Would Caucasian Ovcharka make a good Service Dog?

Q: Any Caucasian Ovcharka owners?
In your opinion as an owner, would this breed make a good service dog? This entails being able to go in public without making a disturbance, not being in any way aggressive, attentive to its handler, and able to reliably learn tasks.

Caucasian Ovcharka is a breed that I have always admired, and I recently met one at my local pet store. I am in the process of looking for a new dog and I want more information on the breed. It seems that most of the websites I've found have contradicting information.

Photo Credit: https://www.thunderhawkcaucasians.com/

Answers and Views:

Answer by Faye Magana
I own a 6-month-old male Caucasian Ovcharka and it is all of what you’ve read. He was a sweet puppy and is still - but is now his light switch is turned on. Recently he has had food aggression and this is after training.
He did 7 days of board and train and it did about nothing. He already knew sit and down, that didn’t teach much more than to walk on a leash without pulling.
He is a huge 80 lbs at 6 1/2 months. Not a big barker and only sheds twice a year not all year long.
They are very aggressive even when socialized as a puppy, as they are fiercely protective. They should never be allowed off leash. They will challenge you, even as an owner or alpha.

Answer by John
I own a male and female, both 2 years old. They are awesome! We trained them seriously from the beginning. My wife who is about 5 feet tall and weighs about 120 lbs has no trouble taking them for walks in the neighborhood.

They don't really need too much room indoors as they usually lay down near us indoors and only rouse when something gets there attention. It's amazing to see them "turn-on" when they hear something out of the ordinary. I have no worries about my family's safety under the protection of our dogs.

They both know when friends come over that they're not a threat.

COs are great pets if properly bred and trained.

Answer by Schnauzer Mom ♥
No, I don't think Caucasian Ovcharka would be a good choice for a service dog, because of the wariness and the trainability.
They're Livestock Guardian Dogs, which generally means:

1) They are loyal to their family and flock
2) They are distrustful of strangers
3) They are heavy shedders since they are used to working outside
4) They are independent and headstrong
5) They bark. A lot. Especially at night.
6) Most LGDs will dig a "nest" in the landscape, a depression in the ground where they can rest and keep an eye on their flock

• Can Caucasian Ovcharka be trained not to be aggressive?
• Do Caucasian Mountain Shepherd Dogs Make Good Pet?
• Are Caucasian Shepherds good Guard Dogs and Pets?

They are not dogs who play fetch - if you were stupid enough to throw it, then they expect you to go get it.
They are not a high prey-drive breed, however, they may not tolerate other dogs very well.

It's really sad to hear that they have made it to pet stores. Caucasian Ovcharka is a breed that needs to be bred for temperament and ability, not spit out by some puppy mill to be foisted off on people who fall in love with the adorable fluffy puppy but have no clue how to handle an adult Ovcharka.
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