Q: Caucasian Shepherd/Ovcharka/Mountain Dog?
I have heard many things about Caucasian Shepherd (Ovcharka), all of them about how aggressive and territorial they are (the trait I admire). I understand that these dogs are not for beginners but I am a military man and I have worked with large dogs. My only question is whether or not Caucasian Ovcharka can be trained not to be aggressive. I fear that I could train it in some wrong way, and it mauls some child and has to be put down.
Answers and Views:
Answer by Bill
I urge anyone considering this particular breed to be very cautious. While my experience is not extensive, my son was injured fairly badly by one of these dogs, and I actually don't think he was even really agitated. I also don't think you can assign blame to the dog or my son.
All animals have bad days and react accordingly to the situation around them. In this case, the dog overreacted to some unknown stimulus, like many dogs do. It just happens this was a 230lb killer and the owner could not fully control the animal. He ultimately admitted there were times he had to lock himself in the barn to get away from the dog, but he used it to keep bears away from his property.
If the incident involved a shepherd or pit bull, there is a pretty good chance they can be confronted successfully, but no human is a match for Caucasian Ovcharka. I think anyone looking to own one of these dogs really needs to take a long hard look at what could happen if the dog has a bad day, or misinterprets a situation, which animals are sometimes prone to do.
I have trained collies and shepherds my whole life, and am not sure I would be adequately prepared to control one of these.
Answer by Brandon
I have a 3-year-old female Caucasian Ovcharka and a 9-month-old male Caucasian Ovcharka. I have not seen the natural aggression from either one of my dogs. I got the female when she was 10 weeks old and the male when he was 7 weeks old. Through consistent training and socialization, these dogs can be as friendly as your average golden retriever. You just have to set the hierarchy at an early age and stick to it until they are mature.
A Caucasian must know that you are the leader and that they are below people in the hierarchy. If you do not get this set in stone with them then that’s when you run into the issue of a very dangerous dog that is acting on its instinct.
The Caucasian takes its lead from you at all times. It can sense if you are relaxed and then they are relaxed and if you are tense then they will be tense and more prone to react. but the just of it is yes a Caucasian Ovcharka can be non-aggressive and friendly but it takes commitment, consistency, and socialization and you have to keep your wits about you all the time because even when you have trained a Caucasian to be a companion rather than a guardian they still have the guardian instinct and if they can sense you are afraid or agitated or unsure of a situation then there is still the likelihood that their guardian instinct will kick in to defend their family.
Answer by Annette
I own a Caucasian Shepherd female, she is 6 months old now, we have had her for a few months. She is the nicest dog there is I own six different breeds and my little Yorkie/poo is meaner than she is. She loves everyone she meets from a mailman to a neighbor. I live in the country and she has acres to run and it isn't fenced in. I always say it isn't the breed of the dog its how they're treated. I would own another one in a heartbeat.
At night she does patrol the yard and clucks like a chicken which is so funny, then she comes back like its ok. ANY dog can be mean... This breed is just getting a bad name.
Answer by Art
At 6 months she's still a puppy. They usually change at 8-9 months. But yes, I think Caucasian Shepherd can be trained not to be aggressive by an experienced trainer.
Answer by Greek God AKA Greekman
The trait which you admire in this breed is genetic in nature and although some socialization may help, you will not be able to suppress being aggressive and territorial.
These dogs, much like one of my all-time favorites, the Fila, requires a lifestyle that does not involve surprises as far as your social life.
I would NOT trust a Caucasian Ovcharka to not engage anything that enters its property.
- How much would a typical Caucasian mountain dog cost?
- Caucasian Mountain Shepherd Dog Attack Video
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Answer by [email protected]
Caucasian Shepherds are naturally aggressive dogs and have been used by Eastern Block countries as guard dogs for that reason. These dogs will, if brought up in one family from puppyhood, guard that family but will attack any other human or animal.
Training these dogs is extremely difficult and you should be aware the dog is always liable to revert to type. My personal choice would be a German Shepherd, which can be trained with relative ease to be sociable but still guard its territory, ie your home and you.
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[email protected] says
Love what Aaron said …it’s real
favour says
can someone tame a fully matured caucasian female
Brandon says
I have a 3 year old female Caucasian ovcharka and a 9 month old male Caucasian ovcharka. I have not seen the natural aggression from either one of my dogs. I got the female when she was 10 weeks old and the male when he was 7 weeks old. Through consistent training and socialization these dogs can be as friendly as your average golden retriever. You just have to set the hierarchy at an early age and stick to it until they are mature. A Caucasian must know that you are the leader and that they are below people in the hierarchy. If you do not get this set in stone with them then that’s when you run in to the issue of a very dangerous dog that is acting on its instinct. The Caucasian take its lead from you at all times. It can sense if you are relaxed and then they are relaxed and if you are tense then they will be tense and more prone to react. but the just of it is yes a Caucasian ovcharka can be non aggressive and friendly but it takes commitment, consistency and socialization and you have to keep your whits about you all the time because even when you have trained a Caucasian to be a companion rather than a guardian they still have the guardian instinct and if they can sense you are afraid or agitated or unsure of a situation then there is still the likelihood that there guardian instinct will kick in to defend their family.
Asia555 says
Hi everyone it is very very funny to me … everybody talking about how tough and unpredictable and aggressive is caucasian shepherd , but anytime you see who actually breed them it’s always a female :) here in United States we have three main breeders only one of them is a man two other one is females and in Russia almost ultimately all of them Who is breeding this type of dogs are females !!!! I have a few of them and they are best friends ! yes they very protective but don’t put the dog in a bad situation if you don’t want to have a bad reaction don’t let them lose in public and have respect for this gorgeous and brave and proud animals !
akua says
from what im learning this breed is fairly aggressive but you will only realize this after the puppy stages , I have a six month old causacian alsation ,and she is the most docile creature ………..am I in for a shock as she matures?
RussianDog says
Difficult to say anything about the Caucasian Alsatian. A Caucasian Shepherd may change after 8 month old, full temperament is reached after 4 years old.
Aarno says
Please people, if you want a dog like Tibets Mastiff or Georgian variety of Owcharka start by having easy dog like Rotweiler. If you dont find Rotweiler to be an easy dog, you really should not have one of these dogs. NO, Rotweiler is not an easy dog, but it will be absolutely great if you accept your own position in the pack. TB’s and G-O’s are really dogs that are so powerful that it demands right mental AND physical attitude. You make the rules, simple and fair and stick to them. These dogs have exceptional adrenalin out puts, which makes them virtually immune to pain after a point. You dont want to push them over that point. Instead of beating you should ”blow their mind”. Good trick is to grab them from arse and neck(never mind the nicks) and throw them to a wall. This does not hurt them, but for a dog it’s magic to grab someone with paws and throw’ em. Sounds much more brutal than it is. I would never give this advice to someone training a retriever. You really just have to be ”magic boss” to these dogs or they will keep on pushing. I am a big man and I expect my dogs to represent and protect rest of my pack and guard my property when I sleep or work. TB’s and G-O’s are receiving bad reputation because relatively few ”un-hermits” not living in mountains or deserts can socialize them properly. The dog has to trust you, that you don’t take it to situations you can not handle and it learns to follow your lead. That way the inner build violence don’t manifest in unwanted situations. Otherwise these dogs will be extension of your inadequacy.