Dog Breed
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
GiantFarmhand
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- Full Name
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Alternate Names
- Central Asian Sheepdog, Middle Asian Ovcharka, Turkmen Alabai, Aziat, and Volkadov
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 12 - 14 years
- Weight
- 88 - 100 pounds
- Description
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is an ancient dog breed, and some even say that they are the oldest known dog breed. Unlike many breeds today, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog was not man-made based on traits, or for any particular service to man. Rather, they evolved by the climate and other factors over 5000 years ago.
With this sort of history comes confidence, independence, and a territorial and loyal demeanor. They are very calm and quiet until they have to protect their family and loved ones. If they are well trained and socialized they can be excellent farmhands or guard dogs.- Origin
- RussiaMongolia
- Bred For
- Guarding sheep and goat herds, as well as to protect and for guard duty
- Attachments
- FCI Breed Standard
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
4/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog good with children?
Yes, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Central Asian Shepherd Dog naturally loves children.
Stranger Friendly
1/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog friendly with strangers?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is not naturally friendly with strangers. Dogs who are timid or defensive with strangers have typically been bred that way, and it is not always a fault.
Dog Friendly
3/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog friendly with other dogs?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
Likes to Cuddle
2/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog like to cuddle?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is not a cuddle bug, but it can still appreciate affection. It just has different boundaries with physical affection.
Playfulness
2/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog like to play?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is playful as a puppy, but not as much as they become older. They still appreciate the attention and love but are not as playful as other breeds when they are adults.
Service Dog Ability
2/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog make a good service dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
Ease for Novice
1/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog good for first-time owners?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog would not be a good fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and pleasing its owner.
Training Potential
2/5
How well can the Central Asian Shepherd Dog be trained?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog does not have high levels of training potential. There are exceptions, but the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is not typically seen in competitions or as a service dog or police dog.
Amount of Shedding
4/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog shed a lot?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
Ease of Grooming
4/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog easy to groom?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Central Asian Shepherd Dog to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
Exercise Need
4/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog need a lot of exercise?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
Intelligence
4/5
How smart is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog bark? Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog bark too much?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Central Asian Shepherd Dogs - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
5/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog a good guard dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
Tolerates Being Alone
5/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog good at staying alone? Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog independent?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is very independent, and an excellent choice for someone who will not have the time to always be with their dog. This can be beneficial for a working dog on the farm, or even just a family that works the 9-5 and cannot work from home.
Good for Apartment Living
1/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog a good apartment dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is a very bad fit for apartment living and we would not recommend it.
Size
5/5
How big is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. In the "giant" category!
Tolerates Heat
3/5
How much does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Central Asian Shepherd Dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
Tolerates Cold
5/5
How much does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Central Asian Shepherd Dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
Potential to Run Away
2/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog try to run away?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
General Health
5/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog a healthy dog? The health of a Central Asian Shepherd Dog should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is one of the healthiest breeds. Exercise and a high-quality diet are still high priorities, but overall the Central Asian Shepherd Dog has excellent health.
Energy Level
2/5
How energetic is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Central Asian Shepherd Dog has less energy than average.
Amount of Drooling
5/5
How much does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog drool?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is one of the dog breeds that drools the most. It may not be the most important factor, but something to consider if you live in a home where that may bother you.
Prey Drive
4/5
Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog have a large prey drive? Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Central Asian Shepherd Dog may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
Athleticism
2/5
Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog atheltic?
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.
1 of 5
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Breed Variations
White
Fawn
Black
Brindle
Gray
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Dog- Working
- Shepherd / Sheepdog
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is a purebred dog that belongs to the Shepherd / Sheepdog sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds.
Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Shepherd / Sheepdog sub-group: Shepherd dogs are the super performers of the dog world. For many generations they have served their owners by performing their job of helping in the farm- guarding, protecting, and herding. Shepherds were bred based off intelligence and temperament, and willingness to serve their families. Today they are excellent family dogs, but also excel as military service animals, emotional therapy dogs, and in competitive obedience competitions.
They are highly trainable and intelligent, but that does not necessarily mean they are an easy dog or optimal for first time owners. With this potential comes greater responsibility from the owner. They need a firm owner who is willing to stimulate them both physically and mentally from an early age. They need a leader. If they have one, you will be rewarded with one of the friendliest and most intelligent dogs in the World.
Central Asian Shepherd Dogs for sale or adoption
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