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.
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.
Answer by peter.ambrose@talk21.com
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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