The South Russian Shepherd is a medium to large sized dog with a powerful, muscular body. His coat is rich and woolly, with long hair on the head and a moderately thick tail. It is devoted to its master, wary of strangers and an excellent guard and protective dog.
General details
The South Russian Shepherd Dog is robust, weighing between 48 and 50 kilograms. The height in males is approximately 63.5 centimeters and in females 61 centimeters. Their life expectancy is 9 to 11 years. The South Russian Shepherd Dog belongs to Group 1 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes Shepherd Dogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).
Breed history in brief
The South Russian Shepherd Dog has its origins in bearded, coarse-haired dogs brought from southern Spain to the steppe regions of Russia. Over time, they were crossed with local shepherds and sighthounds. In 1898, a selection was started in the Crimea by Friedrich von Falz-Fein, who gave the dog its modern characteristics and named it "South Russian Shepherd". During this process, crosses were made with local sighthounds, which increased the height, the predominant white color and the lightness in its structure. In the 1930s, conformation characteristics were established and the breed name was officially adopted.
Breed characteristics
The South Russian Shepherd is a medium to large sized dog, with a moderately long body, strong bones and powerful muscles. The head is elongated wedge-shaped, with almond-shaped eyes of variable color, preferably dark. The ears are medium-sized, low set and hang close to the cheeks. At rest, the tail hangs downward, but when alert and moving it is carried slightly curved upward.
The breed's coat is abundant, on the head, forming eyebrows, mustache and beard, and also covering the bridge of the nose. The coat is long, slightly wavy, thick and woolly. As for color, white, white with yellowish shading, white with gray, wheaten or with pale ivory patches are acceptable.
The South Russian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog in temperament. He is devoted to his master, distrustful of strangers and possesses a strong protective instinct. His independence and courage make him an excellent watchdog and loyal companion for those who value his protective nature and devotion.
Common health problems
Information on the most common diseases in the South Russian Shepherd Dog is limited. Even so, it is likely to be predisposed to some of the most common disorders in dogs such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
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