The Russian Bear Dog is a working breed, developed to guard livestock against wolves. They are confident, alert, loyal and protective, yet laid back and affectionate to their owners. Named after the Caucus Mountains they are known as Caucasian Shepherds, Caucasian Ovcharkas or Caucasian Mountain Dogs. This large 200lb, 30 inch powerful breed suits experienced dog owners in big homes. They are expensive to buy, feed and insure. Their heavy brown, grey, black and cream fur coat is long and high shedding. These pups need a lot of grooming and live on average a healthy 12 years. Russian Bear Dog bites are also said to be stronger than lions, and they aren’t always comfortable with kids or other pets. Today we’ll look at how the Russian Bear Dog’s breed traits suit family life. We’ll look at behavior, personality, health, and the training, exercise and care needs of this massive canine.
- Working history of the Russian Bear Dog
- How big do Russian Bear Dogs get?
- Are Russian Bear Dogs aggressive or dangerous?
- Coat care, shedding and grooming
- Health and care
- Are Russian Bear Dogs good pets?
- Russian Bear Dog Puppies, breeders and adoption
- How much do Russian Bear Dogs cost?
Although they look like Shihloh Shepherds and King Shepherds, the Caucasian Shepherd is totally unrelated. Russian Bear Dog breeders are usually very picky about where their puppies go. That’s because Russian Bear Dogs are very special dogs and they have special needs. If you are thinking of adopting an adult or bringing a new puppy it’s very important that you learn about the socialization and management of this fascinating breed, and understand their limitations as a family pet. With his massive size and stunning good looks, this is certainly a big bear of a dog with a personality to match. But is this the right dog for you? Let’s find out!
What is a Russian Bear Dog?
Russian Bear Dogs are livestock guardian breed. These are dogs bred to guard flocks of sheep, goats, or cattle from large and dangerous predators such as wolves. This was a solitary job, with little contact from humans aside from their owners. The Caucasian Shepherd’s massive coats are designed not only to protect them from predators, but also to protect them from bitterly cold weather. These are some of the toughest dogs in the world. And their personality reflects that role.
- Purpose: Livestock guardian, working breed
- Size: 170lbs in weight, 30 inches tall
- Temperament: Confident, protective, wary of strangers
Russian Bear Dog History
Russian Bear Dogs have been working alongside their human companions for centuries. The Russian Bear Dog’s original name was the Caucasian Orchavka. The Caucuses are a region comprising of mountains and expansive hilly plains. Orchavka is a Russian term meaning ‘shepherd dog’. And Caucasian signifies the birthplace of this breed.
Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia all have regions in the caucuses. The AKC breed standard lists the country of origin for this dog specifically as Russia. Hence the name. But it’s not actually limited to this country. The breed occurs throughout the Caucasus region. So, it is possibly even more closely linked with countries like Georgia and Armenia.
This dog has only recently been fully recognized in the western world. It was first recorded in the AKC’s foundation stock service in 1996. Yet a love of the Russian Bear Dog is fast becoming established in the West.
Working Russian Bear Dogs
The Caucasian Mountain Dog is a working dog that still finds itself in active use today, in some of the most remote and rugged parts of the world
Wolves roam freely in the Caucasus and regularly take down unguarded sheep. So, large, tough dogs are required to protect them. This is the reason Russian Bear Dogs have been bred to be so big, brave and strong.
Livestock guardian dogs often work in teams. As a group of dogs stands a much better chance against a wolf. It also allows them to be more vigilant, spreading out around the shepherds’ campsites to prevent wolves from sneaking in.
Russian Bear Dog Appearance
Protecting flocks from wolves in some of the coldest regions of the world needs, thick weatherproof fur. And the Caucasian Shepherd has a magnificent coat to protect against the elements.
The massive mane together with the dog’s huge size, creates an almost primal impression. Plus, when it comes to fighting wolves thick fur is also an added protection against injury. And in a fight every inch in height and pound in weight counts. So just how big does the Russian Bear Hunting Dog get?
Russian Bear Dog Size
The Caucasian Mountain Dog cuts an imposing figure and stands upwards of 30 inches tall at the shoulder. But, height does vary with sex. And females tend to be a little shorter.
Bear Dog Russian breed packs some muscle to back up their tall stature! The AKC specifying that males should weigh at least 110 pounds. Many males will reach a massive 160lbs or more
Caucasian Shepherds can grow as big as a tiger!
