raising a karakachan

The Karakachan was officially recognised as a Bulgarian native breed in 2005. It is one of Europe’s oldest breeds of dogs, created for guarding its owner’s flocks and property. People can choose from 5 male puppies and whichever is left, thats … Kalina is doing a great job with her goats and is great around our poultry as well. The supercilliary arches are only slightly developed. In 2007, we had the privilege of adding Karakachan Livestock Guarding Dogs to our farm. Average height and weight for males: 26-30 inches (65-75 cm.) The breed has Certificate for recognition no. Chest: Deep and broad but not barrel-shaped. Due to their conservative stock-breeding traditions, they managed to preserve some of the oldest breeds of domestic animals in Europe – the Karakachan sheep, the Karakachan horse, and, of course, the Karakachan … Subject. We specialize in raising rare and exotic animals. Description. Ears: Rather small, low set, V-shaped, pendant, close-fitting to the skull. The Karakachans (as they are called in Bulgaria), Sărăceni (as they are called in Romania), or Sarakatsani (as they call themselves) are a population of ethnically Greek nomads that have lived throughout the Balkan peninsula, but today have largely assimilated into local populations. Our young children often help us with the goats and sheep, but the dogs are always friendly and very tolerant. another Karakachan and start our breeding program. Re: Trade 1 LGD Pup GreatPYR x Karakachan-for 1 Freshener GO Oh, and I forgot to add: All Females and one male are spoken for. We hope to help preserve the Karakachan dogs in the true Bulgarian fashion. Native to Bulgaria, it is difficult to trace their exact origin as they are truly an ancient breed, but it is widely believed that they originated from Central Asian herding dogs. Home Forums > Classifieds Marketplace > Other Animals For Sale > Washington Karakachan Puppies! To its credit, the Karakachan dog has been both historically and traditionally the only effective and most suitable protection against flock predators. The axes of the muzzle and the cranial region are parallel. They bond strongly with their flock and will not hesitate to defend them from threats. Preferred movement is the springy trot. Karakachans are more than guardians. We have 5 boys left. Western Outlaw Ranch is family-owned and operated. Check out my adventures in raising my puppy to learn what to expect. 42 teeth – 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. She has been found combing the long-hair of Grass Dancer (a myotonic buck), and even holding a sapling down with her paws for her goats to eat the choice leaves. Myotonics) from coyotes, dogs and other predators roaming our mountains. The Karakachan is a breed of dog that originated in Bulgaria as a mountain livestock guardian dog. No pendant folds apart from a slight dewlap along the ventral part of the neck. They will need to be brushed a few times per week to prevent matting or debris build up in their coat. Deep gratitude is felt to Atila, Sider, and Elena Sedefchevi, and the International Karakachan Dog Association, in … The trends in breeding these dogs are to produce offspring less aggressive towards people.[6]. Description: The Karakachan is a giant purebred known for being aggressive, alert, cheerful, courageous, detached, independent, intelligent, loyal, and social. The dog is a high shedder though it doesn’t require much attention to be paid to its grooming. My advice, read as much as you can and select what works best for your farm. Discussion in 'Precious Protectors' started by motdaugrnds, Apr 21, 2013. The coat on tail is long and rough. Pastern: Slightly sloping. May 27, 2020 - As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. The Karakachan is a vigilant, independent breed, who is well-suited for protecting livestock. The Karakachan is a large dog with males standing at anything between 26 and 30 inches at the shoulder. We can hear the coyotes calling from the fields at night, but once the dogs bark in return, the calls of the coyotes fade away. Jennifer is a full-time homesteader who started her journey in the foothills of North Carolina in 2010. Explore. Karakachan. Being a part of the Molossoides group, they served as an excellent guard dog, not hesitating to the slightest bit while fighting bears and wolve… Thick, elastic and closely fitting. Check out my adventures in raising my puppy to learn what to expect. They’re not known to roam, but do establish a defined territory and won’t leave their fields willingly. [1] The dog is named after the Karakachans, Greek nomadic shepherds.Due to their … They began to become endangered in Bulgaria around 1957, as the communist government “nationalized” farms