Sharplaninskaya shepherd: breed description and content

Sharplanin is considered one of the original shepherd sheep breeds. This representative of the fauna is an excellent guard and protector not only of a specific person, but also of the whole family. The ancient shepherd's breed is closely related to the Macedonians. Today, to get such a pet anyone can, but it is worth remembering about some difficulties in its content.

Sharplanin Shepherd is differently called Sharplanian, Yugoslav, Macedonian, Illyrian Shepherd. Archaeologists have found that this large dog was originally identified in the Balkans. The second theory is also known, which states that the ancestor of the animal is the Tibetan mastiff or “northern dog”. Macedonians say that Shplanplanets is the ancestor of wild wolves that people raised and raised.

The Illyrian Shepherd breed became officially recognized in 1939. When World War II ended, kennels of the mono-pedigree type appeared in their native lands, which bred the Sharplanin shepherd.

For a long time, only representatives who were taken out in the city of Gary were recognized as purebreds. In the 60s this institution was closed, after which the cost of puppies of a Macedonian dog increased.

Later on the dogs drew the attention of the staff of the kennels, in which representatives of service breeds of dogs were bred. In the 1990s, Sharplanians began to actively recruit to service in the Yugoslav army. At one time there was a ban, according to which it was impossible to export the representatives of this breed beyond the boundaries of their native lands.

The external description of the Sharplanin shepherd dog remained the same as a century ago. This is a strong, strong dog with a proportional physique. She has some similarities with the Caucasian Shepherd, as it refers to the representatives of the giant breed. Due to the fact that it is a working animal, it has a thick, dense fur and abundant undercoat, which allows the Illyrian to live in a harsh climate.

The female can be easily distinguished from the male, since the bitch is characterized by elongated body and smaller size. The height of the male can reach 0.6 meters, and the female - 0.58 meters, according to the weight table of the Sharplanin shepherd. In this case, an adult male gains weight up to 45 kg, and the female - up to 40 kg.

Sharplana Sheep Dogs Weight Table by Month

The animal has the following characteristics.

• Big head proportional to the body. The frontal lobe is elongated, the muzzle is characterized by elongation without cusps. The severity of the occiput is medium, the frontal lobe is wide, there are deep grooves on it. Flat muscles are located all over the face, it is dilated at the base and narrowed to the nose.
• Lips characterized by simplicity, lack of moisture, tight pressure and pigmentation. The lower lip is almost entirely covered by the upper.
• Teeth have large sizes, elongated canines, scissor bite.
• Nose the animal is large, with the presence of black pigment.
• Eyes have a rounded shape, the distance between bodies is average. They are not recessed and slightly raised at the base. The expression in the eyes of a shepherd dog is calm, intelligent and confident.The iris has a brown color.
• Ears medium sized, set low and elevated at the grounds. Adult dog has hairs on the organs of hearing.
• Body characterized by strength, has a square or rectangular shape. The neck is oval, there is a smooth transition to the withers. On the frontal area there are no folds. The neck is long and thick, so the impression of a “collar” is created.
• Back straight, wide, with the transition to the lower back of the shortened type. It has well-developed musculature. The groin line is characterized by shortness and tightness.
• Limbs inherent proportional size, harmony and proportionality of the location. Legs tightly pressed to the body. On the hips is the relief muscles. The fingers are large, oval in shape, with strong and elastic claws.
• Tail position concentrated in the region of the hock at the border with the back. Its base is thick, and the end is narrowed. The tail is delivered in a free way, during lifting it resembles a saber. The adult representative has a lush tow.

On the head, ears, anterior lobe of the legs the hair is short, and on the neck, rump, posterior lobe of the legs and tail the fur is elongated, coarse and straight. The Sharplane shepherd has a thick and soft undercoat. The color of the wool of the Yugoslav Shepherd is solid, its color can be any - from white to dark brown, there is also an almost black shade. In preference several colors are gray with a steel shimmer and dark gray.

Inadmissible is the presence of specks or blotches of white. However, according to the standard, small snow-white markings may be present on the chest and fingers. The upper portion of the head and body are painted darker; on other parts of the body, the color gradually turns into a dirty whitish or yellow-gray. Due to the smooth transition, the coat does not look spotty.

Symptoms of defects in the Macedonian Shepherd:

• elongated muzzle;
• bite irregularly shaped;
• short wool;
• the presence of obvious spots on the coat of the animal;
• short tail.

Sharplanin or Illyrian puppies are born fluffy and soft, their weight can be up to 500 grams. The color is the same as that of an adult representative. The kid has a large physique and a serious facial expression.

The Illyrian Shepherd is calm and balanced, as well as good nature and obedience. The animal prefers to be close to the family, greatly appreciating the attention of each person. However, the master of the Sharplanian is only one, whose commands are carried out without question. Of course, to bring such submission into reality, man will have to try and prove his authority. Despite the specific behavior, the pet is reliable and very attentive.

To strangers, these dogs are incredulous and constantly monitor their behavior. In case of danger, the dog will always come to the aid of his master, being unusually brave and courageous. Since the Macedonian Shepherds belong to the shepherd's breed, they are able to keep an eye on the children without harming them. With young children, the shepherd is very careful, cautious with active fun, bravely endures all the pranks and offenses from the child.

An animal of this breed can be considered an excellent companion in games, it is hardy and friendly. Domestic animals do not cause aggression or negative reaction in a large pet, only positive. However, this happens only if the Yugoslav dog is raised and trained.

