The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a loyal, intelligent and easy to train dog that makes an excellent watchdog or family dog. Caucasian Shepherds are huge in size and extremely powerful, the breed is very reliable and has been traditionally used to guard livestock. Despite their size, the Caucasian Shepherd is a gentle and kind dog that bonds strongly with their family.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is huge, the males are noticeably larger than females and can weigh up to 100kg while the females can weigh up to 80kg. These are heavy set dogs that have massive paws and well muscled bodies. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs move with purpose and are able to cover a lot of ground with ease. The Caucasian Shepherd has a powerful, athletic build with large, broad heads and thick hair covering their face. Caucasian Shepherds have a strong jaw, a black nose and medium oval-shaped eyes that are brown and set deeply underneath their brow. Their triangular shaped ears are set high and hang down.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is well proportioned with a deep chest, a strong back and well muscled legs. The breed has a slightly tucked belly which is something that gives this large dog a more athletic appearance. Something Caucasians are known for is their huge oval paws that are covered in hair. These dogs also carry their tails down when relaxed and higher when excited.
Caucasian Shepherds have a thick double coat with a long outer coat and a dense soft undercoat. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog comes in a range of colours including white, grey, rust, cream, fawn, black, black and grey, white with grey, piebald with grey, brindle with grey, white cream fawn or agouti grey. Caucasians also have a dark mask on their face which adds to their charm.
How big do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs get?
Height - Males: 70 - 90cm, Females: 65 - 75cm
Weight - Males: 55 - 100kg, Females: 55 - 80kg
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are high energy, intelligent dogs that can be strong willed and stubborn at times. Caucasians are easy to train but due to their size they require a lot of training and socialisation to make them manageable. Caucasian Shepherd puppies are very playful and love to play interactive games such as fetch. In a home environment the Caucasian is loving and gentle. As the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is traditionally a watchdog, they are naturally alert and can be territorial but are dependable guard dogs. This breed needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy so they are not dogs that are happy to spend the day chilling out on the sofa.
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs intelligent? Yes
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs affectionate? Yes
Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy levels
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs loyal? Yes
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs playful? Yes, especially as puppies
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs aggressive? No
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs easy to train? Yes
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good guard dogs? Yes, guarding comes naturally to these dogs
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is social but on their terms. If they have been socialised as puppies then they will get along with other dogs but it’s important to take care because Caucasian Shepherds have been known to be intolerant of dogs they don’t know. This breed will get along with other pets they have grown up with but they do have a high prey drive so they are likely to chase unfamiliar animals. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is gentle and is good around children in the family, they can be overprotective so it’s important to supervise them and not let unfamiliar people around your dog. As any good guard dog is, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is suspicious of strangers.
Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs get along with other pets? Yes, if they have grown up together
Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs get along with other dogs? Sometimes, they can be impatient with other dogs
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good with kids? Yes, but they can be over protective
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good with strangers? No
This Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a huge dog that needs enough space to properly express themselves. This means Caucasians are not suitable for living in apartments as they need lots of space and need access to a secure garden where they can spend time roaming and playing off lead. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are best suited to a rural environment where they have more space and it is quieter. Unlike many dog breeds, Caucasian Shepherds are independent and don’t mind being left alone for short periods of time. Due to the large size and specific handling and training needs of the Caucasian Shepherd this is not a suitable breed for first time owners, without experienced owners this dog can become overly protective, dominant and difficult to handle.
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good for first-time owners? No, these huge dogs need to be handled and trained by experienced owners
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs hypoallergenic? No
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs prone to drooling? Yes
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs a good breed for apartment living? No
Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed a lot? Yes
Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark a lot? Yes
Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs be left alone at home? Yes
Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs handle the heat? Yes
Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs sensitive to loud noises? No
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have an average lifespan of 10 - 12 years. They are healthy overall but they are prone to a few health issues including:
Hip dysplasia - This is a painful condition that is often seen in large dog breeds. It is caused by the hip joints developing abnormally and this can lead to pain, swelling and arthritis. Treatment options include medication, exercise management and surgery.
Heart Problems - Heart problems can cause low energy, breathlessness, coughing and sometimes collapse in dogs. The treatment will depend on the specific heart problem but monitoring, medication and surgery are potential options.
