Ancient Livestock Guardian
The Central Asian Ovcharka is a breed of dog that originates from Russia and the Middle East. It is believed that they are possible one of the oldest living dogs today, dating back as far as 5,000 years. Still quite rare outside of its native land, the Central Asian Ovcharka is slowly gaining recognition in other countries.
Central Asian Ovcharkas generally stand between 24-32 inches, but may be even larger and weigh between 88-176 pounds. The females tend to be smaller than the males. They are a muscular breed, and considered to be a mastiff-type dog. Traditionally the ears are cropped and the tails are docked in their native lands. Their coat may be long or short, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Colors on a Central Asian Ovcharka include black, brindle, fawn, gray, and white.
As a very old breed little is known about the origin of the Central Asian Ovcharka. Some believe that their ancestors may be the Tibetan Mastiff, or dogs originally used by the Mongols. Historically these dogs could be found throughout the mountains of Mongolia and into the deserts of the Kara Kum, often found along the ancient silk route. These dogs were not simply used for guarding livestock, they guarded anything they perceived as part of their territory, their family, livestock, and anything the Nomads owned. More recently the Central Asian Ovcharka has been loosing popularity in Russia to the larger Caucasian Mountain Dog.
The Central Asian Ovcharka is fearless and will protect every member of their family, be it children, cats, or other dogs. They are wary of strangers and may try to dominate other dogs they do not know and do not generally do well in unfamiliar places. This breed likes to bark, even at night, which may be a problem with neighbors. They do best with a strong owner, and are not for the inexperienced. Central Asian Ovcharkas should be socialized at a young age if they are not intended to be a livestock guardian, this will help them adapt to urban life.
