Question by Fred: What is Caucasian Shepherd (Ovcharka) price on average?
How much would a good Caucasian mountain dog cost?
Would the vet bills be expensive?
Are they nice dogs to have?
Answers and Views:
Answer by A
Depends on where you get them from. $500-$4000
Caucasian Shepherd Dog Price
Answer by Mark:
If you are looking for a good Caucasian Shepherd, you might have to pay big bucks. Their average price in the USA is about $1,500 - $3,000.
Established US breeders like Esquire Caucasians or Sila V Krovi normally sell their puppies for $ 2,500 – $ 3,000.
New American breeders ask for an amount between $ 1,500 and $ 2,500.
Those who breed working COs on family farms or import them from Europe, sell a bit cheaper.
Here’s a small table for Caucasian Shepherd prices in the US.
Reputable US breeders: $ 2,500 - $ 3,000
New US breeders: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
Farm/backyard US breeders: $ 1,200 - $ 1,500
Importers from Europe: $ 1500 - $ 2,000
Rehomers: $ 500 - $ 1,000
Today, there are quite a lot of people who have bought a Caucasian Shepherd without knowing and understanding this breed and then try to rehome it for some - even small - money.
Male-Female
Males are usually more expensive than females.
The male Caucasian Ovcharka puppy can cost an average of $2,000 to $2,500.
The cost for a female CO pup ranges from $1,500 to $2,000.
These prices exclude shipping and handling costs as well as any additional registration fees or health screenings which may be required before purchase.
The price of these “Russian Bear Dogs” can vary greatly depending on where you live in the United States, on the quality of the dog, and how much training it has received.
Their high cost is well worth it considering that Caucasian Shepherds are valued for their stability, reliability, and strength. They are known to be one of the best breeds for guarding livestock because they have a natural inclination to protect them from all dangers - human or animal alike.
The Caucasian Ovcharka dogs has exceptional qualities such as its stamina, intelligence, loyalty and its ability to work for long periods of time without tiring. They were used by Russian police to guard and pursue criminals who escape from prisons or detention centers.
Eastern Europe Prices
Answer by Phil:
Eastern Europe's good stock is anywhere between 600 US dollars (if you are really lucky) not including the transport fee to 3,000 US dollars.
UK around 1,200 – 6,000 sterling.
US 1,200 – 14,000 for show winner pups. although the average is 1,200-3,000 US dollars.
But be careful when buying one as they are a LOT of cross-breeding & negative trait breeding in the US and Canada. Mixes are even more dangerous than pure breeds as they lose the "love the family at all costs" traits of their personality.
Also, a warning, only a strong personality, physically strong, dedicated trainer/experienced owner should ever even consider owning this breed. After 14 years of owning Caucasian Ovcharkas, they require expertise I had to learn fast different form training any dog.
I would actually like to see the "dog whisperer" Caesar fix a 4-year-old violent, untrained Ovcharka :) As once they are grown and have not been trained they are almost impossible to rehabilitate.
They are expert & quick killers and cannot be stopped if in a real situation unless trained. It is a shame when the lovely neighbor lady see you outside your fence walking home and then hugs you (doesn't know the dog well) and your Ovcharka jumps his fence, usually he stays but sees you in danger (although not) and dispatches this lovely neighbor to be ready for the morgue in a few seconds.
Answer by Theodora
The Caucasian Ovcharka prices in the US are usually between $ 1200 and $ 3000, depending on the pedigree, and on the breeder. Puppies without papers cost 500-800. I know that in Moscow, Russia, Caucasian Ovcharka puppies with a really good pedigree cost between $ 450 and $ 850.
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Caucasian Ovcharka Personality
Answer by Stephenson
I rescued a Caucasian Mountain dog – the vet estimated she was about 4 when I found her. I have had her for 5 years. Yes–she was impossible to train for a long time–several years! I may have overcorrected because now she is somewhat timid around me; on a walk, she will look to me for the ‘ok’ and that gets a bit tiresome as I have to keep saying–‘come on’ or else she starts to walk behind me instead of in front. One time she pushed her way through the front door and sent me flying onto my deck head first and I injured my knee, so with things like that I had to correct her impulsive behavior for my own safety.
She is not as large as they say in the breed info. I think that’s because she was in very poor condition when I found her, and her growth was stunted due to that. However, I am thankful she is not as big as the breed standard–I have enough to deal with! Her coat takes a LOT of work or it gets matted very easily. Everyone loves her, though, and thinks she is adorable. I got her spayed. She has a breed fault in that one of her eyes (on the rim) has a bit of pink where it should be pigmented all black.
She does need a good amount of exercise. She loves to run and especially roll on the ground. She attacked a stray kitten once, which was very upsetting, so I keep an eye on her for smaller animals now. She is good with cats and dogs (at least so far).
I have worked hard to train her. I could not figure out why she was so hard to train until I read up more about the breed. I think because I got her as an adult it made it all harder. They are beautiful dogs but a lot of work.
