Central Asian Shepherd

The Central Asian Shepherd is a robust and hardy breed of medium-sized dog. Native to the Central Asian region, this breed is characterized by its loyalty, intelligence and courage.

General details

The weight of the males of this breed ranges from 21 to 32 kg, while the females usually weigh between 18 and 27 kg. The average height for males is 60 cm and for females 55 cm. Their life expectancy is 10 years. In addition, they belong to Group 2 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, which includes Pinscher and Schnauzer type dogs, Molossoids, mountain type dogs and Swiss Cattle Dogs.

Breed history in brief

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog breed comes from the ancient shepherd dogs that were bred in the region of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. This breed is at least a thousand years old, being formerly bred by nomadic shepherds for protection of their flocks, being one of the oldest breeds. Today, Central Asian Shepherds are known for their strong guarding instinct and loyalty to their owner.

Breed characteristics

The Central Asian Shepherd breed has a strong, robust appearance, with a broad head and well-developed jaw, triangular, drooping ears, and a tail that curls over its back. The coat of this breed is rough and dense, with a dense undercoat and a harder outer coat to protect from the cold and weather. This breed is characterized by its intelligence, resistance to training and loyalty to its owners. These dogs are excellent guardians, as they are very protective of their families. In addition, they have a great resistance to fatigue, which makes them ideal for activities such as hiking and field work.

Common health problems

The most common diseases that the Central Asian Shepherd Dog breed can suffer from are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, spinocerebellar ataxia, dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic atrophic rhinitis, primary glaucoma, epilepsy, von Willebrand's disease and pulmonary atelectasis.