The Karst Shepherd (Slovene: kraevec or kraki ovčar) is a breed of dog of the livestock guardian type, originating in Slovenia. The breed is recognised under sponsorship from Slovenia by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

History

The Karst Shepherd is named after the Karst landscape in Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and partly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gulf of Trieste to the Dinaric Alps. Mostly bred in Slovenia and Istria in Croatia. The ancestral type of the modern day breed travelled with shepherds through this area, and most likely came with ancient nomadic pastoralists. In 1689, the etnographer Janez Vajkard Valvasor mentioned the shepherd's dogs of the area in his work The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola. In the 20th century, when the landrace shepherd dogs began to be documented as a modern breed, it was first referred to as the Illyrian Shepherd (1939). However, in 1956, the breed was separated in two: the Karst Shepherd and the arplaninac. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognises the breed in Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds-Mountain type, number 278.  The breed has also been exported to the United States, where it is recognised by The United Kennel Club in the Guardian Dog Group. The breed is also recognised by various minor kennel clubs and internet-based dog registry businesses, and is promoted as a rare breed for those seeking a unique pet. 

Appearance and Size

The Karst Shepherd is a large dog with long, thick, shaggy iron grey coat. Ears are drop and the tail is held low, and there is a dark mask on the face. Height at the withers for dogs is 57 to 63 cm with an ideal size of 60 centimetres (24 in), and weight is 30 to 42 kg (66 to 92.4 lbs). Females are 54 to 60 cm with an ideal size of 57 centimetres (22 in) and a weight of 25 to 37 kg (55 to 81.4 lbs). 

Personality

The breed standard describes the dog as having a sharp temperament and strong individuality, distrustful of strangers. It's a good guard dog. Like all large dogs, the Karst Shepherd needs to be well socialized while very young, with people if the dog is to be a companion, and with livestock if the dog is to be a guardian. If the breed's background is taken into consideration, and if the dog is well socialized and trained, he may make a good family dog. Temperament of individual dogs may vary. 

Wikipedia and GNU

The content of this entry is from the Wikipedia article "Karst Shepherd" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.