Russian Bear Dogs, also known as Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, are large, powerful dogs that were originally bred to protect flocks of sheep from predators in the Caucasus Mountains. These dogs are known for their strength, courage, and independence, making excellent guard dogs.
These are typically large and muscular, with males standing 27-30 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 200 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, but they are still very imposing dogs.
If you are looking for a large, protective dog, the Russian Bear Dog is a good choice. However, these dogs are not for everyone. They require a lot of space and exercise and are unsuitable for inexperienced dog owners. Let’s know more about Russian Bear Dog:
History of the Russian Bear Dog
- This dog’s real name is Caucasian Ovcharka, meaning ‘sheepdog of Caucasian.’
- It goes back 2500 years in time. It comes from really old Molossers.
- It comes from the mountains of Caucasus, Russia.
- Long ago, people made this big Russian dog to keep sheep safe from big animals like bears and wolves.
- Even today, they still do this job in the Caucasus mountains in Georgia.
- Around 1920, they started guarding important places like government buildings and factories because they were so good at protecting them.
- After that, people in other countries started liking them too, such as places like Azerbaijan, Russia, Germany, Georgia, and more.
- In 1930, they went to a special dog show for the 1st time.
How the Caucasian Hunting Dog Looks?
- This big dog is often called the Gentle Giant for good reason. It looks strong and muscular, protecting animals that might hurt sheep and other animals.
- It has a face kind of like a bear, with eyes that are deep and dark like ovals. Its ears are tall and shaped like triangles, and its nose area gets smaller as it goes towards the nose, which can be black or brown.
- It is considered the biggest dog in the whole world.
- Male Ovcharka dogs can be 28 to 35 inches tall and weigh 110 to 200 pounds, while female dogs are 26 to 31 inches tall and weigh 100 to 180 pounds.
- Its thick fur helps it stay warm in really cold places.
- Around its neck, it has a thick “mane” of fur that keeps it safer if it has to fight wolves.
- Its fur is like a coat with two layers. The outside layer has long and rough hair, while the inside layer has short and smooth hair.
- These dogs can have different fur colours, like grey, fawn, brown, white, black, tan, piebald (with white marks), and brindle (with three colours).
How the Russian Bear Dog Acts?
- These dogs were made to protect sheep, so they naturally like to keep everyone safe.
- They’re strong and can protect their family from danger.
- These dogs are known for being careful around strangers and for being kind and calm with their own families.
- They might get very serious if they see something strange or if someone is not in their usual place. So, it is important to get used to different things.
- But I don’t think they’re always very active; sometimes they can be lazy.
- Even if they’re lazy, they still need walks and stuff.
- If this dog feels scared or doesn’t trust someone, it might get angry. (Remember that!)
- Although people might think bad things about this dog, I want to explain about if it’s good for families.
- This dog loves its family a lot, and it becomes more protective over time.
- If you want a dog to guard and protect, having a Russian bear dog is a good idea.
- But be careful if you have kids – these dogs are big and strong, and that might be difficult for children.
- Kids often bother pets until they react, and this dog might look serious, which could upset kids.
- Taking care of these big dogs isn’t easy. It’s better if only adults are in the family.
How the Caucasian Ovcharka Exercises and Eats?
Despite their large and intimidating appearance, Caucasian Ovcharkas (also known as Russian Bear Dogs) don’t require an excessive amount of exercise. However, consistent daily activity is essential to keep them healthy and happy. Here’s how to ensure your Ovcharka gets the right balance of exercise and nutrition:
Moderate Energy Levels: These dogs aren’t highly energetic, but they still benefit from a daily walk of about an hour. Regular walking helps maintain their physical health and provides mental stimulation.
Endurance for Long Walks: While they may not be the most energetic breed, Caucasian Ovcharkas can endure longer activities like hikes or extended walks. Their stamina allows them to accompany you on adventures that require sustained activity.
Outdoor Lovers: Ovcharkas love being outdoors, making parks and open spaces ideal for them to explore. Spending time in natural settings where they can walk, play, and enjoy fresh air benefits their well-being.
Leadership During Walks: When walking your Ovcharka, it’s important to establish yourself as the leader. Walk before your dog to reinforce your position as the pack leader and maintain control.
Caution with Puppies: Be cautious when exercising young Ovcharkas, as excessive activity can put a strain on their developing joints. Avoid overly strenuous exercise until they are fully grown to prevent potential joint issues later in life.
Engaging in Play: Caucasian Ovcharkas enjoy games like fetch or catch, which provide good exercise and strengthen their bond with you. These activities help keep them physically fit and mentally sharp.
Balanced Diet: Along with proper exercise, providing your Ovcharka with a balanced diet suited to their size and energy needs is essential. High-quality, protein-rich dog food will help maintain their muscular build, while portion control will prevent overfeeding.
By combining moderate exercise with engaging outdoor activities and a nutritious diet, you can ensure your Caucasian Ovcharka stays healthy, happy, and well-behaved
Eating Right for Your Dog:
Since this dog is big, it needs special good food made for large dogs.
