The four-footed guard dog of Moscow’s notorious prisons earned an international reputation. Brave, courageous, and incredibly soft, the Caucasian shepherd is awestruck by dog lovers by its devotion to the dog and stunningly attractive appearance.
Also often referred to as the Russian prison dog and many other titles, this formidable molosser is a sought-after working dog that has recently stirred discussions through a series of YouTube videos.
Explore the background of this gorgeous breed and discover why the Caucasian shepherd has been called the most coveted guard dog.
Russian Prison Dogs: Key Takeaways
- The Caucasian shepherd is a huge and formidable dog breed that is known by various names. Some call this breed the Caucasian sheepdog, while others refer to it as the Ovcharka; however, many call it “the Russian prison dog,” an ode to one of the tasks the breed is often employed in.
- Although it is typically employed for guard dogs and protection in the current world, however, this Russian prison animal was initially an animal used for farming. Although they might have been assigned many different tasks, their size and nature made them ideal for protecting livestock from predators.
- Although Russian prison dogs make great pets for experienced owners, they’re completely inappropriate for people who aren’t experienced. These dogs do not just have huge sizes, but their freedom makes them difficult to train.
The Many Names of the Russian Prison Dog
The Caucasian shepherd has a breed that has many names. Some are influenced by its origins and others by the various roles that he’s played over the decades. Certain breeds are more accurate than others. However, we’ll give them all a name to help clear the air.
The most popular breed terms are
- Caucasian shepherd dogs- The breed’s technical name is frequently shortened to Caucasian shepherd or CSD. The breed is influenced by the Caucasus Mountains, which is where the breed originated.
- Ovcharka/Ovtcharka-While they are widely used to describe these breeds, the words ovcharka and ovtcharka are generally Russian terms used to describe livestock guardian dogs (also known as shepherd dogs). A variety of other breed names include the word “ovcharka,” including the Vostochno Evropeiskaya ovcharka and the South Russian ovcharka.
- Caucasian Ovcharka-This is another way of saying Caucasian shepherd dog. It’s often abbreviated to CO.
- Caucasian sheepdog-The Caucasian shepherd is a traditional guardian of livestock, which includes sheep. Thus, the alternative name.
- Caucasian mountain dogs: The name is a tribute to its past; however, it can be viewed as too broad as many breeds are from this region.
- Kavkazskaia Ovtcharka-The breed’s name is in the original Russian language spoken by its fellow countrymen.
- Russian bear dogs-The early Caucasian shepherds were employed during bear hunts, earning the name.
And as you’ve probably heard already, this breed can be known as “The Russian prison dog.” Russian prison dog as a reference to the work which he’s frequently asked to do.
The Caucasian shepherd can be confused with its clone breed. That is, it’s the Central Asian shepherd; however, they are two distinct breeds. Numerous breeds that are similar originate from this region, like those from the Georgian shepherd dog and, to the south, that of the Akbash and the Kangal.
The Outer Loop: What’s with all the hype surrounding Russian prison Dogs?
Caucasian shepherds have enjoyed an explosion in popularity thanks to the growing trend to countdowns of the breed through YouTube and other platforms for video sharing. This is especially true of those that depict guard dogs.
They’re highly sought-after as guardians, and their training is often documented, showing huge dogs acting with power, from locking themselves into bite sleeves to chasing off “bad guys.”
These videos deserve much attention since they are stunning feats of canine athleticism.
While these videos are enjoyable, it’s important to remember that this Caucasian shepherd can be a huge, difficult breed that needs an experienced and knowledgeable owner committed to a lifetime of training and socialization.
The ovcharka does not form in any way, shape, or manner a doggo suitable for people who are new to HTML0.
History of the Russian Prison Dog
The CSD started his career in the Caucasus Mountains, a mountain range located between the Caspian and Black Seas, where Asia and Europe meet.
The area is home to a variety of large predators, like bears and wolves, and the farmers required strong dogs to ensure the safety of livestock and repel these predators. Dogs also had to be strong enough to stand up to the brutal winters that plague the region.
A Caucasian shepherd is a farmer’s dog’s right hand and is responsible for keeping the livestock safe and guarding the homestead against intruders from the outside. The fiercely protective nature of this breed led to him becoming an excellent bear companion on hunts and, in recent times, a top military, prison, and police dog.
It is believed that the Caucasian shepherd also happens to be among the breeds used to make the dispersed Moscow water dog.
