Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Grooming Tips

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog requires very little grooming for their well-developed undercoat, but their once-a-year shedding is appropriately called the “fur storm.”Beyond intermittent grooming, the occasional bath will keep them clean and looking their best. Grooming can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your pet. Their strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Exercise Tips

Central Asian Shepherd Dogsdo best with a large yard and are suitable for familiesthat like daily walks. For safety, because they are an intelligent and independent breed, they should be kept contained when exercised, such as in a fenced yard and on-leash when being walked. Even though it is a low energy dog, he should have good endurance for walking and hiking. Some breeders encourage endurance tests.

Feeding Tips

You are going to want to feed your Central Asian Shepherd Doga formula that will cater to his unique digestive needs throughout the various phases of his life. Many dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, large and extra-large breeds. Central Asian Shepherd Dogs area large-extra-large breed.What you feed your dog is an individual choice, but working with your veterinarian and/or breeder will be the best way to determine the frequency of meals as a puppy and the best adult diet to increase his longevity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

Like all breeds, there may be some health issues. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has less inherited genetic diseases than a majority of the man-made breeds but still requires clearances of hip dysplasia to take the place of natural selection.Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to own a Central Asian Shepherd Dog can gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed. Good breeders utilize genetic testing of their breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of disease in their puppies.

Trainability

Extremely independent and intelligent, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog can prove difficult to train for obedience but not impossible. Although active while outdoors, they are usually fairly quiet in the house. Prospective owners should take note: the breed is highly protective of their family and property, so it may be difficult to bring people into your home.

Thought to be ancestors of one of the oldest breeds on the planet, there are records of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog that date back over 5000 years. They have always been highly prized for their courage, loyalty, and devotion, often having to work alongside man and other dogs in the challenging regions of Mongolia, the northwest border of China, the Urals, Asia Minor, and the Caspian Sea. In times long past, there many different varieties of Central Asian Shepherd Dogs found in the various regions of the world where they were bred. However, attempts to standardize the breed took place under the Soviet era during the 1920s.More recently, a different type of dog has appeared on the scene which is known as the Central Asian Ovcharka and although they are descendants of the original dog, there is a difference in their size, temperament and coat colors. With this said, these handsome, proud dogs are still thought to be the "purest" of all breeds having not been interfered with by man to the same extent as many other breeds that are around today.Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are still used today in the Mongolian mountains and working alongside nomads that roam the lands right through to the Kara Kum deserts and their job remains the same as it always was which is to guard the people, their animals, and livestock in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. They are often referred to as the "Wolf Crusher" or "Volkodav" because of their courage, stamina, and endurance.With more information about the Central Asian Shepherd Dog being made available to people in other parts of the world, these proud and devoted dogs are gaining popularity outside of their native lands, all thanks to their good looks and their charming, loyal natures. Although these handsome dogs are not recognized by The Kennel Club here in the UK, they are recognized by many other international breed associations.