How much it should eat depends on how heavy it is. Check here:
- If it’s around 100 pounds, it needs about 2000 calories a day.
- If it’s around 115 pounds, it needs about 3000 calories a day.
- If it’s around 200 pounds, it needs about 4000 calories a day.
- Feed them slowly and steadily so their bones don’t have problems later.
- They like lots of protein in their food because they’re meat-eaters.
- Give them food twice daily, in the evening and morning, to keep them strong.
- Avoid food with fake stuff and fillers because it’s bad for them.
- And remember, what kind of food to get depends on how big and how old your dog is.
Teaching and Taking Care of Your Russian Bear Dog
If you’re bringing this big dog home, you need to teach it some things. Why? Small dogs can’t make big messes, but big dogs can. So, let’s learn about Ovcharka dog training. Here we go:
- It’s not simple to train a Russian bear dog because it’s stubborn and likes to do things independently.
- Only use nice ways to train it. Being mean will make it act angry.
- Train it in an open place where it can run around.
- Start teaching this dog breed when it’s 5 to 7 months old. It gets more stubborn as it grows, so it’s harder to teach.
- Teach it confidence, kindness, and patience first. Little puppies won’t cause trouble, but grown-up ones might in new situations.
- It’s important to help it get used to other dogs and people early on. It’s not great with them, so it needs practice.
- A positive way means giving it treats and saying nice things. That way, it will know what good behaviour is.
- Train it to do things you say, like “Sit down,” “Leave it,” and “Be good.”
- To keep it clean, you must make its fluffy fur look nice and stay healthy.
Keeping Your Russian Bear Dog Clean:
- This dog has thick fur that sometimes comes off (sheds), but not too much. It sheds a lot for just two times in a year. This is when it loses all its inside fur. (This is called ‘Blowing.’)
- Whether its fur is long or short, it needs the same care because its mane is thick.
- Its fur can get tangled fast. So, brush it every day. Fur tangles don’t look good, and they can block the pup’s view.
- You should brush it for about 3 to 4 minutes each day.
- Clean its paws, ears, tummy, and back legs.
- You may take it to a special fur-cutting person (groomer) once a week or month.
- Don’t cut its fur too short, or its skin might show. The thick fur helps it handle different weather.
- Trim its nails often because they grow quickly.
- To stop ear problems, clean out earwax and dirt.
Common Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Issues
Origin and History
People might think their name is about looking like a bear, but it’s because they used to hunt bears in Russia’s Caucasus region. These dogs were originally bred to protect livestock from predators like wolves and bears.
Use in Prisons
Russian dogs even come into use in prisons to control bad people. They’re not just good guards and police dogs; they’re also great at protecting prisons in the US. Their intimidating presence and strong protective instincts make them ideal for such roles.
Reproduction
Female Russian bear dogs can have babies only once a year. This limited breeding cycle helps maintain the breed’s health and vitality.
Fur Length
They come in three fur lengths: long, medium, or short. This variety allows them to adapt to different climates and environments.
Therapy Dogs
If they’re trained well, they can even help people feel better as therapy dogs. Their calm and gentle nature makes them suitable for providing emotional support to those in need.
Historical Role
In 1989, one of them worked as a dog for patrolling near the Berlin Wall in Germany. This highlights their versatility and ability to adapt to various roles and environments.
Taking Care of a Russian Dog’s Health
General Health
Now that you know how to take care of a Russian dog, let’s learn about its health. Generally, it’s a healthy breed and can live for around 12 years. But like all puppies, it has some things that might not be so strong.
Purebred Health Issues
Sometimes, purebred dogs have health problems because they’ve been bred within their family for a long time. This can lead to inherited health issues.
Common Health Problems
Caucasian shepherd dogs might have a few health problems they can inherit, such as:
- Hip Dysplasia: A common issue where the hip joint doesn’t fit properly, leading to arthritis and pain.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, but affecting the elbow joint.
- Obesity: These dogs can easily gain weight if not properly exercised and fed a balanced diet.
- Bloat: When the stomach gets too full and twisted, it can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
- Eye Problems (Cataracts): Clouding of the eye lens, which can lead to vision impairment.
- Knee Problems (Luxating Patella): The kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal location, causing pain and mobility issues.
Preventive Measures
These dogs often have hip problems. To prevent this, ensure they exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and provide joint supplements if a veterinarian recommends. Do not let your dog jump out of the car or use stairs too much. These things can hurt its hips and joints.
SOME FAQs
What is a Russian Bear Dog?
The Russian Bear Dog, also known as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, is a large, powerful dog breed originally from the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. They were bred to guard livestock and property from predators, including bears.
What are the characteristics of a Russian Bear Dog?
Russian Bear Dogs are large, muscular dogs with thick coats that can be white, black, brown, or a combination of colours. They are known for their courage, loyalty, and protectiveness. They are also intelligent and trainable.
How big do Russian Bear Dogs get?
Male Russian Bear Dogs typically stand 26-30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 100-170 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, standing 24-28 inches tall and weighing 80-140 pounds.
