meet the...Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country Former Ussr
Weight Males: 121-176 pounds. Females: 88-143 pounds.
Height Males: 25-27 inches. Females: 23-25 inches.
Other Name(s) Central Asia Shepherd Dog, CENTRAL ASIAN Ovtcharka, CENTRAL ASIAN Shepherd, CENTRAL ASIAN Shepherd Dog, MIDDLE ASIAN OVTCHARKA, Middle Asian Owtcharka, SRedNEASIATSKIA Ovtcharka
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog breed is actually an umbrella term for a number of regional landrace breeds found throughout Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and neighboring regions, thanks in part to the nomadic nature of their masters. They, along with their ancestors, are among the oldest pastoral breeds and can be traced back to approximately 3,000 BCE. These dogs were brought along the Silk Road with ancient nomadic tribes who traveled between the Caspian Sea, China, throughout Southern Ural, and all the way to Afghanistan. These dogs protected people and livestock from predators and thieves. The breed type was forged not by preference but by the harsh conditions and environment of the high plains and mountainous regions.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat broad mesaticephalic skull type, large in size, yet in proportion to the overall size of the dog. The head appears rectangular when viewed in profile or from above. It is fairly clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles. The skull is flat, long, deep, as broad (measured across the top in front of the ears) as it is long (from stop to occiput) and well-padded with muscle. A median furrow runs from the stop and disappears toward the occiput. The zygomatic arches are broad, well-developed, and well-padded with powerful muscles, but they are not overly prominent. The supraorbital arches are moderately defined. The occiput is well-defined but concealed by strong musculature.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and any shade of brown. Amber or hazel is permitted, but darker eyes are preferred. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size and set low on the skull, with the lower part of the base falling just below eye level. Triangular in shape. Ears may be natural (preferred) or surgically cropped. Natural ears are rose or can be drop-type with edges and tips hanging with the inner edges and tips close to the head. The ears are never long or overly large. Cropped ears are often cut short.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, broad, and rectangular. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level or just slightly convex. It tapers slightly from the broad base toward the nose. The upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black or self-colored (liver, flesh-tone, blue, or gray), according to the coat. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Moderate in length, yet sufficient to allow for good head carriage and movement. Powerfully muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers just slightly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, with a slight amount of loose skin at the throat area, but without excess skin, throatiness, or pendulous dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed without being excessively pronounced.
Body: Compact, solid, and substantial. The body is never racy, refined, or cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set high on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually approximately level with or just above the topline, but never tucked. The tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or sabered.
Movement: The movement of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog breed is free, energetic, elastic, effortless, and efficient. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. The width between the forefeet, when extended, should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Central Asian Shepherd dog breed has been bred for centuries as a pastoral protection dog. They are prized for their independence, loyalty, and, when needed, willingness to engage in combat to protect their flock. For this reason, the breed is known to naturally tend to be territorial and aggressive towards any person or animal outside of their flock or family. Males are also sometimes used for the cruel sport of dog-fighting in their native territories. For those wanting to keep a Central Asian Sheepdog as a part of the family, this means that strict obedience and socialization must occur from early puppyhood on to prevent problems later down the road. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Proportions: Off-square to somewhat rectangular, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is between 10:9 and 5:4. Females may be slightly longer. The body is robust, athletic, and well put together, with sturdy substance and sturdy bone. Males are more masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females are more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of a male or female is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat broad mesaticephalic skull type, large in size, yet in proportion to the overall size of the dog. The head appears rectangular when viewed in profile or from above. It is fairly clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles. The skull is flat, long, deep, as broad (measured across the top in front of the ears) as it is long (from stop to occiput) and well-padded with muscle. A median furrow runs from the stop and disappears toward the occiput. The zygomatic arches are broad, well-developed, and well-padded with powerful muscles, but they are not overly prominent. The supraorbital arches are moderately defined. The occiput is well-defined but concealed by strong musculature.
Expression: Self-assured, dignified, attentive, self-confident, and self-composed.
Stop: The stop is moderately defined.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:2 and 2:3, with the topskull being longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, broad, and rectangular. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level or just slightly convex. It tapers slightly from the broad base toward the nose. The upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are well-pigmented, fairly clean, and fit fairly well over the teeth and jaws. They should never extend beyond the lower plane of the bottom jawline.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black or self-colored (liver, flesh-tone, blue, or gray), according to the coat. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and powerfully muscled. They never appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work is not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and any shade of brown. Amber or hazel is permitted, but darker eyes are preferred. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size and set low on the skull, with the lower part of the base falling just below eye level. Triangular in shape. Ears may be natural (preferred) or surgically cropped. Natural ears are rose or can be drop-type with edges and tips hanging with the inner edges and tips close to the head. The ears are never long or overly large. Cropped ears are often cut short.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, solid, and substantial. The body is never racy, refined, or cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate in length, yet sufficient to allow for good head carriage and movement. Powerfully muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers just slightly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, with a slight amount of loose skin at the throat area, but without excess skin, throatiness, or pendulous dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed without being excessively pronounced.
Topline: Straight and level or just slightly sloped from prominent withers to croup. The back is of a good length, broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is broad, taut, flat and level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never elongated, swayed, or roached.
Croup: Flat and level with the back or gently sloped.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set high on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually approximately level with or just above the topline, but never tucked. The tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or sabered.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters and moderately well-angulated. The shoulder blades are long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: Th elbows are close to the body. The distance from the ground to the point of the elbows is approximately half or just over half (50-52%) of the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper thigh and lower thigh are fairly long and equal in length, strong, sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Fairly well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The Central Asian Shepherd Dog comes in three coat varieties: smooth, long, and intermediate.
Smooth-coat variety: The coat is shortest on the face and fairly short, smooth, and close to the body throughout. The texture is harsh and thick. The undercoat is dense, soft, and protective. The coat is somewhat uniform in length throughout the body but may be slightly longer on the neck, forming a light ruff, and on the tail. No major discernible fringe or feather is observed on the back of the legs, but a brushy tail is often present.
Long-coat variety: The coat is short on the face, forehead, and front of the forelimbs and hindlimbs. The outer coat is abundantly thick and long, being longer on the neck, around the ears, and back of the forelimbs and hindlimbs, feet, and tail, forming a well-developed “mane,” fringe, furnishings, and tail plume. Undercoats are dense, soft, supportive, and protective.
Intermediary coat variety: The coat can fall anywhere in between the two types, with characteristics of both in length, density, and furnishings.
Coat Color or Pattern: Black, brindle, fawn, gray, russet, gray-brown, and parti-color, all with or without white markings. White with the above listed color markings. Solid ticked or solid white.
Movement
The movement of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog breed is free, energetic, elastic, effortless, and efficient. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. The width between the forefeet, when extended, should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Central Asian Shepherd dog breed has been bred for centuries as a pastoral protection dog. They are prized for their independence, loyalty, and, when needed, willingness to engage in combat to protect their flock. For this reason, the breed is known to naturally tend to be territorial and aggressive towards any person or animal outside of their flock or family. Males are also sometimes used for the cruel sport of dog-fighting in their native territories. For those wanting to keep a Central Asian Sheepdog as a part of the family, this means that strict obedience and socialization must occur from early puppyhood on to prevent problems later down the road. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper, healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