Relations with fellows are not as positive as Males are often in conflict because of bitches, territory or showing their superiority. Therefore, in the case when it is planned to buy several animals, it is better if they are females or opposite-sex creatures. Sharplanin is a rectilinear dog, it can react negatively if there is an encroachment on its territory. That is why, choosing this breed, you should know about the responsibility to others.

The Illyrian Shepherd is a friendly pet, she likes to be near its owner, but it does not impose its society. The dog does not need to be supervised, it does not need to be called, forced, it is quite clever. Sharplanin is not the best option for a beginner, as this strong and independent dog needs a strong, domineering hand and training.

In order for the Yugoslav Shepherd to grow and develop normally, it needs to ensure proper conditions of detention. Since Sharplanians are naturally strong and enduring creatures, they will need a lot of space for comfortable living. If kept in a private pet house, you can equip a booth that has a straight or slightly sloping roof that the dog will use to monitor the area. You should not build too big a house, but for the winter you need to warm it with a bed of hay and a thick curtain at the entrance.

Sharplaninskaya Shepherd is a working breed, so she needs to be in business constantly. Keeping a dog in a city apartment is not the best solution. The best option for this creature would be life in the household by the cattle. Outdoor dog requires constant access to fresh air. Being a long time in 4 walls, the animal will feel discomfort.

Walking with a pet should be daily, in the morning and evening, while the second walking should be about 90 minutes. During walking with the animal should be actively entertained, play and run. Caring for an Illyrian shepherd dog consists of the following activities.

• Combing wool During molting, the process of combing the dog occurs with the use of a furminator, which easily removes dead hair from the animal's fur.
• Bathing. It is recommended to wash the dog once every 12 months or before the show. Frequent procedures of this breed are not required, as their fur coat is able to independently repel pollution and moisture. In the process of bathing it is necessary to thoroughly wet the pet's hair, then lather it with a special shampoo. At the end of the procedure, the Sharplanian should be wetted with a towel and sent for drying in a warm place on the litter.
• Teeth cleaning. To keep the jaws of the dog healthy, they should be cleaned every 7-14 days. An alternative to this procedure will be issuing a dog lived and cartilage, which he will nibble.
• Ear care. To prevent sulfur and dirt from accumulating in a pet's ears, it needs to clean the ear canals. Once in 14 days the dog needs to bury the ears with a special cleansing agent, then wipe them with a dry cloth.
• Checking the condition of the eyes. Each time after the walk, the owner must check the health of the Sharplanin shepherd's eyes for the presence of specks and blades of grass in it. Occasionally, an animal will get scratches, cuts, suppurations and eye irritation. With minor suppurations, the organs are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in a special tool. If the situation is difficult, it is better to contact the veterinarian.
• Claws trimming. The claws of the Illyrian shepherd are adapted to self-scaling, this is facilitated by the activity of the movement of the animal. In a situation where the claws have grown larger than the desired size, the owner must use a nail clipper to trim them.

The average life expectancy of a Sharplanian is 12 years. The pet belongs to the dogs of late maturation and has strong immunity. For an even physical development of the shepherd dog, it is worthwhile to constantly load your pet with running and work.

The diet of Sharplanin sheepdogs should include the following components:

• from 30 to 50% meat;
• from 25 to 35% of cereals;
• from 20 to 30% fermented milk products;
• 15% vegetables.

It is better to give preference to fish and meat, rather than vegetables. It is not necessary to feed the animal with vegetables and dairy products at the same time. Kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt, preferably served after the main meal. Subject to good quality meat products, they can be given raw. If the meat is characterized by dryness, then you can add a little vegetable oil and herbs.

When feeding boiled meat soup it is worth adding boiled vegetables or cereals. The frequency of feeding of a Shplanant depends on its weight and age. Small puppies should be given food 4 times a day, due to the fact that their stomachs can not digest a large amount of food. An adult pet is fed twice a day, provided it is full. If the dog licks a bowl, and eats food very quickly, it means that he should give more food.

If the animal usually lies near the booth and leads an inactive lifestyle, then he does not need much food. Animals working throughout the day should be given much more food. Diseases that can occur in a Shplanplan have a direct connection with the nutrition of the animal, therefore, proper attention should be paid to feeding. Be sure to give your pet an additional vitamin and mineral supplement to provide the body with the missing elements.

Some owners prefer industrial dry food. In this case worth buying a high quality product designed specifically for large dogs.

Socialization of the Macedonian Shepherd should be carried out at an early age, because the genetics of this animal is aimed at living in solitude. If the owner does not take the baby for a walk, acquaint with the environment, people, other living beings, the pet will grow suspicious, aggressive and inadequate in relation to strangers.

The main aspect in the process of learning Shplanplan is the trust. Man You should not train the dog by force or psychological pressure. In this case, the pet refuses to obey and cooperate with the owner.

For a long time, this breed of dogs has become accustomed to independence, as well as to grazing and protection of artiodactyls. For this reason, the Illyrian Shepherd has decisive character, and the man will have to defend their leadership position.

Sharplanin Shepherd Dog is considered an amazing creature and a symbol of loyalty, love for his family. This animal is depicted on a coin with a denomination of 1 dinar. This is the perfect pet for the owner, who has a flock of sheep or other ungulates. An energetic pet may be bored if he does not have a job, so the decision to start such a dog must be weighed.

In the next video you will find additional information about the Sharplanin shepherd.