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Do Caucasian Ovcharka dogs Suffer from Heat?

Q: Do Caucasian Ovcharka dogs suffer from heat like Huskies do?
I have a 5-month-old Caucasian Ovcharka puppy. He's an outside dog.
Although I housetrained him, I decided to get him to sleep outside and spend most of the day with me inside.
Outside, he does have appropriate shelter (shade areas) and a terrific dog house (insulated, carpeted, with sleeping pads etc...).
Caucasian Ovcharka puppy lying on the grass
Photo Credit: Marek Komorowski/Flickr CC
By the time summer rolls in, he would be 1 year old and most likely weighing around 100+ pounds.
And I'm just worried he would suffer while staying out in the summer, especially for long periods of time when I'm not home(out at the beach).

Answers and Views:

Answer by Ringer Dog
They have no problem with the heat as long as there are sufficient shade and water. It sounds like you have a pretty normal temperature range. They do very well in extreme temperatures.


Answer by jacob
Caucasian Ovcharkas despite the obvious of the coat can withstand all temperatures, enough water is good for all breeds and helps in controlling temperature as well. Getting it a wide shaded area constant enough fresh water will be a great help. Do not worry about temperatures.

Answer by Rex
As a former owner of the big-boned, now extinct, plush coated German shepherd, a present owner of the Bouvier des Flandres dog, and a present owner of an imported Zolotoy Grad dog from Russia (which is supposed to tolerate extreme temperatures), these dogs do much better in very cold weather — the colder the better. No two dogs are the same. One can never ever make a general rule about any breed of dog because each dog is a different, unique creature with his or her own preferences and health issues. Obviously, if the dog suffers from hypothyroidism, the dog cannot stay outside in warm to hot weather. One must do what is best for one’s dog.

As for keeping the dog outside, what if the dog manages to escape to literally terrorize the neighborhood? What if someone tries to poison your dog, because they are afraid of your dog? What if someone decides to steal your dog? No matter how large and strong the dog, there are people who know how to steal these dogs by shooting the dog with a sedative. I watch over my imported BRT male dog like a mommy dog. He’s my baby! After how much work it took me to turn him into a socialized gentleman, I am not going to allow anything to happen to him. I could not imagine starting over again. It took 2 years to find him and 2.5 years of intensive training and socialization. Now that he’s perfect, he probably will only live a few or so more years.

Answer by zain
Yes, Caucasian Ovcharka can bear all temperatures.
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Comments ( 14 )

  1. eric "bill" says

    Does it help in warmer summer weather,, if the dog is to be outside patrolling all day, to shave the dogs hair and keep it short short in summer?

    Reply

    • RussianDog says

      No-no, you shouldn’t do that. Their coat protects them both from cold and heat. They need a shelter to hide from the sun and enough water to drink.

      Reply

  2. Chris says

    I have a 5 month old Caucasian shepherd, and I have been offered a job on an island in Thailand where the temperature throughout the year is 23 to 31 degrees celcius, 73-88 degrees Fahrenheit and between 60 and 70% humidity.
    The house is fully air conditioned and air conditioning would be on 24 hours a day in at least one room anyway because I need to keep temperature down on pc servers so it would always be cool in the house. It has a large garden with plenty of shade, a small pool and the door to house would always be open if she was outside.
    She would travel with me to work and back in an air conditioned car.
    The office is fully air-conditioned too and the air con is on from opening to closing time. The office is spacious and cool with loads of places for her to chill if she wants to and its on a beach so she could have a dip in the ocean whenever she wanted to or lie down in shade outside.
    Assuming I made sure constantly that there was fresh water in large amounts in outside areas at home (there already is at the office for some of the local dogs), then the only time she would be exposed to the elements would be when I play with her and walk her every day and when she chose to sit outside in garden or shade on beach.

    I love my dog and wouldn’t want her to be unhappy in any way, I’m not asking would she survive there, I’d like to know if you think it’s a good environment for her and if she would be happy?
    It seems to me that she would love it there and she would only be outside playing in water when she wanted to and can just come inside, seek shade, or drink when she got hot.
    I’m just scared that I’m thinking of what’s best for me and she will suffer.
    I have the option to leave her in uk with family who will look after her well but if she will be happy and healthy I’d rather she was with me.
    I appreciate and help or advice you can offer ?

    Reply

    • RussianDog says

      Thank you for your worries, it’s always great when a dog owner is responsible like you.
      Your dog has quite a thick double coat but this breed comes from a rather warm place like the Caucasus and is not as intolerant of hot climate as the Arctic Husky. If your girl lives in an airconditioned environment that you describe, and has her walks when it’s not so hot, she should be okay, especially because the air is not so humid (60-70% is ok).
      What bothers more, is that it is not a Poodle but a Caucasian Shepherd, even though it is a female.
      You certainly know that it is a one owner dog of a very independent and tough character that will only obey an experienced person that can prove that he can be a leader. Please take it very seriously and build such relations with your dog before she grows up.
      If your UK family doesn’t have good experience in dealing with guard dogs and doesn’t have a sole leader for the Caucasian Shepherd, better not leave her with them.
      It’s good that she is a female and it’s good that you plan to socialize her early. Read more about the Caucasian Ovcharka and how to handle it properly.
      Wish you luck.

      Reply

      • Christian Holmes says

        Thanks so much for the reply.
        I’ll be heading out for a couple of moths ahead of her, and she will follow with the wife after I get the house and car sorted so the place is as accommodating as possible for her arrival.
        I’m socialising her every day and she is going to training classes to meet other dogs and people.
        Both me and my wife who will look after her for the 2.months prior to her coming to me have a lot of experience with large and stubborn breeds, malimutes, akitas etc.
        I was mainly worried about her being miserable or unhealthy because of the climate but I have already found a few options for houses with large yards and pools, and I plan on putting up a canopy over half the yard and a trough for water so if she does decide to chill outside she is as comfortable as possible.
        Thanks again for the advice, really appreciate it. ?

        Reply

  3. Attack helicopter says

    You do know huskys can live in warm climate? The double coat also protect aginst the heat

    Reply

  4. Julia says

    I am in Saudi Arabia and there is a 5 month old male Caucasian Ovcharka at one of the pet shops for sale (with papers). This is not the country for this dog and he will likely end up being bought to fight or to be living outdoors guarding. His life will be miserable………………….
    I am willing to pay 50/50 to buy and ship him to another country (not a hot country!) and a good home where he will have a quality/good life ahead of him. I will ensure very strict criteria and checks are made before allowing the dog to be shipped to anyone that expresses an interest, so please don’t waste my time posting unless you have very serious interest to ‘save’ this dog!
    I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him in the pet-shop. I have 5 large dogs of my own and I/them will be relocating to the UK at the end of the year. I cannot take him with me; otherwise I would!
    Thank you
    Julia

    Reply

  5. zain says

    The comment has been moved into the body of the post.

    Reply

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