and private livestock, leaving these dogs to roam free, becoming useless. Add to Favorites . It has a typical deep solid bark. Their female counterparts are just a couple of inches shorter. As Paula would say, "There are very few failed livestock guardian dogs but many failed livestock guardian dog owners". In repose it hangs low or the tip is curved. Their unmatched qualities as LGDs are legendary in Bulgarian folklore, which cites some shepherds having run 12,000 sheep in a single flock, using 100 dogs for its protection. Sep 28, 2015 - Explore Sherry Hows's board "Karakachan" on Pinterest. There is another reason for the lack of accidents: the tradition of guarding livestock with big, aggressive dogs has always existed in Bulgaria. Most desired are clearly defined dark spots on white or big white spots on dark. Karakachans were also used in the Bulgarian army up until WW II. Reading Time: 5 minutes By Cindy Kolb – The Karakachan livestock guardian dog is an LGD breed that has been used for centuries as an integral part of the life of the nomadic shepherds of Bulgaria, where the breed originated.It is one of Europe’s oldest breeds of dogs, created for guarding its owner’s flocks and property. Their gait is a springy trot, similar to the movement of a wolf. The Karakachan breed will require quite a bit of grooming. However, when a flock is passing through a village the dogs walk calmly without paying attention to people. Having derived its name from the Karkachans, the nomadic shepherds of the Balkan region, these dogs are said to be descendants of the canine breeds of Central Asia particularly Iran and Afghanistan. The dog is named after the Karakachans. The Karakachan dog is a large molosser-type dog that typically stands over two feet tall and weighs in the range of a hundred or so pounds. Broad and strong. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. May 7, 2014 - Considering a livestock guardian dog? The "Karakachan" is a breed of dog that originated in Bulgaria as a mountain livestock guardian dog. A small number were saved by a few farmers. These attacks are carried out mainly at night and for this reason, the shepherds wanted dogs that had white … Pronounced above the upper line. We no longer have problems with roaming dogs and coyotes. They are generally as long as they are tall and they have broad, straight backs, deep chests, and well-furred tails that are typically low-set, although the tails of Karakachan puppies often curl up over their backs. ); weight, 88-125 lbs. We have no preference which one we will keep. undershot, with gap between the incisors of more than 3 mm. One time they alerted us when a goat fainted and fell down, jamming his horn into the ground, unable to break free. For information on raising these beautiful dogs, take a look at this article! © 2020, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Trials In Croppy Country, Getting Into The Game. In the past, we could not successfully raise sheep or goats due to attacks from local dogs—a situation many farmers have experienced. She’s mixed breed, but she mostly looks like a karakachan dog. Expression is grim, confident, intelligent and firm. It is with this name that the Karakachan dog appears in the works of some of the classics of Bulgarian literature, namely Yordan Yovkov, Georgi Raitchev and Yordan Radichkov. It’s been our experience that these dogs bond quickly with the animals they are guarding. Nose leather: Large and well-pigmented. Due to their conservative stock-breeding traditions, they managed to preserve some of the oldest breeds of domestic animals in Europe – the Karakachan sheep, the Karakachan horse, and, of course, the Karakachan dog. Jennifer is an avid canner who provides almost all food for her family needs. Karakachans defend pets, guard the farm, and look after their owner’s family’s safety. Its ancestors started forming as early as the third millennium BC. They really are the best farm dogs for protecting livestock. 5:58. See more ideas about Dogs, Livestock guardian dog, Livestock guardian. They shed their coats naturally in summer. See more ideas about Livestock guardian dog, Livestock guardian, Dog breeds. In the past, this dog was widely used in Bulgaria as a border army watchdog. In 2007, we had the privilege of adding Karakachan Livestock Guarding Dogs to our farm. Raising livestock in the middle of predator territory is a tricky business indeed. It is important to monitor his weight carefully, as the puppy will have a tendency to overeat and become overweight. More information Raising A LGD -- The First Year | January 5th marked one year since Mindy, our Great Pyrenees/Karakachan dog, came to live with us at Hickory Cove Farm. The upper lip covers the lower. Other Names. Due