The name Caucasian Mountain Dog was referenced as early as 1913 in Study about the dogs of the Caucasus by Prof. Dr. Conrad Keller.
The Caucasian Mountain Dog aka Caucasian Ovcharka, originates from the finger of land that lies between the Black Sea and Caspian. Several independent republics are situated in this area: Georgian Republic, Azerbaijan, Daghastan, Armenia.
The area where the Caucasian dog originates is collectively referred to geographically as the CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS.
The word "Ovcharka" is meaningless in English. Moreover, the word "Ovcharka" is a Russian word of slavic origin, not found in the native languages of the people of the Caucasus. If the native Caucasus people don't refer to their own breed as an "Ovcharka" why should we? Translated to English, the word Ovcharka does not have an exact translation, but means shepherd or Sheepdog. "Caucasian Sheepdog" or "Caucasian Shepherd" in English can be confusing for the consumer, as they can expect the dog to have behavior like other dogs that are Sheepdogs (Old English) or Shepherds (German Shepherd Dog).
The breed is accepted by the FCI as an "Ovcharka" but the United States is not an FCI country.
Although some Americans prefer to use the word "Ovcharka", and their decision to do so is respected, when the parent Club for the breed in the US (since 1991), the COCA, applied to the United Kennel Club (UKC), the largest working dog registry in the world, we presented the above information and asked the breed to be accepted as the Caucasian Mountain Dog on the basis of the important consumer issues listed. Also, the Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) Club of America (formerly Caucasian Ovcharka Club of America), US Breed Founders For Preservation, Est. 1991 (COCA) added "Mountain Dog" to the Club name.
The native people have been very supportive of breed reference as the "Caucasian Mountain Dog" (reference Caucasian Mountain Dog News archives from native people thankful for not calling them "Ovcharka", a word not recognized in their language).
The name "Mountain Dog" shared by several livestock guardian breeds, namely, the Estela Mountain Dog, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog aka Great Pyrenees, and the Tatra Mountain Dog aka Tatra Mountain Sheepdog or Owczarek Podhalanski.
For comprehensive information about the Caucasian Mountain Dog, aka Caucasian
Ovcharka please see: http://www.flockguard.org/caucasian.htm
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Read more about the the wonderful United Kennel Club at:http://www.ukcdogs.com
an organization promoting the "Total Dog", working and conformation.
-stacey kubyn
http://www.esquirecaucasians.com
(c) 1999 Stacey Kubyn All Rights Reserved
http://www.ovcharka.org/discus/messages/9/61.html?1136852828
Distinguishing the Caucasian from the Central Asian
by Stacey Kubyn, Esquire Caucasians
(c) 1998-1999 Stacey Kubyn All Rights Reserved
Source: Native Service Breeds by Kalinin
Kalinin states that the expertise of the Caucasian is "very complicated, expecially for the beginner".
Similarities are discussed and include: Similar natural environment of continental climate, large day and night temperature differences, meager food and limited water. Both used with sheep herds, in small groups, living in packs. Both also used as village guardians. Both descendants of Asian dogs, large, well-built, slightly elongated, with well defined and strong musculature.
Additional similarities include: wide body and anatomically similar limbs, strong and muscular shoulders, slightly straightened shoulder joints, short massive wrists. Hind limbs with muscular wide thighs, short rear pasterns, straightened hocks, and strong feet. Hind limbs are not extended backward.
Most desirable Caucasian is based on Georgian type, and the Central Asian on the Turkemenian type, therefore these distinctions are described.
Temperament and Behavior
Caucasian is more ACTIVE and AGGRESSIVE in behavior. More explosive than the Central Asian.
Tail and movement as indicative of temperament
Caucasian tail is lifted above line of the back. Central Asian tail carried lower, when relaxed, covering anus, indicating well balanced. If a Central Asian's tail is constantly elevated, it indicates excessively active, unbalanced behavior, and loss of energy.
Head structure
Caucasian head from top view looks like dull wedge, wide at the base, slightly convex high forehead, high set short cut ears. Inside edges of the ears crown the outline of the head. Outside edge of the ear not below the eye level. Width of head equal to length. Pronounced jaw. Offstanding "sideburns" of fur accentuate width of head. The stop is not abrupt. Relatively short face (2-3 cm shorter than half the head), massive, narrowing to nose. Dull shape of face, flews thick, jaw powerful. Width of lower jaw accentuated by wide line of incisors, with very large long fangs. Tip of muzzle not large. Side view also looks like wedge due to high forehead. Massive head.
Middle Asian head also massive, is longer and more oblong. Wide forehead, well developed jaws that dont protrude strongly but smoothly come to a massive slightly elongated face. Wide muzzle well filled at eye sockets. Side view more rectangular and lower at the skull than that of the Caucasian. The line of the head parallel to jawline. Stop is inconspicuous.
Eyes
Wide and deep, medium size and dark in both breeds. Caucasian eyes are slanted or set oblique while the Middle Asian eyes are straight.
Middle Asian has a gloomy and heavy look, seemingly looking from under a forehead, not moving the head, just the eyes. Caucasian has more open straight look.
Coat
Both have double coat. Caucasian coat is very thick, with dense undercoat of medium length, offstanding, giving bear appearance. Brown color(chocolate to light beige) an imperfection.
Middle Asian typically black and yellowish which is not the Caucasian property. Brown acceptable. Coat is shorter than long coated Caucasian, but longer than short coated Caucasian. Main coat less offstanding and just slightly longer than undercoat.
(c) 1998-1999 Stacey Kubyn All Rights Reserved
