He bonds with his family but tends to be wary of strangers. Livestock guardian dogs should be properly socialized with all members of your family, including kids, to ensure that they do not perceive anyone as a potential threat. (Privacy Policy) *, 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved. They think their territory is as far as they can roam, and they'll constantly test the limits. The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. It is difficult to say without knowing their ages and environments. He has always been accustomed to large open spaces and requires a large garden. Maremma Sheepdogs are a bit smaller than other livestock guardian dogs, with an average weight of 77 to 99 pounds. Well also answer some common questions about livestock guardian dogs to make sure they fit in well on your farm! He tends to drool so it's handy keeping a damp cloth close by just to give his face area a wipe down. The Karakachan is a lesser known breed in the United States. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2016. It is thought that they only arrived in Europe about 5,000 years ago. Other Names: Bulgarian Shepherd Dog, Thracian Mollos, Karakachan Shepherd Dog. This bloating has occurred due to enlargement of the stomach, as it fills with gas. Height: 26-30 inches (males), 25-28 inches (females), Weight: 99-135 lbs. Their tail is bushy and may curl, typically reaching the hocks. He tends to drool so it's handy keeping a damp cloth close by just to give his face area a wipe down. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Any large-breed dog is more susceptible to an array of orthopaedic problems, including elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis dissecans and osteoarthritis. Sider, the Karakachan expert quoted above, says (in the book Brave and Loyal, here on Amazon) that the best, most successful combination of dogs is to have two females and four males. He wont tolerate heat well with that thick coat of his and will require a shady spot in your garden to retreat to. However, they are great at climbing fences to escape. Urbigkit, Cat. Has never chewed anything in the house. The Karakachan is a vigilant, independent dog breed, who is well-suited for protecting livestock. They usually observe their herd from a vantage point, occasionally patrolling. Some farmers utilize one LGD for every 30 to 50 sheep, while others recommend using two or three times as many. He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dogs hip joints dont develop properly so that the hips partially dislocate. The dogs who survived were integrated into the remaining stocks of sheep at certain government farms. Note: Theres a bit of controversy about the Anatolian shepherd and the Kangal. Great Pyrenees may live 45 years less than Bulgarian Shepherd. . They are typically one of the best LGDs with children, and they usually live for about 13 years. A new study suggests that three European and Asian . . Thanks! He's territorial and likes large grounds to walk around and guard and this constant guarding is a good form of exercise too. Spanish mastiffs also posses a muscular, strong build making them intimidating to potential predators. jx. November 22, 2022 The Maremma bonds closely to the herd and is less prone to wandering, although this does not mean you dont need fences. Komondor The mop dog originated from Hungary. This problem can cause your pet to be in pain and he can also become lame, battling to walk and play and battling to get up after lying down. The Komondor is highly reactive to predators including human intruders and must be well trained and socialized early. The size of the Great Pyrenees dog makes it an imposing guardian; however other characteristics include: Males: 26-30 inches (65-75 cm.) Known as a mellow, low energy dog, they are often companion dogs rather than livestock guardians, although they still excel at guarding. Their coat colour will be white with brown, or white with black, or white with both black and brown. Because they bond so fiercely, they are better suited to be an all-around farm dog/farm protector rather than being full-time with livestock. Before committing to raising a livestock guardian dog, there are a couple of important factors to take into consideration. Unfortunately, there are no health studies available relating to the Karakachan breed, and very limited anecdotal evidence exists regarding which diseases actually affect them. Most love to work and need a job to stay properly occupied. He stands at 65 to 73 cm in height, both male and female, and he weighs 35 to 45 kg. com. Keep the food of dogs simple. The 14 Best Farm Dog Breeds: Barnyard Buddies! He gets on well with children, the elderly and with pets in the home. They are known to have patrolled the local mountains, protecting the livestock by warning off any predatory threats with deep, guttural growls and barks. Blog Home Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Both varieties have a double coat. Both Great Pyrenees and Bulgarian Shepherd has almost same litter size. Strong and courageous, they would fight any predator without hesitation if it continued to pursue its prey. Spanish Mastiff This dog can weigh up to 220 pounds. And for information on how to train livestock guardian dog breeds with positive methods, check out a review on my favorite training program here. Because this breed has not been extensively bred, it is typically a very healthy dog. Awesome dogs. Even when the greater Bulgarian culture began to change, the Karakachan people retained their own language and their own breeds of animals. He is very intelligent and shouldnt have any trouble learning these basic commands. As a large dog, he isnt suited for tiny homes, as he requires lots of space even though he doesnt require a lot of exercise. Maremma Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison - MyDogBreeds These dogs are also notably more people-friendly than many other livestock guardian breeds, and tend to bark and roam less frequently. This breed can be a good family guardian dog as long as they are well-socialized. When unprovoked by predators, these big white dogs are calm, gentle, and zen-like making them great for families with children. You actually noted the color connection to their name, just got the pic itself incorrect. If introduced properly, they can also get along with other family pets. The government was vicious towards these dogs. However, compared to other dogs, they may not need to be specifically trained to not kill chickens that may come naturally to them. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They are a breed that will bond closely with their family and will quickly become very protective of them. Brave and Loyal: An Illustrated Celebration of Livestock Guardian Dogs. They are known for their courage when confronted with such threatening predators, like bears and wolves, and will not hesitate to defend their flock. Absolutely. However, because of their size, they should be monitored during playtime with children simply because they are so big. They will bark to warn of predators and strangers, and will chase off wolves (up to 2 kilometers!) As already suggested, this large dog will need space and he will need to be exercised. They usually weigh anywhere from 140 to 200 pounds and live an estimated 10 to 12 years. ds. The dog was adopted into the court of Louis the XIV as a royal dog. K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Training this breed can be a bit of a challenge. The Pyrenean mastiff generally does well around children and will only feel the need to protect when provoked by a predator. Either sex can work as an effective livestock guardian dogs.Generally, males will roam the perimeter of the farm or enclosure more while females will stay closer to the flock. If you want to learn how to obedience train your dog using positive training methods, check out the online program, Brain Training for Dogs (affiliate link). 6 Reasons NOT to Get a Great Pyrenees | It's Dog or Nothing If you feed your Great Pyrenees commercially manufactured food, make sure it is high in omega 3 and 6 to keep his thick white coat luxurious. However, there is some evidence that suggests they may have also been used to haul dairy carts and other sheep-related products. However, prospective Karakachan owners should be aware that although these dogs are sweet-tempered and well-mannered with their own families, they still have guardian instincts and will become highly protective. Their coat is well suited to extreme weather with a shorter summer coat and dense double winter coat. If you do need to clip their nails, either have a professional do it or make sure you have industrial strength nail clippers to ensure you do not damage their nails. Your email address will not be published. . Komondor. 8 male, 2 females. They bond strongly with their owners but if left alone too much will become overly protective against all humans. Additionally, livestock guardian dogs work to deter predators in a number of ways before engaging in any physical confrontation. Great Pyrenees vs Bulgarian Shepherd. Your dog's ears will need to be cleaned with special ear-cleaning lotion and his nails will also need to be trimmed. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive There are a couple of characteristics livestock guardian dogs have in common. A Veterinarian's Review of the Raw Diet for Dogs, Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, Doggy Dental Care How to Keep a Dogs Teeth in Good Condition, Travel Vaccinations & Preparing Your Dog for Foreign Travel. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet. Karakachan is more "stay at home". Livestock Guardian Dog Breed Comparison - Backyard Goats That way, older dogs can stay back with the flock while younger, more agile dogs can go after predators and patrol the perimeter. They bond with the animals, living with them and protecting them from goat predators. For a thorough review of what the program includes, the things I love about it, and the things I dislike about it, see my review article here. She is 7 months old now. The Karakachan people were highly victimized, and their nomadic ways of life forcibly ceased. This mandate affected many species, including dogs. If you are considering adding Karakachans to your household, be certain you understand how to train using positive methods, and that you are willing to put considerable time and effort into your training your dogs. . GREAT PYRENEES- KARAKACHAN - and SNOW in New York State!!! - BackYardHerds Found all the basics I wanted to know about LGD breeds. This breed is not for inexperienced owners. This is a beautiful dog, noticeable by the essentially white coat and his overall size, standing at 70 to 82cm and weighing between 40 to 54 kg. Also, look out for bone cancer with your pet and as mentioned previously, bloat, which is a life threatening disease where the stomach of the dog swells up. Hi, I have a Karakachan/Great Pyr cross. These dogs are happy to help protect your farm and flocks and enjoy working on a daily basis. The numbers of Karakachan dogs reduced dramatically during this time, and the breed has never fully recovered from this decision. Some even have mane-like fur to protect their neck and shoulder region from the teeth of predators. They are extremely alert and known for their acute senses. These are the best guard dogs, according to science This problem can cause your pet to be in pain and he can also become lame, battling to walk and play and battling to get up after lying down.

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