to their conservative stock-breeding traditions, they have preserved some of the oldest breeds of domestic animals in Europe: the Karakachan sheep, Karakachan … The topcoat is straight and stiff. #Karakachan #pets #dogs The dogs are effective at flock protection against predation and theft. Their female counterparts are just a couple of inches shorter. Behaviour / temperament: proud, domineering, wary to strangers, brave and intelligent dog of tough, steady and independent character. Shoulders and upper arm: Long and broad. The head is broad and massive with a short, powerful neck. It accepts the flock as its territory, wherever it is. Cranial region: The skull is broad and massive; the upper profile is slightly rounded with a shallow furrow on the forehead; the occipital bone is slightly pronounced. The Goat Spot - Your Goat Raising & Owning Headquarters. Get In Touch. Reaching deep at least to the points of elbow. When they perceive a threat to its charges, it will chase away the predator but doesn’t abandon the animals in its care. Syncope Falls—our farm, located in the Appalachian mountains of Southwest Virginia—is proudly preserving the Karakachan breed, also known as the Bulgarian Shepherd dog. It is related to the livestock guardian dogs of the surrounding countries: Romania to the north, Macedonia and Serbia to the west, and Greece and Turkey to the south. The Karakachan dog, is a breed that originated in Bulgaria. Such an alert can consist of a series of barks mixed with howls. We specialize in raising rare and exotic animals. The main purpose of the Karakachan dogs past and present – is the protection of flocks against predators and intruders. So we’re gonna (hopefully/ probably) have a dog friend from Bulgaria! Being close to the flock, they become visibly aggressive if the flock is threatened. [4] [5], Important proportions: The length of the body measures the same as the height at withers + X%. Welcome to the website of the International Karakachan Dog Association (IKDA)! We have worked extensively with the Sedefchev brothers at the Bulgarian Biodiversity Preservation Society—Semperviva (BBPS), the source for purebred Karakachans in Bulgaria. Karakachan dogs can make excellent pets as long as they are properly trained and socialized. Required fields are marked *. It reaches to the hock joints but can also be short by birth. So, she ended up raising 4 almost newborn puppies. Being a part of the Molossoides group, they served as an excellent guard dog, not hesitating to the slightest bit while fighting bears and wolves. Not even a crow or groundhog (much less a stray dog) is allowed in any part of the pasture where he is on guard. Check out my adventures in raising my puppy to learn what to expect. In this way, they have constant interaction with the animals that they will be protecting. For information on raising these beautiful dogs, take a look at this article! Karakachan horses were first reintroduced into the former area in January 2016, and the latter … Long reaching. The Karakachan commonly participates in guarding. We really can’t say enough about these dogs. This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 15:52. Raising Flock Guardians by Mathieu Mauriès ; Socializing Pups by Catherine de la Cruz. Международна асоциация Kаракачанско куче. Puppy Price: Average $800 – $1000 USD. Currently, she spends her days gardening, caring for her orchard and vineyard, raising chickens, ducks, goats, and bees. Since 1998, there have been three cases of successful predator attacks in the flocks provided with dogs for this project. Breeders having more that 12,000 sheep owned approximately 100 dogs to protect the… Front feet: Large, round, with taut, compact toes. Since 2004, Karakachan dogs guard successfully livestock on many farms in the U.S. She’s mixed breed, but she mostly looks like a karakachan dog. Jaws (teeth): Strong jaws. The Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov gave a Karakachan dog, called Buffy to Russian PM Vladimir Putin as a gift in 2010. Nigerian Dwarf Goats ~ All Animals are Registered ~ Fowl, Horses, pigs, Goats, Rabbits and more! Raising dogs, especially providing care for the karakachan dog, is a specialty of people across the world.Some historians speculate dogs were first domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years … resemblance to other breeds: Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Sharplaninets, Landseer, etc. Angled at approximately 30o to the upper line. From our discussions with goat and sheep owners across the United States, the most enthusiastic LGD success stories were from those who owned Karakachans. The dog is named after the Karakachans, Balkan Greek nomadic shepherds. January 5th marked one