In January 2018 British newspapers featured a Russian Bear dog named Fluffy. At just ten months old Fluffy, who had been picked up as a stray, already weighed around 100lbs.
Fluffy was expected to double her weight over the next few months. It was reported that this would make her about as heavy as some female tigers!
They may be as big as a tiger, but are they as fierce? What are Caucasian Shepherds personalities like? And can a dog whose relative are even today working hard to defend shepherds’ flocks from wolves, ever be a cuddly family pet?
Russian Bear Dog Temperament
Like several other large guard dog breeds their reputation precedes them. And there are some concerns about the suitability of the Caucasian Mountain Dog dog temperament in a urban domestic setting.
The shepherds who bred them needed these dogs to be calm and gentle with them and their flock. But also able to aggressively repel intruders. Plus, dogs would have been present while shepherds raised families. So, they would need to be good with the children as well as fulfilling their duties as guardians.
Indeed Caucasian Shepherds are reputed to be very loving towards their close family. Yet very intolerant of strangers. Ideally we’d have dogs that were only aggressive towards genuine threats. But with any guarding breed there is always the potential for a misunderstanding.
Are Russian Bear Dogs Dangerous?
Any large powerful breed with strong guarding instincts has the potential to be dangerous. Especially in inexperienced hands or if not properly supervised.
The Russian Bear Hunting Dog is no exception. Aggression in dogs is strongly linked to fear and mistrust. And of course in the foothills of the Caucuses, it’s not an issue for a dog to mistrust strangers.
Important note: Large, powerful breeds with strong guarding instincts need experienced owners!
The shepherds that own such a dog may rarely come across other people while herding their sheep. Plus, they’re also unlikely to wander into other dogs. The only dog-like creature they are likely to come into contact with is a wolf. And shepherds have good reason to coach aggression in this circumstance.
It is challenging for a dog like this to adapt to the kinds of situations we expect pet dogs to accept without fuss. But, we can overcome this mistrust of strangers to an extent through training and socialization. And in the hands of an experienced owner this training can be sufficient to allow these big, tough, dogs to live peaceably among us
Raising a Russian Bear Dog
It’s obvious to most of us that a big strong dog needs to be well trained in order to be a well behaved canine citizen. So, we’ll look at the importance of choosing the right training methods below. But first let’s consider perhaps the most important process that any puppy ever goes through. And that’s the process of socialization.
Russian Bear Dog Socialization
Raising any large dog is invariably more of a responsibility than raising a much smaller one. A small dog might injure somebody. But a large powerful dog like the Ovcharka has the potential to do much worse. So, it is important that we do everything in our power to make this dog confident, tolerant, and gentle.
Socialization is the first thing you should think of when you bring any puppy home. And the way you go about this will have the biggest impact on your dog’s future temperament.
New Experiences
Very young puppies are usually fearless. They begin to be scared of unfamiliar people and experiences at around twelve weeks old. Taking your dog out into public while it is still a fearless puppy and exposing it to people and dogs will have a tremendous impact on how it sees strangers and strange dogs. Lots of positive new experiences, will go a long way in cementing confidence.
Be Safe: Intense socialization is vital for Russian Bear Dog puppies
Without this extensive introduction to lots of people and dogs, a bear dog may view everyone unfamiliar as a threat. With a powerful and naturally wary dog like the Bear Dog Russian Breed, socialization is not just important. It is vital.
Make sure your puppy meets lots of different people, especially children and in your home. The more guests you can cram in during those first few weeks the better.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training should also be started early, provided modern methods are used. Advocates of ‘traditional’ punishment based training should be wary of attempting these methods with a dog of this size or power. There is mounting evidence that using physical punishments to train dogs does more harm than good.
Aside from the ethical dilemmas presented by hitting your dog, it’s important to avoid getting into a physical struggle with a large puppy. He may one day realize just how big and strong he is.
Top Tip: Don’t go into battle with a tiger sized dog! Use modern, safe, training methods
Luckily there’s an alternative. One that doesn’t pit you and your dog in a physical contest (a physical contest most of us would lose). By using positive reinforcement based training, you can obtain results faster in a way that doesn’t make your dog nervous. But what sort of physical activity should we engage in with Russian Bear Hunting Dogs to help them stay happy and fit too?
Russian Bear Dog Exercise
Overweight dogs in general experience higher instances of diabetes and live shorter lives. So it’s important to keep a bear dog in great shape.
