Central Asian Ovtcharka Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: Central Asian Ovtcharka

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Foundation Stock Service® Breed
Height: 24-32 inches Weight: 90-175 pounds Color: Brindle, Fawn, White, Gray, Black; Solid, Parti, Or Tri-colored

Originating in the USSR, this ancient working breed was, and continues to be, utilized as a guardian of livestock against large predators such as wolves and bear. Central Asian Ovtcharka's are popular in England, Poland, and Italy. However, due to prohibition against their export, the Central Asian Ovtcharka is not well known in the United States and is difficult to obtain. The Central Asian is a working breed of dogs, and different breed fanciers organizations issue sets or rules and recommendations important to preserve dogs’ abilities to perform certain duties. This includes special tests, allowing to determine dog’s inborn qualities, and training degrees or titles, aiming to show what the dog can learn to do. A massive and formidable breed, the Central Asian Ovtcharka is muscular, powerful, and bold. They are well-balanced, fearless, sturdy, and athletic. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 1996. These dogs can be seen today on National Geographic nomadic tribes as guardians of the nomads of Central Asia, they do not per say lie with livestock, because the livestock is being ridden by humans, IE Camels, Cattle. They protect from within a huge migrating family from all potential threats.

General Appearance
The Central Asian Ovtcharka is a very large, muscular, Mastiff type dog. Docking of the tail and ears is optional depending on the country in which you live. This is due to countries like France, Netherlands Australia etc, and many more that are banning cropping and docking. There is no real stop from forehead to muzzle. The body is a bit longer then tall. The Central Asian Ovtcharka is a double coat breed that presents in two coat types: Long and Short. The outer coat of the Long Coat variety is coarse and long. There is extra hair on the backs of the hind legs, tail, ears, and neck. The under coat is soft and dense. The Short Coat variety has an outer coat of short, coarse hair. The under coat is soft and dense. The coat comes in a wide variety of colors. CAS should be rugged in type with big bones, large chests and wide backs. The well-boned forelimbs have powerful shoulders muscles. The skin on the face is thick and may form wrinkles. The thighs are powerful. The back is strong, and moderately long.

Temperament
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog also known as CASD, served as the all-purpose working dog throughout Central Asia. In order to fulfill these duties the dog needed to possess enough confidence to protect his family, enough reliability to work with people and livestock, enough structural soundness to work in extreme conditions, with stamina to follow a nomadic tribe between there winter & summer pastures covering thousand of miles. This breed is not recommended for timid or inexperienced dog owners. The Central Asian Ovtcharka is confident, independent, daring, and hard-working. They are distrustful and wary of strangers and will not back down when threatened. Central Asian Ovtcharka's are exceedingly protective of their family, property, and territory. A loyal, calm, and devoted breed, they do well with children they have been raised with. However, they may not tolerate unfamiliar children. They will do okay with dogs and other household pets provided they do not feel challenged by them.

Grooming
Occasional brushing is recommended to remove loose and dead hair. These dogs shed their coats heavily in the spring. The coat should be brushed extra at this time to remove the dead hairs. The rest of the year they are light shedders, with easy coat care. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The CAS has hip and elbow problems that require screening for all genetic related disorders commonly found in large breeds. Also bloat is a problem with many Mastiff breed, though so far, this hasn't been seen in the CAS. Central Asian Ovtcharka can live from 12-14 years, in their native countries, however, they live closer to 10 years due to poor vet care and the life style they lead.

Activity Level
The Central Asian Ovtcharka breed is not recommended for city or apartment living. They are nocturnal barkers. The Central Asian Ovtcharka must be in a rural setting with a job to do and ample room to safely roam.

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