The Caucasian Ovcharka, Shepherds of the Mountain

Breed Group: Working | Height: 24 to 33.5 inches at the shoulder | Weight: 80 to 100 pounds | Life Span: 10 to 12 years

The Caucasian Ovcharka, with his dense double coat and furry tail, is a flock-guarding dog who hails from the rugged Caucasus Mountain region between Europe and Asia. His job there is twofold: Protect sheep from wolves, as well as guard property.

Caucasian Ovcharka Temperament and Personality

The Ovcharka is a guardian breed with a serious and protective temperament. Although he has an innate distrust of strangers, he’s gentle toward people he knows. The Ovcharka is incredibly loyal to his family — but fierce in their defense. However, when there’s nothing to guard against, he’s laidback and compliant, expressing a sweet attitude toward his loved ones.

This intelligent dog has an independent nature, so you need to train him with patience, firmness, and consistency — never use harsh words or heavy-handed techniques. Properly trained Ovcharkas have earned obedience and Canine Good Citizen titles, and some are even therapy dogs.

The History of the Caucasian Ovcharka

It’s believed that the Caucasian Ovcharka has been around for more than 2,000 years, and he may be related to the Tibetan Mastiff or the Anatolian Shepherd. The large, shaggy dogs guarded flocks from predators, as well as protected owners and property.

In 1990, an Ohio-based couple, Stacey and Russell Kubyn, imported the first Ovcharkas into the United States, and formed the Caucasian Ovcharka Club of America a year later. The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1995. In 1996, the Ovcharka became an American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service breed. The dogs have been eligible to compete in events, such as obedience and rally, since 2008.

Other Quick Facts

• In Russian, Ovcharka means “shepherd” or “sheepdog.”
• Females only give birth once a year, which may hark back to the breed’s primitive beginnings.
• The Ovcharka’s coat comes in gray, cream, fawn or reddish fawn, tan or reddish tan, and white, as well as brindle, piebald (large patches of two or more colors), and white with gray patches. Coats that are solid black, black and tan, and solid brown are undesirable—beware of breeders who claim these colors are “rare.”