On the other hand, giant dogs need special care when being exercised, to avoid putting undue strain on their joints. So it’s important not to over-exercise puppies. And a Caucasian Shepherd will appreciate a significant amount of outdoor time and he won’t be averse to a bit of bad weather!
But, this is not an excuse to chain this dog up outside. Close contact with humans and freedom to move around, is essential.
Feeding a Russian Bear Dog
A dog that can weigh over 150lbs will get through a serious amount of food each week. And it’s important that the food is high quality.
Like all big dogs, Caucasian Shepherds need to grow steadily and slowly on food specifically designed for giant breed puppies Avoiding overly rapid growth will help to protect the puppy from the joint problems that most giant breeds are susceptible to.
Russian Bear Dog Health
No matter how well fed and exercised your dog is, there will be times when he gets sick. When it comes to health the Caucasian Shepherd’s recent working history has ensured that the breed has a good basic structure. But like most purebred dogs the Caucasian Shepherd is prone to a few inherited health issues.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a problem in many larger breeds. It’s an inherited condition that causes poorly formed hip joints. This can be made much worse by rapid growth, too much bodyweight, and inappropriate exercise in young puppies
In dogs with hip dysplasia, their malformed hips put extra stress on their joints, leading to long term pain and reduced activity. A study of dogs in Croatia found that 43% of Caucasian Shepherds x-rayed had the condition. The resulting effects of hip dysplasia will invariably be made worse by the considerable weight of this breed.
Testing breeding stock helps to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia being passed on to puppies. Both of a Russian Bear Dog puppy’s parents should have good hip scores to reduce the chances of him suffering too.
Bloat
Like every big breed, bloat can be a problem. This is a condition that can be fatal if not addressed quickly enough. Bloat, or gastric dilatation, is when your dog’s stomach fills with gas or fluid after eating. This causes the stomach to swell and twist, cutting off blood flow to important organs, like the heart.
Eye problems
Caucasian Shepherds also suffer more frequently with eye problems than some other dogs. Ophthalmic conditions including cataracts and uveitis can arise later in life.
Your puppy’s parents should both have clear eye tests, carried out through the Canine Eye Research Foundation, within a year of his birth. Keeping your dog’s coat in good condition is also an important part of maintaining his health and fitness
Grooming a Russian Bear Dog
That impressive coat takes some looking after. Long fur can easily get matted if not groomed thoroughly and regularly Many adult dogs don’t like being groomed and their owners struggle to keep thick fur from turning into a mass of tangles that have to be cut out.
Matted fur isn’t just unsightly. It can interfere with a dog’s vision and at his rear end it can become soiled and smelly. The secret is to start grooming from the very beginning when your puppy is tiny.
Daily sessions of three or four minutes, carefully picking up paws, handling ears, tummy and trousers, will help ensure that grooming isn’t scary for your friend
You’ll need to do this before he gets so big that it becomes impossible! Some dog do have to be euthanased due to painful hip problems. But, in most cases matted fur and even eye and hip problems are not likely to dramatically shorten your dog’s life.
Large dogs tend to have a shorter lifespan than older ones. So, the maximum you would expect a Russian Bear Dog to live is around 12 years.
Choose a puppy from parents that have been both hip and eye tested to improve your dog’s odds of being healthy. To help ensure your dog lives as long as possible, you will also need to make sure that he or she stays slim.
Pros And Cons of Getting A Russian Bear Dog
Pros
- This rare and proud breed will certainly be beautiful to look at and a talking point with your friends. You could well have the coolest dog in town.
- Your Russian Bear Dog will protect your home and family from intruders.
Cons
- The Russian Bear dog needs to be trained by a competent and experienced person
- His heavy coat needs regular and thorough grooming
- Pet insurance premiums are likely to be higher than average
- Your food bill will be higher than average
- The breed needs regular exercise and time outdoors.
- Your property needs to be securely fenced or your dog will wander off
- If you fail to socialize and train your dog properly he could become a danger to visitors to your home.
And it is for this last and most important reason that most good Russian Bear Dog breeders will take quite a bit of convincing that you are the right owner for one of their puppies. They will probably want evidence that you are experienced with large guarding breeds.
Are Russian Bear Dogs Good Family Pets?
The Russian Bear Dog, if extensively socialized and expertly trained, could potentially live as a family pet. But there are many breeds that are better suited to family life.
