The first literary references to dogs of the Georgian Shepherd breed were found in the 14th century. They described this breed as hunting and fighting. In his studies on the life, traditions, and livelihoods of sheep farmers in Georgian regions, the historian Vakhushti Bagrationi reported that every shepherd (shepherd) has faithful helpers. They are strong, make wolves and leopards retreat, and the bears bypass those areas where they feel the presence of brave, fearless dogs.
Detailed breed description
Wolfhound, she is a Georgian Caucasian Shepherd, is extremely popular in many countries. In English, the name of the breed sounds like a Georgian mountain dog. In Russia, in the Caucasus - nagazi (nagazi) - a primordially Caucasian shepherd. This name was used for a dog guarding sheep for centuries. The oldest breed, the breeding of which was carried out by shepherds of Kazbegi, Dusheti, Leninogorsk, Tianeti, Tusheti regions.
Favorable climatic conditions, mountain air, extensive meadows contributed to the development of livestock husbandry. In parallel with this there was a formation, modification in the development of dogs for grazing and protection. Georgian Shepherd has become an integral part of the development of sheep breeding. And a faithful assistant to man.
In nature, there are two types of Georgian mountain shepherd:
- Kazakh smooth-haired (short-haired) - kazbegian or nagazi;
- long-haired (hairy) Georgian mountain dog.
This is an ancient indigenous, working breed. Individuals are physically strong, hardy, large, muscular, with a massive skeleton. They have a large head, powerful legs, and well-developed muscular muscles. The dogs are unpretentious, adapted to any climatic conditions, bold, independent. A massive, large Georgian shepherd was bred specifically to protect the housing of shepherds, domestic areas and flocks of rural animals.
Features
Mountain shepherds are one of the largest dog breeds. For males at the withers, the height reaches 75-85 cm, for females - 65-75 cm, weight - 65-85 kg, depending on gender. By the age of two, the dog is considered to be adult and fully formed.
They tend to be brave and alert. Confident and courageous, these dogs are designed specifically for protection from predators, as they have an active protective reaction. The Georgian Shepherd dog is distinguished by distrust and aggression towards strangers and strangers, while it is friendly and affectionate with the owner and his family.
Psychological portrait, main characteristics
The dog has fighting qualities, fearlessly engages with predators, is able to make decisions independently. Despite her distrust of outsiders, she is very calm and peaceful, attentive, balanced. In the modern world has gained a reputation as a reliable guard, defender. The mountain shepherd is distinguished by friendliness, devotion and tender love for the owner and children, can look after the kids in the absence of parents.
The main advantage of the breed is the ability to adapt to any conditions, including severe cold and heat. It lends itself well to training, but will only obey the owner. Defensive instincts and a stable psyche are well developed.
Disadvantages of the breed
Like any other dog, this one has its drawbacks. The description of the Georgian shepherd breed allows us to state that in the behavior of nagazi one can observe active aggression towards strangers or the presence of some kind of alertness, turning into timidity.
However, if the dog noticed that the owner perceives the stranger as his own, aggression is replaced by suspicion. He will not growl, but he will keep the guest’s behavior under control. In no case will he execute commands of an extraneous nagaz.
Training and education
The most important thing in raising a mountain dog is its socialization. It is necessary to teach the dog to calmly react to the abundance of various stimuli: other animals, cars, strangers, etc. You should familiarize the dog with a different environment. But in no case should one expand the circle of communication too much. From an early age, she should clearly understand what a master, a family is. These are those whom he must obey and guard.
In the circle of confidential communication, you can include relatives, close friends. But it is not advisable that they caress and feed the dog. To educate the guard, there are special games that develop watchdog qualities.
Breeding
By the end of the 90s, sheep farming in Georgia fell into decay, and the breed was on the verge of extinction. The 1999 Kennel Federation of Georgia took the breed under surveillance, and the planned breeding of a mountain dog began. Also, the Georgian Mountain Dog (Georgian Nagazi) breed standard was compiled and approved.
A special expedition to the Kazbek district was organized in 2002 for representatives of a unique breed. So began the official breeding. Many farmers from Australia, America, Russia, New Zealand stood in line for such a pet. Georgian cynologists began to actively advertise the breed on television and in print. In order to popularize the Georgian Shepherd breed as soon as possible, photos were placed in magazines, newspapers and television programs describing the shepherd's life.
Nursery "Pride of Georgia"
At the beginning of 2000, Georgian mountain dog kennels appeared not only in Georgia, but also in Russia and Ukraine. For breeding, the most titled representatives of the breed were selected in accordance with the standard accepted by dog handlers.
Fearless, brave, courageous dogs can gain trust, respect and affection of a person. A responsible approach to education will help to grow a reliable defender and guard. Georgian Shepherd is a breed of dog that easily makes contact and fully trusts the owner.