The Caucasian dog is the most brutal Russian dog breed. It is a large, even-tempered dog with powerful and muscular body, bear-look face, deeply set oval dark eyes, round-shaped cropped ears and low carried long tail. It has a thick and water resistant double coat in shades of gray, brindle, yellow, rust, red or white (click for video). The coat may be longer or shorter depending on the region the dog comes from.
The strength and dedication of this Russian dog has made it a popular working, police and guard dog throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union states. They call it Caucasian Shepherd in Europe and Caucasian Mountain Dog in America. In Russia its name is Caucasian Ovcharka that means sheep dog in Russian.
The Caucasian dog is one of the oldest mastiff-type breeds, originating from the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It was used for centuries to guard flocks, kill wolves, hunt bears and protect properties against trespassers and thieves. Its type differs a little from region to region. The superior Russian Caucasian dog is a hybrid of established Caucasian types and some lines of the Central Asian dog.
Softness and timidity are considered as serious faults for this Russian dog breed. The Caucasian dog is suspicious and aggressive towards any strangers including dog show referees. If not properly trained and socialized this vicious dog may demonstrate fierce and uncontrollable reactions (click for video). On the other hand, this Russian dog can be extremely loyal to its owner and will stand by and defend him to the very end in any situation.
The Caucasian dog can live as long as 12 years with just a few health risks, though sometimes may suffer from large-dog problems like hip dysplasia and heart conditions. Its heavy shedding coat needs occasional brushing.
Owning a Russian Caucasian dog is not an easy task. This independent and strong-willed dog will obey only a dominating an equally-willed owner whom it respects. Obedience training and early socialization is mandatory for this breed.
Forming a strong protective bond with its owner, the Caucasian dog would not raise other family members to the same level. It mostly suits active singles, experienced handlers as well as farmers and ranchers.
Measures:
Height: 25 to 29 inches (males about 28, females about 26)
Weight: 102 to 160 pounds (males and females)
Breed Names:
Caucasian Shepherd, Caucasian Mountain Dog, Caucasian dog, Russian Caucasian dog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Kavkazskaya Ovcharka, Caucasian Volkodav, Caucasian sheepdog, Caucasian Ovtcharka
Frequently asked questions about Caucasian Ovcharka
How should I be prepared for a caucasian ovcharka?
What are some of your opinions of the breed?
Why Caucasian ovcharkas have their ears cropped short?
What are some good names for Caucasian shepherds?
Can caucasian sheperd dog kill a wolf?
Do Caucasian Ovcharka dogs suffer from heat just like huskies do?
What dog food does the Caucasian Mountain Dog need?
What do you think of Caucasian Ovcharka?
Breed Standard is here
Find a name for your Ovcharka dog in Russian!
Learn some Russian dog commands!
OMG!!!! I want one. Woohoo I’ve never ever seen or heard of a Caucasian Dog. It’s HEEEE-UGE. My god. I doubt if 3/4s of New Zealand has ever heard of it. I pray tho that the idiots out there who buy dogs just for fighting dont get thier filthy peuny stinking hands on one of these beautiful big wild cuddly things. WOOHOOO what a buzz it is just looking at the dog. I LOVE IT. Thanks for sharing it on fb. Geoff
I would love to see this stood next to my little chihuahua! Does anyone know whether ther are any British breeders that breed these dogs?
http://canidoit.org
For extensive information on this rare and majestic breed, see my website: http://www.ThunderHawkCaucasians.com.
For in-depth information order my book, “Caucasian Ovcharka: The Complete Resource on this Ancient and Mysterious Guardian”. At 452 pages, it is the most exhaustive volume ever published on the breed in any language and contains over 300 photos of Caucasians from around the world. It was published in 2000 and has been sold internationally. It is considered by the Caucasian community to be the single most comprehensive compendium available on the breed. (ISBN # 0-9705456-0-6) It is available exclusively through ThunderHawk.
hi…im egyptian livin in egypt…actually im willing to have the most furious and aggressive dog ever..and im so confused between the alabai and the caucasian ovcharka and the kangal…would u pls send me on my mail tellin me which of them will give me the most aggressivness i want..thanks alot
No dought the CAUCASIAN
“Furious and Aggressive” It does not seem to me that you should have a Dog !!
I agree with Ted Cole. You can’t possibly have any good intentions in becoming a dog owner. Why would you want a “dog with the most aggressiveness”? Don’t animals get a bad enough rap on their own? Ugh….have a change of heart, please.
we ve just recently got a russian mountian dog from a rescue centre, he was seperated from his sister bella we would love to find bella and meet her or even meet another russian mountian dog in the area so he could meet them, it would also be really nice to talk to someone that also owns one for some advice as we dont know much about this breed. I hope some one can help we are in the south of the uk.
Hi.
Can you tell me any authentic breeder of caucasian ovcharka. Preferrably in ukraine or russia.
Russian? if it is caucasian how can it be Russian? can this site explain ????
russian dog is Moscow watch dog wich was made by Caucasian dogs from Georgia, and dagestan.
there was no Russia when these dogs were doing its job in Georgia and dagestan.
Russia has nothing to do with these dogs and with Caucasus and Caucasus not a Russia. Dagestan never exist in the North Caucasus when these dogs appear there and origin of dogs Tibet. Caucsus dog belongs to a native, original people of the Caucasus, but Dagestand, Osetia are new comers, people from some other parts of the world, but not original Caucasian people.
Good day,
Mr innocent from Nigeria, i want to know the ears and tails of Russian Caucasian are cut off, the brief biography of the Caucasus? thanks excepting reply soon.
Please read above.
would some one please send me or sale me a caucassian mastiff the bear looking one. i own a husky but i have been looking for one for the lasat 3years.
I could help you to find one in Russia(I speak russian and know a few breeders there), but I think you can find them in USA and it would be way cheaper…
You are so stupid. It is just a dog.
We are talking about the dogs, not politics.
There was no Russians or Georgians at that time: there was god and people, no borders.
Try to understand that.
these dogs ARE NOT russian!!!
russians just took these dogs and presented as theirs, but in Caucasian area- Georgia, Armenia etc these dogs have been living for thousands of years, long before russians even existed.
russian Caucasus dogs are awsome i recently got one and i l;ove her to pieces im thinking about breading her with are wolf she is a wonderful watch dog she is wonderful to are other pets to when are cat got hit by a car she was the one who told us what happend she would clean her and try to make her pritty even though after the cat was hit it was damn ugly no matter what one thing you have to be aware of is that if you have another female dog or male dog they will fight and you will have to seperate them
Caucasus in Russian is Kavkaz (kuv-KUZ). Sounds alike.
I just love these dogs. When I was young I had a friend whose dad had a russian wife. Straight off the boat. And she kept telling me about a HUGE russian dog she would call a “kuf kus” or “cuf cus”. I’m not sure the correct spelling. But I was searching for this dog and I think what she may have meant was the Caucasian dog. She said she had one that could pop a regulation sized basketball in its mouth. Have you ever heard the caucasian dog called a cuf cus? Maybe thats how you say Caucasian in russian? Feel free to reply. Thank you.