Were Russian Bear Dogs used to hunt bears?
According to some sources, yes. These dogs were once used to hunt bears. However, it’s not clear if this is completely true or how common this practice was.
For the most part, these dogs were used for protecting flocks of sheep against wolves and bears much like the Turkish Kangal Dog.
The History of the Russian Bear Dog
Although it is unknown exactly where these dogs came from since there are a few theories, it is known that they came from the Caucasus region which is made up of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and southeastern Russia.
These dogs were bred for their protective nature so that they could assist the shepherds with guarding the sheep. Unlike other sheepdogs, they don’t herd sheep but instead simply protect them.
The biggest threat to sheep in the Caucasus region is wolves, so the Russian Bear Dog was bred to be big enough to take on this threat. Most shepherds employed several Caucasian Mountain Dogs to work together to take on multiple wolves.
On the other hand, the shepherds needed a dog that knew the difference between an intruder and the sheep themselves. For that reason, there was also a lot of loyalty bred into them.
As these dogs were raised next to the sheep, the shepherd, and the shepherd’s family, they learned who was a friend and who was foe. After all, a dog that is just aggressive in general is not very useful.
Today, people in the Caucasus region still use the Caucasian Ovcharka to guard sheep, proving that this breed does their job well. It’s also used as a protection dog or guard dog for many other people around the world.
While some people may try to keep one as a family pet, the Russian Bear Dog does a lot better when they have a job to do, and is not one that can be handled or trained by an inexperienced owner.
If you are considering getting a Caucasian Mountain Shepherd, then it’s important that you know about the care that goes into this incredible animal.
After this section on care, there will be some frequently-asked questions about this breed that will help you understand it better and know if one will be right for you.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Russian Bear Dog
If you’re still on the fence about owning one of these beautiful creatures, hopefully, these lists of pros and cons can simplify the process for you. Be sure to add your own pros and cons in the comments.
Caucasion Shepherd Dog Breed Guide | Russian Bear Dogs 101 – Caucasion Shepherd
The Russian Bear Dog, often known as the Caucasian Shepherd or the Caucasian Mountain Dog, was originally bred to protect a flock from wolves. Therefore, these pups are known for being a predator and are sometimes controversial as pets. That being said, these gentle giants are also very loyal and devoted, protecting their flock and keeping them calm.
Because of this, these dogs do actually make great family members, but they’re a large dog with a number of requirements that you’ll need to be able to meet! Take a look below to see if one of these pups could be for you.