In most parts of the world there are no laws preventing anyone from owning a Russian Bear Dog. However, we urge caution. This magnificent dog really isn’t suited to anyone not experienced with large protective breeds. So, if you really want to get involved with the breed, it’s usually best to start by helping out a breeder or volunteering at a rescue center.
Russian Bear Dog Puppies
So, we have covered quite a few different aspects of Bear Dog Russian care, temperament, health, and training needs so far. And perhaps you now think you are ready to own one of these magnificent giants? So where should you go to get a Caucasian Shepherd puppy?
Caucasian Shepherd breeders
This breed has been well known in the west for long enough now that finding a breeder shouldn’t be too difficult. Finding the right breeder however is always challenging.
Going through a club will help to reduce the risk of buying from a puppy mill or irresponsible person that has not selected and tested their breeding stock carefully.
Your breeder must produce certificates for both parent’s hip scores and eye exams. You must also ask to see both the parents to gauge their temperament and general health.
The parents will probably not be overly-friendly in the way you might expect of a Labrador for example.
But they should be comfortable in your presence and have a clear bond with their owners.
Russian Bear Dog Price
A Russian Bear Dog puppy will cost between $1,000-$2,000 to buy. But, Caucasian Shepherd price will vary from breeder to breeder.
Be wary, however, of cheap dogs. It’s likely that breeders offering cut price puppies will have provided cut price care. Plus, the purchase price is just the beginning.
The Russian Bear Dog cost in the long run will include vets bills, so you might end up paying more for a cheaper pup. Don’t forget to factor the following major expenses into your budget:
- Pet Insurance
- Good quality puppy food
- Annual vaccinations and vacation boarding fees
- Strong, dog proof fencing around your yard
Russian Bear Dog Puppy Care
Getting a new puppy is exciting and fun. But, it’s also hard work! The Russian Bear Dog owner needs to get stuck in straight away, and hit the ground running.
They’ll be balancing the need to get their puppy socialized with the need to keep them safe from diseases. With most puppies this means carrying them into social situations. No mean feat with a puppy this size!
You’ll find lots more information in our Puppies Section about socialization and training.
Here are some important links:
Successful first time bear dog owners will often have an experienced mentor. Usually the breeder. But always a person experienced in raising and training a large guarding breed dog.
They’ll be purchasing a plentiful supply of top grade puppy food, and building a great relationship with their vet to make sure that their puppy is growing at just the right rate.
Rescuing a Russian Bear Dog
One way to get that experience and to eventually bring home a Russian Bear Dog of your own, is to volunteer at a rescue center for the breed or for other large breed dogs. Most rescue centers are grateful for volunteers who are willing to clean out, feed and even exercise, their dogs.
Practical experience with these breeds is vital if you are to become knowledgeable enough to make a success of owning one. And may eventually enable you to adopt a bear dog of your own.
Russian Bear Dog Breed Rescues
Here are a few Russian Bear Dog rescue centers that you might like to contact in your search:
- Esquire Caucasians (USA) is a breeder involved in rescue
- This German Shepherd rescue (UK) occasionally takes in Caucasian Shepherds
- You can contact the Caucasian Ovcharka Rescue (USA) via their FB page
Are you ready for a Russian Bear Dog? Are you already a proud owner? Tell us about your dog or your hopes for one, in the comments below!
Similar Breeds
If you are attracted to giant breed dogs, there are other large breeds that are more suitable family dogs.
Check out our sections on:
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Pyrenees
References
- Ostavel et al. The first experience of livestock guarding dogs preventing large carnivore damages in Finland
- Stanin, Prevalence of hip dysplasia in dogs according to official radiographic screening in Croatia
- Kristen, RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF UVEITIS IN DOGS
- Ring, Livestock guarding dogs: their current use world wide
- Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behavior and welfare E. F. Hiby
- Gough A, Thomas A, O’Neill D. 2018 Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats. Wiley Blackwell
- O’Neill et al. 2013. Longevity and Mortality of Dogs Owned In England. The Veterinary Journal
- Duffy D et al. Breed differences in canine aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science 2008
Tim Oliver says
I have a question.. will a underground fence keep a Caucaision inside a two acre yard. I am asking because i have an 8 month old… Stormy is great and has been so far contained.. yet i think she is beginning to test the boundary. Should i be concerned. Stormy is a wonderful dog and gets along great with my GSD… Zeus is 8 yrs old and stormy is still a pup but has taken over so to speak.. She is a rather large… 140 lbs at 8 months yet vet says she is perfect weight.. no fat. She comes in at night… sleeps right beside my bed.. and nothing is going to come into yard… house or anywhere else for that matter. I was given this pup.. but do not want her injured getting out of yard. So i installed the fence system.
