesity, which can lead to various health issues. Obesity is a common problem in large breeds like the Caucasian Shepherd, and it's essential to keep an eye on their weight.

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Caucasian Shepherds have a thick double coat that needs regular grooming. They shed a lot throughout the year, especially in the spring and fall, and regular brushing can help keep up with loose hairs.

A simple brushing can take a lot of time due to their large size and thick coat. They need to be brushed at least twice a week to remove loose or dead hairs and prevent matting.

Here's a rough guide to their grooming needs:

They also need their teeth brushed two to three times a week and cleaned professionally as recommended by your vet.

As a responsible owner of a Caucasian Shepherd, it's essential to provide your dog with a well-balanced diet. You should ask your veterinarian or a professional nutritionist to help you find the right kind of food and portion size for your individual dog.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a diet formulated for a giant breed with fairly low energy levels. This will help prevent overeating and weight gain, which is a risk for this breed.

Smaller, more frequent meals may be recommended to prevent dogs from developing bloat, a life-threatening condition. This is especially important for puppies, who should eat three to four small meals every day on a regular feeding schedule.

Choose a dog food that follows the nutritional guidelines approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), such as Royal Canin/MD, Hills, or Purina. This will ensure your dog is getting the necessary nutrients for optimal health.

As your dog grows into adulthood, their feeding needs will change. They can then eat twice per day, but make sure to stick to the recommended portion sizes to prevent obesity.

It's also crucial to provide your Caucasian Shepherd with water available 24/7 so they can drink as needed. This will help prevent dehydration and support their overall health.

If your dog becomes obese, work with a veterinarian to bring their weight down to a healthy level. This may include increasing exercise, reducing meal sizes, or prescription dog food.

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The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is an ancient breed with a rich history that spans over 2,000 years. They originated in the Caucasus Mountain region, where they were bred to guard flocks of sheep and their owners from predators.

Their ancestors likely include Mastiffs and other breeds, as well as wolves that were domesticated. Some modern archaeological evidence suggests the breed dates back to Mesopotamia.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog was a valuable companion to shepherds in the Caucasus region for centuries, providing fearless protection and resilience to harsh conditions. They needed to be strong, intimidating, and adaptable to the vast and varied environment.

In the 1900s, the communist USSR used Caucasian Shepherds as prisoner guard dogs and developed other breeds in army kennels. They were also used as border patrol dogs in East Germany during the 1960s.

Today, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are mostly family companions, watchdogs, and property guardians, though they still retain some of their original protective instincts. They require early socialization and firm training to avoid incidents.

The breed has a long history of being recognized by kennel clubs, with the dogs from Georgia being the breed standard recognized by most kennel clubs today. In 1996, the Caucasian Shepherd was entered into the AKC Foundation Stock Service, allowing breeders to keep records with the AKC as purebreds.

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