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| Šarplaninac - Yugoslav Shepherd Dog | |||||||||
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 Šarplaninac | |||||||||
| Other names | Sharrplaninatz Yugoslav Shepherd Dog-Šarplaninac Sharr Mountain Dog | ||||||||
| Common nicknames | Planinac Šar Шарко Šarko | ||||||||
| Origin | Serbia and Macedonia | ||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
The Šarplaninac (pronounced shar-pla-NEE-natz) or Sharplaninec, also known as Yugoslav Shepherd Dog, is a large-sized shepherd dog breed of the Balkan region, from the Šar Mountains. The Šarplaninac, was first registered by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) in 1939 and known as the Illyrian Shepherd dog after the ancient name of the region. In 1957 the General Assembly of the F.C.I. accepted a motion proposed by the Yugoslavian Federation of Cynology to change the name of the breed to "Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog Šarplanina".
After the collapse of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, Macedonia and Serbia requested the name of the dog to be changed to recognize both countries. It was agreed to change the name of the dog to "Macedonian-Yugoslav Shepherd Dog - Šarplaninac". The original type of the breed has been maintained solely in such parts of the former-Yugoslavia where intense cattle breeding is still prevailing and where this dog still can play its original role of a guardian and protector of the cattle herds against predatory animals.
Appearance
The Šarplaninac is a large, muscular, strongly-built dog. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, and the front legs account for approximately 55% of the height. The head is large but proportional to the body, with dark eyes.
Size
The Šarplaninac is a robust, well proportioned dog with plenty of bone, of a size that is well above the average and with a thick, long, rather coarse coat that emphasizes the short coupled appearance.
- Height in Male Dogs: 56-62cm (24 inch above)
- Height in Female Dogs: 54-60cm (22.5 inch above)
- Weight in Male Dogs: 35-45kg (77-99 lbs)
- Weight in Female Dogs: 30-40kg (66-88 lbs)
Although much larger and heavy dogs exist, the preferred size for Šarplaninac's is for male dogs 75cm and female dogs 70cm.
Coat
The coat is dense and medium in length; it can be rough or smooth. The coat is also about four inches (10 cm) long. The coat will benefit from occasional brushing. All Šarplaninac types are solid in colour: tan, iron grey, white or almost black. The colour need not be completely uniform, and most Sars have several different shades of the same colour fading into one another. There are no bicolours and no uniformly black-coated dogs among purebreds, but odd-coloured specimens do exist.
Colour
Usually sable or gray with darker "overalls" on the head and back, the undercoat being paler. Almost all other colours are accepted, but the dogs must not have large white patches in their coat. There are several varieties of colors, by frequency of occurrence: Tiger Color with 30%, grey color with all the varieties 20%, Yellow color with black muzzle 20%, white color 20% and counter mask (muzzle).
Temperament
The temperament of the breed is described as independent, reliable, protective but not snappy; incorruptible and devoted to its master. The breed is aloof with outsiders, and calm until a threat to the flock presents itself. The breed has a highly protective nature. In the absence of a flock of sheep, the Shar will often treat its humans as sheep - herding them away from danger or undesirable areas. They are serene and majestic, gentle with children and smaller dogs. They are also highly intelligent and bred to work without human supervision while guarding the flocks in the high pastures. Young pups can kill small animals until trained not to hunt.
Working life
The Šarplaninac is a reserved and intuitive breed, stubborn and undemonstrative, but properly trained and handled with authority, it excels at a variety of tasks. Dog-aggression and wariness of strangers are common traits of the Šarplaninac, which is why early socialization is of utmost importance. Heavily-boned and muscular, the dog has a full top-coat, with an abundant dense undercoat, making it weatherproof and suited for an outside life.
The Šarplaninac has been known to fight or chase off a wolf, lynx and even Balkan bears.
The breed can also work cattle and serve as a guard dog; it was bred and used as a military dog under Marshal Josip Broz Tito. The Šarplaninac is spreading through North American ranches as a sheep herding dog and a livestock guardian. Since 1975, successful exports have been carried out to the United States and Canada to control coyotes, and this is where its future security rests. It is now gaining recognition as a hard-working, able flock guard in those countries.
History
The Šarplaninac is an ancient livestock guarding breed from the Šar Mountains of the Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia. The origin of the breed remains controversial. It seems likely that it came to Europe from Asia in the course of the prehistoric mass migrations.
The breed was initially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1939 as the Illyrian Shepherd Dog, after the Ancient name of the region. In 1957, at the request of the Yugoslav Canine Federation (JKS), the FCI changed the name to Yugoslav Shepherd Dog-Šarplaninac, after the Šar Mountains (Šar Planina in Macedonian and Serbian) where the breed is most common. Currently the dog is formally known as Macedonian-Yugoslav Shepherd Dog.
Trivia
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (September 2008) |
- The image of the Šarplaninac is featured on the Macedonian denar, coin of Republic of Macedonia.
- The image of the Šarplaninac is featured on the emblem of Dragaš town in the Šar Mountains region of Serbia.
References
- ^ Fédération Cynologique Internationale: Official FCI-Standard N° 41, Published November 24, 1970.
- ^ United Kennel Club: Official U.K.C. Breed Standard, Revised April 1, 1998.
External links
- FCI-Site Sarplaninac.
- Sharplaninec. The king of Cadinae
- International Sarplaninac Club
- Dog Breed Info - Sarplaninac
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