| Description: Because of the nomadic life style of the people who have these dogs, it’s a widely held belief that the Tibetan Mastiff is a forefather of this 4,000-year-old breed. The Mongols may have brought similar dogs when invading eastern and central Europe, and were probably the source of Europe's herd-protecting sheepdogs.
This independent and aloof breed has protected nomadic herdsmen and their flocks for centuries. The Middle Asian Ovcharka is a calm, fearless, independent-minded flock guardian. These dogs stand their ground and don’t back down. They are good with their family/owners/handlers; however, they should be supervised with children.
Away from home, these dogs they try to dominate other dogs and are wary of strangers; they are guardians and will act as such. Be prepared for their barking at night as this may present a problem if you have close neighbors.
Socialization is a must for these Ovcharkas, unless they are being used as flock guards. They get along with cats and other non-canine animals and other dogs, as long as the dog is not a threat to their charge. These are family dogs that want and seek interaction with daily life. This flock guardian is not for everyone. They need an owner who understands the flock-guard type and the temperament that comes along with it. This is not a breed for the timid owner.
These dogs are found in Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and Siberia. Five more countries that are in the Middle Asian Ovcharka’s area are: Kazakstan, Kirghizastan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Other Names: Central Asian Ovcharka
Height: Female 24-27 inches, Male 27-30 inches
Weight: Female 80-120 Ibs, Male 120-160 Ibs
Colors: Any colour, but not liver or blue.
Coat: It has well-developed undercoat. There are 2 coat lengths: a short coat that is 3-5" in length, and a medium coat which is 5-7" in length. The coat is shed seasonally.
Temperament: The Middle Asian Ovcharka is an independent and fearless dog and will show a natural distrust of strangers and be dog dominant. Nocturnal barking and landscape digging are not unusual. It is very dominant and not highly trainable.
With Children: Yes
With Pets: Yes
Special Skills:
Watch-dog:
Guard-dog: High
Care and Training:
Learning Rates: High
Activity: High
Living Environment: House and fenced yard.
Health Issues: Prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. These dogs can handle extreme variances of temperature from the cold weather of Siberia to the heat of the Kara Kum desert.
Life Span:
Litter Size:
Country of Origin: Russia
History: This breed dates back 4000 years and is termed in history as a great and majestic dog. A long with a proud history of being a working dog, fighting dog and used for protecting the herds and its master's predator attacks such as wovles and mountain lions.
First Registered by the AKC:
AKC Group:
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