1) CAUCASIAN OVCHARKA (Kavkaz)
The Caucasian Ovcharka (Shepherd Dog) is considered to be the breed taking its origin from ancient Caucasian dogs. The evolution of the breed was not only a result of natural selection but also influenced by nations that inhabited the Caucasian Region. Historically Caucasian Shepherd dogs were used for guarding and safe-keeping of herds, flocks and dwellings from be
asts of prey and predators. The first mention of a large molossoid dogs used by the army of Armenian Tsar Tigran the II dates from the 1st century BC. Selection work with the breed started in the USSR in the 1920s. Obligatory qualities such as physical power, self-confidence, fearlessness, sharply developed hearing, good sight, and a dense and waterproof coat have been cultivated in the process of selection. All these qualities as well as endurance allows people to use the Caucasian Shepherd Dogs in all kinds of climatic condition including the most severe ones. Best Caucasian Ovcharka is Georgian mountain dog called Nagazi. The Georgian Nagazi is tall, athletic and multicoloured. Another type of Georgian Nagazi, known as Tushetian Nagazi or Georgian Caucasian Sheepdog, which represents the original population of the breed, with the pure white dogs being the most valued. The Armenian dogs are divided into the large, longhaired and often multicoloured type and the slightly smaller wolf-grey dogs of medium-length coat with longer muzzles. Daghestan dogs are tall, wide-headed and athletic, short-haired and multicoloured. Astrakhan type is found in the Kabardino-Balkarian region and is believed to be a cross between the Russian show type and the old Circassian and Georgian mountain dog's, but Balkarian Molossers are also rooted in the Sarmatian Mastiff. The Turkish Caucasus dogs are divided into four types, those being the Garban, the Georgian Akhaltsikhe type, the Circassian variant and the Kars Dog. The large, short-muzzled, shorthaired fawn, brown, red, with or without white markings and extremely vicious Garban (Gorban) was developed from the Kars and the Kangal, as well as other Turkish dogs being crossed with the Armenian and Georgian types. The Georgian Akhaltsihnske type was created from Garban crosses with the Georgian Nagazi variant and gomik turkey,resulting in longhaired, lightly built solid-coloured white, fawn and grey dogs. The Circassian variant is believed to be a result of crossing the Kangals with the Cherkes dogs introduced to Turkey after the Russian-Circassian wars. The Kars Dog is a variety closely associated with the Kars Province of modern Turkey and is today seen as a separate breed. The Armenian Gamprs are smaller than the Georgian dogs and are shorter-necked and squarely built, and come in a variety of colors. The Volkodav variant also comes in two types, with the longhaired mountain and short-coated steppe dogs both being smaller than Georgian and Armenian types, always having black masks. A result of matings between the dogs of southern Kavkaz with the Sage Mazandarani and the Kars Dog of Turkey, the Iranian Sage Ghafghazi is a lean, powerful and richly coated mastiff, used as a caravan protector of the Shahsavan nomads, who have been breeding it since the 17th century. These Iranian Caucasians come in a variety of colours, both solid and bicoloured. There is also a rare shorthaired Kavkaz mastiff, known as the North-Caucasian Volkodav, which is on its way to receive a separate breed recognition. Even the legendary Alaunt, the breed considered to be the key progenitor of all bulldog breeds, is also descended from this Caucasian stock of mountain dogs.
2) CENTRAL ASIAN OVCHARK (Alabai)
The Central Asian Ovcharka (Shepherd Dog) is one of the the oldest dog breeds in the world. According to historical findings, it appears to have remained unchanged for about 4000 years. Russia is recognised as the country of origin for the Central Asian Ovcharka, thus the Russian name "Ovcharka" which ranslates from Russian as "Shepherd's dog". However it would be more correct to specify that in fact this dog is native to quite a number of countries. Some of those countries were part of the former USSR at the time the native dog populations of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tadjikistan were first researched and described by Russian scientists and the first ever standard for the breed was developed. The official standard (FCI #335) covers a large group of molosser type dogs with common roots, native to and widely distributed in the Asian part of the former USSR and Middle East since approximately 2000bc. This dog carried the characteristics of the ancient mastiff through at least 3000 years of its existence in a semi-primitive state, practically unnoticed by kynological enthusiasts until the end of the 19th century. The territory of Middle Asia includes many countries, some of which consist mostly of deserts and/or steppes, and others - of high mountains. It is very diverse not only in climate and landscapes but also in the cultures of the native peoples inhabiting it. But what has always been, and still is, common between all these regions is the extreme living conditions for both human and dog, constant struggle for food, harsh cold winters, very hot and dry summers and an abundance of both large and small predators, always requiring the highest level of performance from livestock guardian dogs. During wars, revolutions and government changes, these dogs kept doing their jobs - guarding flocks from predators and houses from thieves, and following caravans along the trade routes. Unlike many other old breeds, that have been lost somewhere along the history path when their services were no longer required by men, these dogs have never been out of a job: at all times big ferocious dogs were considered an important asset by every proprietor, no matter what his possessions were — huge flocks of sheep, or just a small house, or a beautiful daughter. This is probably why time made almost no impact on the appearance and temperament of these dogs. Instead, generation after generation, century by century, they’ve been slowly and thoroughly polished by mother nature with little help from man, for the skills needed to survive and for doing their job: outstanding intellect, combined with highly instinctive and intuitive behaviour, enormous physical strength and size, adaptability, hardiness and a very stable nervous system. Over the centuries, native dogs of Middle Asia formed large, rather homogeneous populations, characterised by very distinctive and consistently inherited features, which now allow us to call them a breed. Today Central Asian Ovcharka is still a rare breed but over the last 20 years has gained enormous popularity in the world and its country of origin - Russia, where it was named the most popular breed in 2003. This breed's physical and mental soundness make it a truly versatile breed, highly adaptable to many conditions and lifestyles and successful in different fields. CAO's roles in the modern world include police and military work, personal protection, country property and livestock guarding, family companionship, sport, hunting and, of course, Show career.
