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Need to Know
- Dogs suitable for experienced owners
- Extra training required
- Generally healthy breed
- Enjoys active walks
- Giant dog
- Some drool
- Requires grooming
- Quiet dog
- Barks, alerts, and may be physically protective/suspicious of visitors
- Might not like other dogs
- May need additional training to live with other pets
- May need additional supervision to live with children
- Needs a large yard, preferably in rural areas
- Can be left alone occasionally with training
- AKC Registered Breed
Personality
Even-keeled and thoughtful, the Caucasian Shepherd is an independent thinker who can be strong-willed. They were originally bred to guard, and they retain these instincts around people and property. They can be territorial if not trained properly around others, but always gentle with their families. Training and socialization are important to turn them into well-mannered dogs.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is an ancient breed that originally came from the Caucasus Mountains. They were bred to protect villages and flocks from trespassers. They first came to America in the 1970s.
Ideal owners of Caucasian Shepherds will have some experience handling large dogs and have a good understanding of what it takes to train and socialize them properly. They can be stubborn, which can require additional motivation to get them to comply. They will require an owner who can establish dominance.
A large dog, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog needs a yard to train, play, and exercise in. They enjoy free running in a fenced-in area, leash walking, and hiking. Their energy needs aren’t as high as other dogs of their size, but they still need physical and mental stimulation to be happy and healthy dogs.
A larger home with enough space for the dog to move around in is preferred. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs will benefit from a high and secure fenced-in yard. They are naturally suspicious of strangers and won’t like a home where there are lots of visitors coming and going.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has two coat types, long and short. The longhaired version needs frequent grooming to prevent matting and tangles. The short coat is fairly low-maintenance and only needs occasional brushing.
Bred to be an independent thinker and make its own decisions, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can require a little more effort when it comes to training.
The Caucasian Shepherd can be a good family dog for families that understand how to handle and live with a large dog that thinks independently. They do better with older children due to their sheer size and protective instincts. They prefer to be the only pet in the household.
The cost of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.
Learn more about feeding and caring for your Caucasian Shepherd Dog on Purina.
Did You Know?
- The Caucasian Shepherd Dog dates back as far as the first century B.C.
- Other names for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed include Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Sheepdog, Kawkasky Owtscharka, and Kaukasische Schäferhund.
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