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Physical Attributes of the Russian Prison Dog
The Caucasian shepherd dog can weigh in at 220 pounds for a huge breed. They can even reach up to 30 inches over on the side of the body. Like most breeds, males tend to be bigger than females.
It is heavy-built and has long, solid muscles and impressive limbs. Naturally, animals adjust to their environment, and therefore a work animal tends to be more likely to possess this physique. In contrast, a couch-hopping pet is likely to have a smaller size.
If you look at the CSD, you’ll likely be able to see his hair first (in the long coat variety). Its head is enormous, with wide ears with shrewd movements, and it keeps long hair high. The thick hair covering the shoulders and neck will make it appear larger and more intimidating to predators.
The Russian Prison Dog’s Coat
The coat of the CSD is the most recognizable feature and is characterized by the thick fur that shields it from the cold mountain winters that it grew up in.
Its coat is available in various varieties, such as medium, short and long versions, with an undercoat that is short and thick. The breed is available in various colors, including gray, tan, and red being the most popular. The breed is usually covered with the appearance of a mask. It may also be spotted with pibald, brindle, and white spots.
As you’d imagine, grooming all this fur isn’t simple. It’s necessary to brush it regularly throughout the week to get rid of dead hair and prevent hair tangles. This can be an issue for long-coated CSDs, particularly around the feathering of the tail and legs.
This CSD is also a powerful shedder, with an annual hair loss that will make your home the middle of a massive hair apocalypse over several weeks. At this point, daily brushing is necessary to keep track of the plethora of hair.
The health of the Russian Prison Dog
The Caucasian shepherd dog is a tough breed with a life span of between 10 and 12 years. However, it can face the usual health issues to look out for, just similar to other giant breeds such as:
- Hip dysplasia
- Luxating patella
- Bloat
- Cataracts
Because it’s a huge dog, it’s crucial to feed it a premium large breed puppy feed to encourage your dog’s growth to be healthy. In the years to come, you must keep your CSD’s weight within a certain range to ensure that he doesn’t strain his joints.
The personality of the Russian Prison Dog
The Caucasian shepherd was born to guard. The strong instincts to guard result in a trusting companion whose loyalty seems to have no limitations.
Whether a child in the backyard or sheep out in the pasture, its property and people come first. This deep attachment and a territorial nature make it a highly sought-after livestock protector. However, these qualities could also make it a bit of a party pooper during family gatherings.
The CSD is smart, but its independence is unparalleled. It takes perseverance and patience to guide it to become the perfect version of itself. This combination creates a dog that is difficult to train.
Although he’s an extremely powerful dog, this Caucasian shepherd tends to be a slow-moving dog indoors. Walking on a daily basis is a great way to keep it trimmed. However, a walk in a big, secure space is ideal for keeping its mind with stimulating smells and sights.
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Is a Russian Prison Dog Right for Your Family?
While admiring these gorgeous dogs from a distance may be one thing, owning them is different. It is important to keep in mind that the massive dogs need extensive training and strong leadership.
Although CSD can be a dog breed with numerous admirers, CSD isn’t necessarily the ideal choice for most pet owners. CSD is a powerful, large guardian who requires puppy parents with plenty of experience to keep its natural abilities (and abilities) in the right place. It’s also a costly pet to look after, with high food costs and grooming expenses to be expected (if the dog is willing to go to the professionally groomed groomer).
Regular socialization is essential-with you Caucasian shepherd to avoid aggression issues. This includes interactions with other animals and with people since the breed is typically aloof to each.
The Caucasian shepherd should begin training in obedience immediately upon his arrival home. They should have regularly scheduled, ongoing training sessions to improve their skills. As this training is essential to an overall healthy and happy Caucasian shepherd, you must be positive and don’t forcefully correct it.
The Caucasian shepherd dog is not suggested for families with young children or for those who often gather in their homes.
The dog isn’t able to decipher between the horsing about between its friends and a threat that could be extremely dangerous for a dog this size. It’s also known that it’s protective of his home. In lieu of having fun with these events, it’s likely to make it feel stressed out.
Alongside guarding, in addition to guarding, the dog is designed for a variety of tasks on the farm, including cart-pulling. As a large dog, it requires a lot of space and is most content on a farm or an equivalent land in which it can stretch its legs and do what it is most passionate about doing: working. Every CSD should get moderate exercise, for example, long walks or an adventure in the field.
Do you have a Caucasian shepherd at your house? Have you had the chance to meet one? Tell us about it via the comment section.
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