Answer by Voir Dire Piaffe
I’m happy to see such frank and honest commentary on the Russian Bear Dog (Caucasian Ovcharka) breed and hopefully, it will frighten the “trendy dog” shopper away. I’m also pleased by the high price value applied in that will also discourage the casual thrill-seeker from purchasing. Too often these obscure breeds become a novelty for selfish, unqualified handlers looking only to make an impression and gain attention. Too many breeds have been ruined and given horrible stigmas simply because of improper handling on a large scale.
I have 30 years of experience with a few breeds requiring dedicated, attentive, and firm guidance to see them reach their full potentials and I wouldn’t be comfortable bringing this breed into my home. I will leave that to the even more qualified, as any responsible handler would. Be smart, people. Not every breed is suited to every home.
Answer by Gene
Because Caucasian shepherds are a very rare breed and very few breeders out there, they're expensive, at least $ 2000.
Because they're a large breed, vet bills will be more expensive than most. That being said, they're inherently in better shape than most other large dogs like Mastiffs and Saint Bernards. But look for CHD to be an issue when it gets older.
- Should I get a Caucasian Shepherd?
- Where to find a Caucasian Mountain Dog puppy for sale?
- Caucasian Ovcharka breeders in Australia?
If you're looking for an extremely aggressive guard dog, then they're fantastic (click for video). I've trained most popular breeds out there, and from what I've heard, these dogs are a different animal. They're one of the oldest and most primitive dogs in existence today. They originated in Europe and were used by the Russian military as guard dogs that were trained to knock down and maim enemies.
You'll need a very firm hand with these dogs. There are a lot of very bad rumors about them out there, and I've heard from other trainers that they're a nightmare. I personally tend to wait until I meet one myself. With proper socialization and training, any breed is manageable.
Answer by Professor Coldheart!
How 'nice' they are has a lot to do with the temperament of the parents and how they're raised. All dogs need to be well socialized. How healthy the parents are, and how careful the breeder is, will also have a lot to do with how healthy the dog is. In general, though, Caucasian Ovcharka are pretty healthy but can have problems with hips and obesity. Also, they tend to be very assertive and, in some cases, aggressive. They're not for new or casual dog owners.
That being said, puppies' price can go for more than two grand. They aren't cheap and they aren't very common.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Brian Burdick says
Hi again folks,
In answer to the question of a Causian Ovcharica good in an apartment, sure. Just like a spotted hyena would be. A wonderful dog like that needs room to run.
The average apartment would be like a solitary confinement cell to him. Not to mention the racket he would make every time a neighbor walked by.
Not being an expert on them and only using some applied common sense, I wouldn’t have one if I lived in an apartment.
Thank you.
Brian
sarang says
Caucasian overcharka is good for apartment
pablo says
i live in Nigeria, and i have a 4 month old Caucasian shepherd i named her Paris , she is such a wonderful pup but very playful and stubborn and will refuse to listen to basic command like ‘go into your cage until i am wielding a stick or Cain then she runs off, still stopping at intervals looking back at me ,for me to repeat command or get closer to her till she finally goes,she is such an intelligent breed,but pisses me off with her stubborn attitudes, she always jump at people and plays always with her teeth , not biting but just slightly trying to chew,i dont know much about her temperament yet,but i take away her bowl of meal while eating and sometimes commands her to sit while eating and she listens ,she plays rough a lot,
Dre says
Doing some research on family guard dogs I came across this breed along with the boerboel and cane corso. I am now obsessed with them especially the Caucasian, but I have never owned a dog other than dog sitting pit bulls and Rottweilers for friends. What dog would you recommend as first time owner to prepare myself for a C.O. or boerboel?
RussianDog says
Thank you for your question. If you want a large dog that resembles the Caucasian Ovcharka, we would risk to suggest a Leonberger. It is an impressive dog that looks like CO but is much easier to handle.
Dre says
Thank you
Keith Deuchler says
Depends on your personality. Are you the alpha-male type. And do you show fear in your heart around animals .
Especially large breed dogs. I don’t think the Caucasian would be a good recommendation unless you strongly need protection. And have someone to train the dog.
Keith Deuchler says
Dire… first dog trying a black or brown Labrador. Not as large as what you’re looking at but with a strong nose and protection. They will let you know when somebody’s there. The best thing about them is they are easily trained and smart dogs. Use a strong voice, hand signals and quicks of your fingers. I will hope that you would get one as a pup to train in his early life
Dre says
That’s actually the dog my wife wants. Thank you
toni says
Hi. My husband is dead set on getting one of these dogs. How ever we have two small children (ages 1yr and 4yrs old. ) both boys. I am the main person home at all times with the kiddos and my husband has a gruff personality as it. How is this breed with small children and other dogs?
RussianDog says
Toni, you should read more about Caucasian Shepherds on our website, and you should think twice before making a decision. It is a very dominant dog that can be handled only by an experienced owner. At 8-10 months it will try hard to become the leader of the pack, and you will have to convince this dog that you are the leader. It is a dog of one owner. If it picks you as its master it will not obey your husband, especially if it rarely sees him. This dog may be good with children and protect them just because they are the weakest members of the pack but it will never obey them, and it may try to teach them like it teaches its own puppies – with a short kick of the teeth.