American Canine Association

Breeds

Central Asian Ovtcharka


History

Over 4,000 years old, the Central Asian Ovtcharka is believed to be of Mastiff, Kangal, Akbash and Volkodav bloodlines from the early 18th century, the Central Asian Ovtcharka breed originated no place other than Russia. This breed was used on farms for flock herders, guard dogs, and in earlier times, dog fighting. Today, this breed is used on farms and within country setting homes for protection and companionship.

Appearance

A very large breed of dog, males typically measuring 27-32 inches in height, with females generally measuring 24-27 inches in height. Males weigh in between 125-180 pounds in weight while females weigh in between 90-145 pounds in weight. This breed is built tall, solid and muscular. With a broad, almost oval shaped skull, the Central Asian Ovtcharka has no actual start to its retangular muzzle as it fades right from their large forehead into their muzzle. Ears are typically seen cropped extremely short to their head, otherwise their ears are triangular and short. Their legs are short for the height that this breed can potentially reach, due to their chest and neck making most of their height. If not docked, their tail is long, thick and will be away from the body, slightly curved upwards when relaxed. This breed is available in both long and short haired varieties as well as almost all colors and color combinations.

Temperament

This breed does require a long daily walk as well as other activity throughout the day, however "long and steady" best describes the style of this breed when it comes to exercise. The Central Asian Ovtcharka will not fair well if worked out all at once, and is best suited for steady activities during the day to keep them moving. This breed is only recommended for a farm type of environment for living and will not do well in apartments. Only recommended for households with adults or older children, this breed requires a firm, aware and consistent owner. Rules and boundaries must be set at a very young age to ensure everyone's safety and well being as this breed grows to be very large in size. Naturally fearless, bold in personality and brave, this dog cannot be owned by anyone who isn't as such themselves. Only recommended for houses with no other dogs or non canine pets. As this breed is a very wonderful guard dog to have, they will only bond with the immediate family members within the home they grow up in. Be sure to have your dog safely enclosed in a comfortable environment while guests and strangers are over to ensure limited anxiety and upset for both you and your dog.

Grooming

Daily brushing is required, as professional grooming every so often is highly recommended. Bathe when needed. This breed does shed.

Special Notes

Please fully educate yourself about the Central Asian Ovtcharka prior to adding one to your family to ensure that you are able to make a life long commitment to your new addition. This breed is not recommended for every family. Do not add this breed to your home unless you are able to provide life long physical and financial care to your new family member. All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”. The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.

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