Other names: Nagazi, Caucasian Mountain Dog or Caucasian Ovcharka.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a large livestock guardian dog breed from the Caucasus Mountains, commonly bred in the mountainous regions of Transcaucasia, especially in Georgia.

Appearance

The Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is a strongly-boned, muscular, but handsome and even-tempered molossoid dog. Plain dogs have a shorter coat and appear taller as they are less strongly built. Alpine types have a heavier coat and are more muscular.

The Caucasian Ovcharka is a large dog. Minimum weight and height for bitches are 64 centimetres/45 kilograms, with a preferred height range of 67–70 centimetres, for dogs the minimum is 68 centimetres /50 kilograms, with a preferred height of 72–75 centimetres.

History

The Caucasus Mountains are home to many of the oldest living molossoid landrace dogs, such as the Azerbaijani Volkodav, Azerbaijani Shepherd Dog and Georgian Shepherd Dog. During the 20th century, the Soviet breeders selected some of these varieties among Caucasian dogs and created the Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed. The modern show class Caucasian Shepherd is a hybrid of established Caucasian types, fundamentally based on the Georgian Shepherd Dog, which is the largest and most muscularly built dog with attractive long hair.

The breed’s first official Show-Ring appearance outside the Caucasus was in the 1930s in Germany.

Since ancient times Caucasian mountain dogs have served shepherds in the Caucasus mountains as livestock guardian dogs, defending sheep from predators, mainly wolves, jackals and bears. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs served as guard dogs, bear hunting dogs and today they work as prison guard dogs in Russia.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a fully standardized breed, recognized by major kennel organizations, including the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and the United Kennel Club.

The Caucasian Ovcharka Working Dog Club of America is seeking full recognition from the American Kennel Club.

Health

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is generally healthy and long-lived, averaging a life span of 10–12 years. 

The ears of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are traditionally cropped, although some modern dogs are unaltered, as many people believe that this practice is unethical and cruel. 

Exercise and play-time are important to help prevent obesity in this breed. Outdoor activities such as hiking, chasing balls and retrieving flying discs can be a way to keep dogs active and mentally stimulated.