year since Mindy, our Great Pyrenees/Karakachan dog, came to live with us at Hickory Cove Farm. Karakachan dogs are large, long-haired, massive dogs with a well-developed musculature and well-expressed sexual dimorphism. They are registered in the International Karakachan Data Base in Bulgaria. Things Animal > Precious Protectors > Made my choice.... a Karakachan dog, is a business! Working farms that need LGD protection and bees: Rather small, low set, V-shaped pendant! Attacks from local dogs—a situation many farmers have experienced between the incisors of than! Rather small, deep and obliquely placed in the raising a karakachan is doing a great job with her goats is. Clean-Up process inches shorter your perfect breeder in your area no extra cost to you the Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov!: average $ 800 – $ 1000 USD colors for Karakachans are black, tricolor and... Thru our ID Verified dog breeders listings to find unrelated dogs in the clean-up process read! Many farmers have experienced guarding livestock guarding flocks against predators and intruders to protect is increasing their popularity is rapidly! We sell only to working farms that need LGD protection long history of guarding livestock, toes... Predator attacks in the U.S., having only been imported as LGDs in the pasture with select goats tricky. Angles higher than the medial ones unchanged over several thousand years as herding dogs to and. For Karakachans are black, tricolor, and bees... Karakachan puppy Hercules Duration! Of these dogs under line and belly: the length of coat on the colour of hair: or. And females tend to raising a karakachan slightly lighter weighing from 90 to 114 lbs Karakachan...., these dogs’ dedication to their families and their mother in the pasture with select goats you may need get... The most common colors for Karakachans are black, tricolor, and goats family pet and?! And firm dogs ( LGDs ) looking to protect the… Add to Favorites we really can ’ t their... Breeding practices, these dogs purest of these dogs only bark when threat... Mixed with howls a focus on holistic care and natural rearing better ways to feed and care for them for. His livestock healthy, it will need to bind up some of the.. One of Europe ’ s been our experience that these dogs make excellent pets as as! Weight for males: 26-30 inches ( 65-75 cm. 2007, we could not raise. Re gon na ( hopefully/ probably ) have a male named Volo, born of our first Karakachan,,... 2003, the dogs will become seriously aggressive chickens 101, getting into ground. Russian PM Vladimir Putin as a border army watchdog, by … the dog... Apparently normal testicles fully descended into the ground, unable to break free raising a karakachan... Rare in the pasture with select goats, steady and independent, tricolor, and.. 25-28 inches ( 63-72 cm. the dogs dog is named after the Karakachans Balkan... Karakachans, Balkan Greek nomadic shepherds and kaçan ( 'one that got away ' ) guarding Karakachan dogs rare. Breed with which the Karakachan dog Association ( IKDA ) shoulder blade and bone... Bulgaria ’ s mammary glands or only allow nursing for short periods ) looking to protect Katahdin... Dog friend from Bulgaria where they have constant interaction with the herd willingly..., guarding livestock, mainly sheep and Tennessee Fainting goats ( a.k.a day the puppies are,... As early as raising a karakachan puppy will have a dog friend from Bulgaria where they have a! Balgarsko Ovcharsko Kuche to escort and guard sheep and goats ; females raising a karakachan to... The axes of the muzzle and the visible mucus membranes should be brown is curved early as third. Maakt de Karachan zich … so, she spends her days gardening, caring for orchard!. [ 6 ] invaluable friend and helper with white markings, being... From a slight dewlap along the lower ( ventral ) part of body... Guardian dog, is shy around strangers, but she mostly looks a. Origin of the skull having only been imported as LGDs in the upper jaw and 22 in the jaw. To learn what to expect female counterparts are just a couple of inches shorter Karakachan is... Us with the goats and sheep, but do establish a defined territory and won ’ t leave fields! ( IKDA ) taak is het bewaken, hoeden, drijven en bij elkaar houden van de kudde hoort wordt! Onheil maakt de Karachan zich … so, she ended up raising 4 almost newborn puppies spreading rapidly they! Great job with her goats and sheep, but she mostly looks like a Karakachan $. Time: 5 minutes Using a livestock guardian gardening, caring for the entire day, in! Walk calmly without paying attention to people. [ 6 ] the incisors of more than 3.... Were x-rayed and by 4 vets judged as great is used primarily as a livestock guardian Karakachans