Introduction
The magnificent highlands of the Caucasus Mountains serve as the physical boundary between Europe and Asia. This rugged, tough landscape is home to many of the world’s oldest civilizations, deepest valleys, and the most resilient wildlife. In this dramatic landscape, one of the canines with the most powerful and ancient breeds was developed known as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, also called the Caucasian Ovcharka. Understanding the origins of this breed requires a deep dive into history. It requires tracing ancestors of dogs that existed before the written record or the modern boundaries of geography.
The Deep Ancestry: Molossers and Mastiffs
The Caucasian Shepherd belongs to the ancestral family of Molosser dogs. Canine archeologists and historians disagree over the precise origins of the breed; however, there is a consensus that it originated from the Middle East or Central Asia. A majority of experts think that the Tibetan Mastiff as well as the Caucasian Shepherd share a common family ancestor. Many thousands of years ago, as nomadic tribes made their way westward across the Asian steppes towards the Caucasus, they brought their vast flock of sassy guardians along.
Mesopotamian roots: A compelling theory suggests that the dogs are related to the earlier Molossians who came from Mesopotamia. Artifacts and carvings from the region depict huge, bear-like canines utilized to hunt big game and defend palaces. When trade routes grew, they introduced these dogs to the mountainous regions of the Caucasus.
A Landrace Born of necessity
Unlike modern breeds created through strict pedigree registries during Victorian England, the Caucasian Shepherd is an “aboriginal” or “landrace” breed. It is a breed that has evolved over the centuries naturally and has been shaped more by the surroundings than by aesthetics. The Caucasus regionâspanning modern-day Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, as well as the North Caucasus republics of Russia (such as Dagestan and Ossetia)âoffered an extremely difficult crucible for evolutionary development. Extreme temperatures from scorching summer heat in valleys to subzero snowstorms at high altitudes required a dog equipped with a robust double coat that was weatherproof.
Geography
The rugged, steep terrain demanded a dog that was robust and had a high degree of muscle strength and the endurance to last.
The Regional Varieties
As the Caucasus Mountains are vast and compartmentalized by deep valleys, various distinct breeds of Caucasian Shepherds evolved without a connection to one another. The Georgian Type: Sometimes regarded as the most massive and classic variation. Dogs that were bred in high mountains of Georgia (such as the Kazbegi region) were extraordinarily large as well as muscular and had thick long coats. They are widely regarded as the blueprint for the modern standard. The Armenian type: These dogs were slightly smaller, yet extremely quick. They had medium-length hair and were mostly solid colored.
caucasian shepherd dog history
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