Karst Shepherd
USD $800-$1000 Price Avg.
Guard Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Large
Size
11-12 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Guard Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 462 |
| Origin | Slovenia |
| Other Names | Kraški ovčar |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $800-$1000
How much does it cost to purchase a Karst Shepherd? The price of a Karst Shepherd will vary from breeder to breeder as well as from place to place. As a rough guide, you should expect to pay between $800 to $1000 per Karst Shepherd if you purchase from a reputable breeder. Prices will be higher for show-quality dogs with a distinguished pedigree. Adult dogs who have already been trained may cost even more. It is usually less expensive to adopt a Karst Shepherd through a shelter. |
| Size | Large |
| Weight | 58-88 pounds (26-40 kg) |
| Height |
Male: 22-25 inches (57-63 cm),
Female: 21-24 inches (54-60 cm) |
| Lifespan | 11-12 years |
| Recognized by |
FCI
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
| Purpose | Herding, Livestock Guardian Dog |
| Date of Origin | Ancient Times |
| Ancestry | Caucasian and Romanian Shepherd |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Dense, Double, Thick |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Grey |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Gray |
| Coat Length | Large |
| Coat Density | Dense |
| Coat Texture | Straight |
| Recommended Brushes | Comb, Nail Clipper, Pin Brush |
| Brushing Frequency | Weekly |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Brave, Brave, Courageous, Daring, Independent |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Yes |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Prefers cold weather |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Moderate |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 10 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 45 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 2.5 cups |
| Daily Cost | $1.20 - $1.40 |
| Monthly Cost | $35.00 - $45.00 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Karst Shepherd have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 3-6 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Karst Shepherd dog is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in the Karst region of Slovenia. It is a loyal and protective breed that makes an excellent guard dog. The Karst Shepherd has a strong, muscular body with a broad chest and strong legs. Its head is wedge-shaped with almond-shaped eyes, long ears, and a black nose. The coat of the Karst Shepherd is short and dense, usually gray or black in color with white markings on the chest and feet.
The lifespan of the Karst Shepherd is between 10 to 12 years, with an average size of 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 55 to 75 pounds. The colors most commonly seen are gray or black with white markings on the chest and feet.
The personality of the Karst Shepherd is one of loyalty, protectiveness, intelligence, alertness, courage, obedience, and playfulness. They are very devoted to their owners but can be wary around strangers until they get used to them. They are also very good watchdogs as they will bark when someone approaches their home or family members.
Karst Shepherds are friendly towards other dogs as well as children if they have been properly socialized from an early age. They can also be friendly towards other animals if introduced slowly but should not be left alone unsupervised due to their protective nature towards their family members.
The temperament of the Karst Shepherd is one that requires firm yet gentle training from an early age in order for them to become well-behaved adults who know how to behave around people and other animals alike. They need plenty of exercise in order for them to stay healthy both physically and mentally so it’s important for owners to provide plenty of opportunities for physical activity such as walks or runs each day along with mental stimulation through activities such as agility courses or obedience classes which will help keep them mentally stimulated too!
The health issues associated with this breed include hip dysplasia which can cause lameness in older dogs; eye problems such as cataracts; skin allergies; ear infections; bloat; hypothyroidism; epilepsy; heart disease; luxating patella (dislocation); elbow dysplasia (abnormal growth); entropion (inward rolling eyelids); progressive retinal atrophy (degeneration); Von Willebrand’s Disease (bleeding disorder). Regular vet checkups are recommended in order for any potential health issues can be caught early on before they become more serious problems later down the line!
The adaptability level of this breed varies depending on its individual personality but generally speaking it does quite well living indoors provided it gets enough exercise each day either through walks or runs outside or playing games inside such as fetching toys etc… It also does quite well living outdoors provided it has access to shelter from extreme weather conditions such as rain/snow/heat etc…
Overall this breed makes an excellent pet due its loyal nature towards its owners combined with its intelligence which allows it learn quickly when trained correctly making it easy for owners who want a smart companion who will obey commands without hesitation!
History
The Karst Shepherd is a breed of dog that is native to the Karst Plateau in Slovenia. The breed is also known as the Slovenian Mountain Dog, the Istrian Shepherd and the Croatian Shepherd. The Karst Shepherd is a large breed of dog that was used for guarding livestock and properties in the Karst Plateau. The breed was almost extinct in the early 21st century but has since been revived and is now gaining popularity in Slovenia and other parts of Europe.
The Karst Shepherd is thought to be descended from the Roman Molosser dogs that were brought to the Balkans by the Roman legions. The breed was used by shepherds in the Karst Plateau for guarding their flock from predators such as wolves and bears. The Karst Shepherd was also used as a working dog in forestry, carting and as a draft animal. In the early 20th century, many of the Slovenian Mountain Dogs were exported to other parts of Europe where they were used as working dogs on farms and estates.
The number of Karst Shepherds declined sharply during World War II when many of them were killed or died of starvation. After the war, there was a renewed interest in the breed and some effort was made to revive it. However, by the early 21st century, there were only about 200Karst Shepherds left in Slovenia and Croatia. In 2004, the Slovenian Kennel Club recognized the Karst Shepherd as a distinct breed and began working to promote it. Today, there are an estimated 1000Karst Shepherds in Slovenia and Croatia with small numbers also present in Austria, Germany and Italy.
