More evidence for those who still do not believe.
Akbar is a Caucasian Mountain Shepherd Dog living in Odessa (Ukraine), seen here with Grandmother. He will soon as possible join us in SA.
Located between the Black Sea on the West and the Caspian Sea on the East, the Caucasus mountain range represents a true melting pot of various cultures due to a number of nations calling it their home through the ages. Today these influences are still strong and a rich source of cultural wealth of the region, as well as numerous political conflicts. Encompassing the territories of Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Daghestan, Ossetia, Turkey, Chechnya, Ingushetia and Iran, the Caucasus Mountains are also home to one of the oldest living Molosser breeds – the Caucasian Mountain Dog.
There is a great variety of types among the Caucasian dogs depending on their home region, but due to the ignorance of many Westerners and strong national appetite of Russian and pro-Russian dog fanciers worldwide, a single type is favoured in the show rings and literature, at the expense of other breed variants.
The exotic-sounding misnomer Ovcharka is very popular in the West, thanks to the efforts of the Russian Kennel Club, even though it translates to “Sheepdog, Shepherd or Shepherd Dog”. The Caucasian Ovcharka is one of three recognized Russian sheepdogs, the other two being the bearded South-Russian Sheepdog and the controversial Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
Although its first official Western Show-Ring appearance was in the 1930s in Germany, the Caucasian Mountain Dog has existed since ancient times and, like many Eastern Molossers. The Armenian Gamprs are seen as a variant of the Caucasian Mountain Dog but the Gampr comes in two distinct varieties, both of which are believed to be much older than the modern Caucasian and Central-Asian Sheepdogs. Some believe that the Caucasian Mountain Dog was a result of crossing the mountain Gampyrs with the spitz-type dogs in ancient times, but this theory, although not without merit, is not very popular.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed has two types: mountain and plain. Plain dogs have a shorter coat and appear taller as they are more lightly built. Mountain types have a heavier coat and are more muscularly built. The breed’s weight range is 102–160 pounds (46–73 kg.) and the height range is 25–29 inches (64–78 cm.).
Powerful and massive, the Caucasian Ovcharka can be a difficult breed for an inexperienced owner, because it respects and obeys only those that it deems superior to itself. They are good with children, but will not see them as their masters. The dog develops a strong bond with its owner but will rarely be submissive; this is truly a thinking dog which relies on its own instincts, sometimes even disregarding its master’s directions. A breed with a very quick reaction time and fast protection reflexes. With proper care, handling and training, this is a well-behaved and obedient family companion.
Ovcharka Caucasian Shepherds blend in with the sheep they guard. A pack of wolves (3 or 4) will attack the sheep, not noticing the Ovcharka. The thickness of the coat prevents the wolves from biting through. The ears of the Caucasian Ovcharka are traditionally cropped for fighting with wolves, but some modern dogs are unaltered. They are loyal to their duty in protecting their flock and family and will stand by and defend through any circumstance.
Some clever infiltration this species did!
