Caucasian Shepherd Dog
A massive, fearless mountain guardian from the Caucasus with a thick coat and a fierce instinct to protect.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 68–75 cm · Females 64–70 cm
- Weight
- Males 50–80 kg · Females 45–65 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 45–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short, medium, long
- Colours
- Grey, Fawn, Red, White, Brindle, Piebald
- Bred for
- Guarding livestock, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Russia
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 328 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with other dogs | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 2/5 – Low |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 1/5 – Very low |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 5/5 – Very high |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 5/5 – Very high |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have a secure rural property
- are an experienced owner of guardian breeds
- want a serious protector
Think twice if you …
- have frequent visitors
- live in a city
- want a dog for dog parks
Care
Temperament
Fearless, independent and very protective, devoted to family but suspicious of strangers and often unfriendly with other dogs.
Exercise
Moderate daily walks and space to patrol a secure area; it does not need intense exercise.
Grooming
The thick double coat needs brushing a few times a week and much more during the heavy seasonal moult.
Training
Very independent; requires early, extensive socialisation and calm, consistent leadership. Obedience training will not change its guarding instincts.
Health
The breed is generally robust; hip and elbow dysplasia and obesity are the main concerns. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip and elbow results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog comes from the mountains and plains of the Caucasus, in present-day Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and southern Russia. For centuries it guarded flocks and settlements against wolves and thieves, and in the Soviet era it was standardised and used as a guard dog. The FCI recognises it under Russian patronage.
It is a serious guardian with strong territorial instincts. It is loyal to its family but suspicious of strangers and often intolerant of other dogs. It needs very secure fencing and an experienced, confident owner.
Did you know?
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs were used to guard the Berlin Wall in East Germany.