Caucasus pastor - One of the largest and most popular races
The Caucasus pastor is a large dog that has become popular in recent years, especially as a guardian, since among the characteristics of this pastor dog is being very territorial, which does not make it suitable for everyone.
- Weight: between 50 and 70 kilos
- Hair type: abundant and smooth, forming a large mantle that can be a bit rough
- Character: Obedient and faithful. Very territorial
- Health: Excellent, without known genetic diseases
- Life expectancy: ten to twelve years
Origins
The origins of the Caucasian shepherd, name with which it is also known, are in the Caucasus mountain range, which is between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, in what today are the territories that belong to Azerbaiyan, Armenia, Georgia and Russia.
Right now a Russian race is considered, although the truth is that if we see the specimens that are currently realized that there are many different constitutions and statures, in addition to several colors.
This means, more when the territory that covers the race is so extensive, that the race was not constituted in Russia, but is typical of a broader area and that there is a huge variety of dogs that have been called shepherds of the Caucasus.
Yes, it is certain that it is a shepherd dog, but as it happens with large dogs, it is not a Carea dog, but saved the cattle from the attack of animals such as wolves or thieves.
About age, it is said that he has about six centuries, but as always happens, this is almost impossible to verify, especially when the territory where the race originated is so dispersed.
Main characteristics of the shepherd of the Caucasus
One of the main characteristics of the shepherd of the Caucasus is its large size, since it is a huge animal that It can reach 70 cm high and exceed 70 kilos in the case of males.
That gives them a fairly fierce appearance, especially in the longest mantle varieties, since there are two others, one of short hair and another intermediate, which are admitted in the standard, which is quite permissive in this aspect.
As for its morphology, we also find differences between the Caucasian pastor of the steppe and the mountain, being the first most graceful and light, while the second is a more square and robust animal.
The mantle is admitted in white, straw, black or brown, although the one that is most seen is the straw with black areas such as snout.
His head is very characteristic, since in these shepherds of the Caucasus it is very large and powerful, with very strong jaws that can exert great strength.
As a curiosity, It is one of the races in which sexual dimorphism is more marked, so that females are much smaller than males.
Character
When talking about the character of the shepherd of the Caucasus, the controversy begins immediately, since there has been an image of him that does not correspond to reality. In fact, if we are looking for photos of this dog breed, we will see that there are several in which it has a little friendly attitude.
What is said about him is that it is unpredictable and that it has an excessive and uncontrollable aggressiveness, something that is not true, although what Yes, it's true that it is not a race for a first -time owner.
If you can expect a quick and very violent reaction when this animal sees that there is a threat to your home or your family, since this is how it has acted for centuries hiding between the sheep so as not to be seen and attacked the wolves by surprise.
You need a good training
A Caucasian shepherd can be a good company dog, provided we know the dog's breed we have in hand and receive adequate training since it is very small, starting right away.
It will thus become an educated and more or less obedient dog, since there are times when its owner can disobey, something that must not be kept when it is loose and out of our control.
Although sometimes it may seem like it is not a teddy bear, so We cannot expect from him the submission of other more familiar races. Thus, he does not like that they caress him and if they do it, he will take a step back whenever he is a copy with a balanced character.
The relationship with children is excellent, who does not consider their owners, mainly obeying one of the family members, to the one who manages to dominate him without exercising violence at any time.
It should be exposed to many people and other dogs since childhood, always with the idea that socialize and control your dominant character, although perhaps the best thing is to go to a training to help us in this aspect.
Care
You have to start talking about hair care, which is the most obvious, since if we have a long mantle specimen (they are the ones that are most seen) you will have to comb it regularly, better if it is daily.
With a good brushing every day the knots are avoided and we keep their mantle clean, silky and brilliant, a frequency that may have to increase in times of mute, in which they release huge amounts of hair.
You always have to use a specific comb for long -haired breeds, and given how big the shepherd of the Caucasus and the hair it has, we will have to invest in a quality brush.
Exercise is another of the pillars of the care of this animal, which under no circumstances should live on a floor, where it would feel locked up and could become dangerous.
Will require several daily, long walks if it can be. Leaving your home and burning energy will come very well, because it will be calmer.
Do not bathe it often, more if you live away from home, but you will have to do it at least once every two or three months, depending on how dirty it is. We will use a quality shampoo and let it dry in the sun after eliminating excess water.
As he has so much hair, we should check it daily looking for parasites, since they can hide in a very simple way, infecting the dog without us noticing.
Caucasian pastor feed
Food is fundamental in any dog breed, but it is crucial when we talk about large animals like this, which belongs to giant breeds with their 70 kilos.
It is convenient to establish a food plan with the veterinarian, giving it a I think adequate for this type of raceS In each of the stages of his life, the most important thing being the puppy.
Here, we are always going to buy a feed for puppies of large and giant breeds, because they are the ones that have all the nutrients that the dog needs when developing a huge body.
When that stage happens it is crucial that we opt for a feed without grains, all with the idea that the dog does not fat, which can cause many health problems by adding more weight to which their legs already support.
We can say that the more we spend on food, the more we will save in the veterinarian, so your food always has to be of the highest quality, avoiding the feed they sell in supermarkets.
The shepherd of the Caucasus does not eat as much as it seems, they are austere dogs, but Yes, it is a good idea to break the rations in order to prevent stomach torsion, a serious problem that affects large breed dogs.
It seems that it can trigger her eating too much at once, so we will talk to the veterinarian to advise us when to give her your feed and what amounts to put on the bowl.
Health
We are facing one of the races with better health of all that exist, since due to its genetic variability and the way in which it has been raised for centuries, hereditary diseases are not known.
Yes, there are several that can suffer, but they are due to their size and not to their race. Specifically, The two most common are hip dysplasia and stomach torsion.
The hip dysplasia is prevented by avoiding buying dogs whose ancestors have had this problem, which is achieved by a responsible breeder and asking for radiographs of parents, grandparents, etc.
It can also be given by environmental factors such as obesity, hence it is so important to feed these animals well when they are puppies and not force them to do too much until they grow.
Another disease, which we have already talked about, is the stomach torsion. Here the stomach broken on itself, being able to cause death if it does not intervene immediately with an emergency operation.
Its origins are not clear, but we do know that it can be prevented by dividing food into several shots and avoiding the shepherd of the Caucasus to feed before going for a walk or when he gets home.
Giving it a natural diet like the barf can also come well, because it seems that it strengthens the stomach muscles.
Other breeds of large and giant dogs:
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