History is more than an inventory of dates and places. It’s the tale of a species’ adapting to its new role. The background of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is closely linked to the pastoral tradition that is typical of the Caucasus Mountains.
To fully comprehend the nature and the history of the Caucasian Ovcharka, it is necessary to look at the risky work it has been doing for the past two millennia. Transhumance, the lifeline of the shepherd, plays a crucial role in the Caucasus Mountains. The move of animals between pastures in winter and summer valleys was a risky trek, where shepherds depended on their dogs to defend them.
In a typical shepherd’s flock, there were a few Caucasian shepherds present, all outdoors and exposed to any weather. The handlers fed the dogs a small amount of Whey and leftovers of food, making them consume anything they could. This strenuous lifestyle affirmed their efficiency in metabolism and their stoicism.
The Caucasian Mountains have always been the home of fierce predators. The Eurasian Wolf is the main adversary of the shepherd and his dogs. To guard the flock, the Caucasian shepherd was trained to fight the wolves and take them down. Brown Bears, powerful and massive, posed an imminent threat to sheep, requiring the Caucasian Shepherd to have an extremely strong and massive bone structure.
Caucasian leopards, though not common, tested the dogs’ nighttime vigilance. Shepherds took measures to protect their dogs, such as cutting the ears of their pups close to the skull to prevent damage during fights with bears and wolves. Iron-heavy collars with spikes were fitted to guard the blood vessels in battle.
The work that formed the anatomy of the Caucasian Shepherd and its nature instincts is evident in its double coat, which acts as a thermal and biological armor. The mane wrapped around the neck offers an additional layer of protection from predators. Evolution has modified them to live in mountains, conserving energy until threatened, when they accelerate and become aggressive.
origin of caucasian shepherd dog
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