South Russian Shepherd Dog
A big, shaggy white steppe guardian: quick, protective and independent, with a coat that takes real commitment.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 65–75 cm · Females 62–70 cm
- Weight
- Males 40–50 kg · Females 35–45 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Every day
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- White, Cream, Grey
- Bred for
- Guarding livestock, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Russia
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 326 · Sheepdogs & cattle 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 | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 5/5 – Very high |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 5/5 – Very high |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very 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 experience with guardian breeds
- have space and a secure fence
- enjoy coat care
Think twice if you …
- are a first-time owner
- have a busy household with lots of visitors
- live in a hot climate
Care
Temperament
Quick, confident and strongly protective of home and family. It is distrustful of strangers and may be intolerant of unfamiliar dogs. It is independent and needs clear, calm leadership.
Exercise
Needs daily walks and time to move freely in a secure area. Hiking and long walks in cool weather suit it better than fast-paced sports.
Grooming
The long, thick coat mats easily and needs thorough brushing very often, ideally daily. Many owners keep the coat shorter for practical reasons.
Training
Start socialisation early and keep it going all its life. Train with patience and consistency; it is not suited to beginners.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia are the main concerns, and eye problems can occur under the heavy facial hair. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The South Russian Shepherd Dog, or Yuzhak, guarded sheep on the steppes of southern Ukraine and Crimea. Large flocks of merino sheep and long distances called for a fast, tough dog that could act on its own. The breed nearly disappeared during the 20th century and was later rebuilt from a small number of dogs.
Today it is a striking but demanding companion. It is affectionate with its own family yet suspicious of strangers, and it reacts quickly. It needs space, a secure fence, experienced handling and a lot of grooming. For the right owner it is a loyal and impressive guardian.
Did you know?
The long hair over its eyes is not trimmed away in the standard and is thought to have helped protect the eyes from steppe dust and sun.