Ovcharka Shepherd says
Congrats on having a massive love bug. Lana Bear is our 6 month old rescue. She’s already leans on the 4’ steel fence to greet her friends. At 100 pounds she is already butt heavy so I don’t see her jumping the fence
anonimus says
Sorry to say that, maybe some of this info can be true for the “breeds” specially designed to live in city or apartments – which, however are no more “pure” breed.
The original animal was living free in Georgian mountains running wild to keep safe the stock animals, not chained, not in a cage, not inside a house, not being dependent of a human’s wish of walking him… and so on.
Do you think the people in top of mountains have all these “full of vitamins” concentrated food to feed the dogs?? These dogs were naturally selected in many years from the ones surviving the harsh environment, the wild animals attack… and so on. I think most of people have never seen or experienced to visit a farm of animals in top of mountain, to see and to be surrounded by these huge dogs that do not accept strangers…
jennifer bach says
i agree but I would love to have him/her come inside at night and protect me as well. My American Eskimos did just that. Anyone inside or outside the house felt threat. Any Dog Breed little or small will have the same affect. Now grooming is another question.
Vladimer says
Calling caucasian shepherd a russian dog is like calling chiuahaha a Puerto rican dog….
Asia says
Very funny but you’re absolutely right!!! unfortunately outside of what used to be USSR anything and everybody call “Russian” because people just unaware of all other places that was under USSR…
Ruth Cummings says
I own a very large breed dog and love them .
But rember the cost of owning a dog this big. Not only food but heartworm and other meds as well.medicines are up to one hundred pounds so it takes two pills instead of one to work.
Wish everyone thought thru before purchasing a large breed dog.can I afford this ten to twelve year commitment? That is why so many large press end up in the shelters .
If you are prepared for the commitment they are awesome .
Beth Spurrier says
I have owned three RBD they are incredible dogs. I have them around my children and other pets. Easy to train sometimes a little stubborn. I will always have RBD. Just make sure you check out the breeder.
Cassandra Mayer says
Good article, but for NO REASON should a double coated dog he clipped down. It will not make them cooler, only make it harder for them to regulate body heat. Brushing, bathing and access to cool water are far better methods
Allan says
I am wanting a RBD as a service dog. Is it possible to be trained to help me. I need him to lay down when I sit right next to me. All this dog will do is love and be loved. I don’t want a lab or Shepard. I will take him to service dog classes. I can see and am very strong so I am not worried about being strong enough. I have had in the past English Mastiffs and labs.
I need my bear dog to be totally devoted to me as I am to him.
Conner Mclennan says
I want one
Lou says
Im pretty set on getting a Caucasian shepherd but I was wondering if raising a pup with a Rottweiler pup would become a problem once they get full grown.
I’ve raised and trained a Rott before but by himself only.
Any feedback would be appreciated
Thanks
Liz says
It shouldn’t be a problem. I have an 11 month old Caucasian and a 4 year old keeshound. My Caucasian was only 6 weeks old when I got him. He is now 120 lbs. And my keeshoind is 45 lbs, but they are inseparable
I also have 3 cats which my Caucasian loves as well.
Ovcharka Shepherd says
We have a rescue family with a 5 yr old lab, 2 cats and 8 chickens. Lana is six months old and needs to be reminded from time to time not to harass the male cat but she and the lab are each others wrestle buddies.
Ben says
Please I need an advise on what to do about my 5 months old Caucasian Shepherd whose back legs are developing into such a bad case of knock knees that the dog barely manages to run but slowly. My dog Penn is roughly covered with broken tiles.
grizzmax says
Sorry to say but you got screwed by the breeder as it should have been sjhecked before being sold and this,of course is unethical. Also bad hips are usually observable as as pup and the breeder likely was aware of the problem. An ethical breeder should guarantee the dog and offer to refund your money or offer to replace it with a healthy. However of course you may already love the dog and won’t want to give it up.Likely both it’s parents have it as well. Large breeds have a much higher chance of hip dysplaysia. you should have done your homework to find a good reputable breeder and the hips were examined by a vet even if you have to do it yourself. Expensive surgery may help it to some degree. Good luck though.