Cataracts - This is the abnormal clouding of the eye which impacts a dog’s vision. Cataracts can be removed if necessary but many dogs can live with cataracts without a problem.
Obesity - These dogs are more prone to obesity which means they need to have their diet and exercise carefully controlled. Obesity comes with a long list of health risks so it is important to keep dogs at a healthy weight.
Bloat - This is a medical emergency so if you notice your dog’s belly is swollen call a vet immediately. You can help prevent bloat by feeding your dog smaller portions and not exercising your dog immediately before or after they have eaten.
How long do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs live? 10 - 12 years
The Caucasian Shepherd is a breed that needs to spend most of the day outside. Caucasians have a lot of energy so need at least 90 minutes of exercise each day. In addition to long walks and hikes, these dogs also enjoy lots of interactive play such as fetch and playing with frisbees. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs also need access to a large garden but it is extremely important the garden is securely fenced as these huge dogs will easily escape if they find a weakness in the fence. Caucasian Shepherds take a few years to fully mature so it is important they aren’t over-exercised when they are not yet fully grown.
How much exercise does a Caucasian Shepherd Dog need? At least 90 minutes per day
Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like water play? Yes, they like water and enjoy swimming
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a massive dog with a big appetite. As Caucasian Shepherds are prone to bloat they need to be fed meals in smaller portions rather than one big meal. As Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are so large they also benefit from a stand that you can place their food bowl on so they don’t have to stretch down to eat their food. As a rough guide, a Caucasian Shepherd puppy needs between 300 - 1100g of high quality dry food each day. This is such a broad scale because the puppy’s age and build is vital in determining how much food they need. As this is a rough estimate and each dog is different it is important to have a personal dietary plan made.
Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs prone to weight gain? Yes
How much should I feed a Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy? Between 300 - 1100g of high quality dry food per day depending on the puppy’s age and build
How much should I feed an adult Caucasian Shepherd Dog? Between 400 - 830g of high quality dry food per day depending on the dog’s weight and activity level
Grooming: Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are high maintenance as they have double coats that shed year round, with profuse shedding twice a year. Caucasian Shepherds need to be brushed daily not only to stay on top of their shedding but also to prevent knots. It’s also necessary to check and clean the Caucasians ears and teeth regularly. They also need to have their nails trimmed occasionally.
Emotional Care: the Caucasian breed is intelligent, strong and high energy. Caucasian Shepherds need lots of exercise to keep them happy and to prevent obesity. This means the breed is well suited to endurance activities like hiking. Caucasian Shepherds need strong leadership and plenty of training as otherwise they can become unmanageable. If the Caucasian Shepherd Dog doesn’t get enough training, socialisation and exercise they will become frustrated, unmanageable and potentially aggressive.
History of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Although the history of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is largely unknown they are known to be descendants of ancient breeds. Caucasian Shepherds are believed to be originally from Tibet where they were then introduced to the Caucasus region. This Shepherd Dog has been used for guard flocks against predators for centuries in areas including Northern Caucasus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan and Astrakhan.
In their native lands, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is highly prized as a guard dog and watchdog. These days Caucasian Shepherds are mostly watchdogs and companion dogs. There are a number of different varieties of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs in their home lands including a mountain type that is heavier and long-coated and a steppe type that is lighter with a shorter coat.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is still relatively unknown in the rest of the world but they are becoming more known thanks to more Caucasian Dogs appearing on the internet. With that said, there are still very few of these dogs in the UK.
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is one of the largest dogs in the world
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are natural guard dogs
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is an ancient breed
This breed is fearless and is able to stands their ground against predators
If you are ready to bring a new dog into your home, take a look at our buying guide for information on finding and buying a puppy and how to avoid scams. Unfortunately there are many scams and bad breeding practices to be aware of. All of the breeders at Puppies have been vetted to ensure they are responsible. Take a look at our Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy page to find available dogs in your area.
How much does a Caucasian Shepherd Dog cost to buy? £1000 - £2000
How much does a Caucasian Shepherd Dog cost to feed? £70 per month
How much does insurance for a Caucasian Shepherd Dog cost? £40 per month
Another option is to adopt a Caucasian Shepherd Dog. The associations below can help with this:
Speak to the German Shepherd Dog Rescue about rehoming a Caucasian Shepherd Dog
