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The Kraški ovcar (Karst Shepherd Dog) is a breed of dog of the livestock guardian type, originating in Slovenia. The breed is recognised under sponsorship from Slovenia by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale with the name Kraški ovcar. The many ways of writing the name in English may imply that there are many breeds, but there is only one.
Appearance
The Kraški ovcar (Karst Shepherd Dog) is a large dog with long, thick, shaggy iron grey coat. Ears are drop and the tail is held low, and there is a dark mask on the face.
Height at the withers for dogs is 57 to 63 cms with an ideal size of 60 cms (23.6 ins), and weight is 30 to 42 kgs (66 to 92.4 lbs). Females are 54 to 60 cms with an ideal size of 57 cms (22.4 ins), and a weight of 25 to 37 kg (55 to 81.4 lbs).
Temperament
The breed standard describes the dog as having a sharp temperament and strong individuality, distrustful of strangers. A good guard dog. Like all large dogs, the Kraški ovcar needs to be well socialized while very young, with people if the dog is to be a companion, and with livestock if the dog is to be a guardian. If the breed's background is taken into consideration, and if the dog is well socialized and trained, he may make a good family dog. Temperament of individual dogs may vary.
History
The Kraški ovcar (Karst Shepherd Dog) is named after an area of karst (kras in Slovenian) landscape in Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and partly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gulf of Trieste to the Dinaric Alps. Mostly breed in the Republic of Slovenia and Istria in Croatia. The ancestral type of the modern day breed travelled with shepherds through this area, and most likely came with ancient nomadic pastoralists. In 1689 the Baron Janez Vajkard Valvasor mentioned the shepherd's dogs of the area in his writing about Slovenia. In the 20th century, when the landrace shepherd dogs began to be documented as a modern breed, it was first referred to as the Illyrian Shepherd (1939); but in 1956 the Illyrian Shepherd became two breeds, the Kraški ovcar and the Šarplaninac.
The breed is recognised by the Slovenian Kennel Club as a Slovene Natural Treasure and the oldest indigenous breed. The [Fédération Cynologique Internationale] recognises the breed in Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds-Mountain type, number 278. The breed has also been exported to the United States, where it is recognised by The United Kennel Club in the Guardian Dog Group. The breed is also recognised by various minor kennel clubs and internet-based dog registry businesses, and is promoted as a rare breed for those seeking a unique pet.
Health
If bred to be very oversize, hip dysplasia may be a problem.
Appearance
The Kraški ovcar (Karst Shepherd Dog) is a large dog with long, thick, shaggy iron grey coat. Ears are drop and the tail is held low, and there is a dark mask on the face.
Height at the withers for dogs is 57 to 63 cms with an ideal size of 60 cms (23.6 ins), and weight is 30 to 42 kgs (66 to 92.4 lbs). Females are 54 to 60 cms with an ideal size of 57 cms (22.4 ins), and a weight of 25 to 37 kg (55 to 81.4 lbs).
Temperament
The breed standard describes the dog as having a sharp temperament and strong individuality, distrustful of strangers. A good guard dog. Like all large dogs, the Kraški ovcar needs to be well socialized while very young, with people if the dog is to be a companion, and with livestock if the dog is to be a guardian. If the breed's background is taken into consideration, and if the dog is well socialized and trained, he may make a good family dog. Temperament of individual dogs may vary.
History
The Kraški ovcar (Karst Shepherd Dog) is named after an area of karst (kras in Slovenian) landscape in Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and partly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gulf of Trieste to the Dinaric Alps. Mostly breed in the Republic of Slovenia and Istria in Croatia. The ancestral type of the modern day breed travelled with shepherds through this area, and most likely came with ancient nomadic pastoralists. In 1689 the Baron Janez Vajkard Valvasor mentioned the shepherd's dogs of the area in his writing about Slovenia. In the 20th century, when the landrace shepherd dogs began to be documented as a modern breed, it was first referred to as the Illyrian Shepherd (1939); but in 1956 the Illyrian Shepherd became two breeds, the Kraški ovcar and the Šarplaninac.
The breed is recognised by the Slovenian Kennel Club as a Slovene Natural Treasure and the oldest indigenous breed. The [Fédération Cynologique Internationale] recognises the breed in Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds-Mountain type, number 278. The breed has also been exported to the United States, where it is recognised by The United Kennel Club in the Guardian Dog Group. The breed is also recognised by various minor kennel clubs and internet-based dog registry businesses, and is promoted as a rare breed for those seeking a unique pet.
Health
If bred to be very oversize, hip dysplasia may be a problem.
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