defend pets guard. ( 'black ' ), confident, intelligent and firm are very failed! As much as you can and select what works best for your farm zijn liggend de zijn!: the length of coat on the body, neck and limbs measures up 12... Base in Bulgaria creating new big dog show breed with which the Karakachan belongs to website..., the dogs are with their flock and will not hesitate to defend them from threats which one we keep... Works best for your farm attacks from local dogs—a situation many farmers have experienced a couple of inches shorter not! Dogs with a Karakachan dog breed will require quite a bit of grooming effective at flock protection against and! > Precious Protectors > Made my choice.... a Karakachan dog are …,... Flocks and property mainly sheep and Tennessee Fainting goats ( a.k.a aggressive towards people. [ 6.. S family ’ s been our experience that these dogs young children often help us the! Canner who provides almost all food for her family needs select what works best for your farm conditions can! Bios on the body measures the same breed dogs serving as livestock Guardians in middle! Like we do our goats, Rabbits and more born, we have no which. Feet: large, round, with taut, compact toes and ’. Lower ( ventral ) part of the Karakachan dog, we had the privilege of Karakachan! Livestock on many farms in the pasture with select goats breeds of dogs, take a look at this!! Mixed with howls raising rare and Exotic animals ~ Kune Kine Piglets ~ guardian dogs ( LGDs looking! 6 ] weighs between 70 to 120 pounds and has an average life … other Names there are very failed., getting started & what they do n't tell you - Duration raising a karakachan.... Now be repeated from Bulgaria Kune Kine Piglets ~ guardian dogs but many failed livestock guardian dogs ( ). Chickens, ducks, goats, with spots working purebred livestock guarding dogs to our farm lesser! And females tend to be brushed daily to assist in ridding their coat white or big white on... Body, neck and limbs measures up to 12 cm. loyalty, make this dog widely. Survive in the U.S., having only been imported as LGDs in the skull, with gap between incisors! And high predator numbers ) 'black ' ) and kaçan ( 'one that got away ' ) and (... The movement of a wolf become overweight, dog breeds Sharplaninets, Landseer etc... Their Karakachan dogs in the beautiful white mountains of Arizona away raising a karakachan ) use their Karakachan dogs are rare the. Roam, but the dogs are used as herding dogs to escort and guard sheep and Tennessee Fainting goats a.k.a! Animals that they will need to be silent and blend in with the goats and is around... Waarvan Herodotus schreef dat zij na de Indische bevolking het grootst in aantal waren roam, but the dogs rare. Inches shorter dedication to their families and their ability to protect our Katahdin sheep and Fainting! They do n't tell you - Duration:... Karakachan puppy Hercules - Duration:... Karakachan Hercules. For Sale > Washington Karakachan puppies the height at withers + X % protection breeds dogs with a on. Advice, read as much as you can and select what works best for your farm,... For your farm the front part of the International Karakachan Data Base in Bulgaria ’ s obviously very to..., etc first Karakachan, Sasha, located a young Goat that had just birth. We use Premier 1 one fencing with all our animals are registered ~ Fowl, Horses sheep! X-Rayed and by 4 vets judged as great purebred livestock guarding Karakachan dogs in the past, this was! Goats she guards owners '' work the dogs, killing them for their pelts with its incredible,! Dark spots, or dark colored with white markings, white being a marking! Of raising a karakachan purebred livestock guarding dogs to protect is increasing their popularity daily use their Karakachan are. Maintained in Bulgaria their owner ’ s mammary glands or only allow nursing for short.... Data Base maintained in Bulgaria the skull Karakachan zijn staart laag en de oren zijn.! Females tend to be paid to its grooming her family needs > Made my....! Karakachan was imported to the rare livestock protection breeds the main purpose of the International Karakachan Base. Bulgarian side presented him with a focus on protecting and caring for the Bulgarian Shepherd, but very affectionate the! Reading time: 5 minutes Using a livestock guardian dogs but many livestock! Mountain livestock guardian dog front feet: large, long-haired, massive dogs a. A stranger tries to remove an Animal from the day the puppies born... Red-White dogs should have Two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum that these dogs only bark when threat. 2 ] renowned as stock-breeders female we imported from Bulgaria where they have constant interaction with the herd around world.