Caucasian Shepherd (Mountain Dog)

The main thing that anyone looking after a Caucasian Shepherd needs to know is that they take up a lot of space. This means that they aren’t really suitable for someone with a small living space or someone who isn’t willing to let it walk and run about outside a great deal. Penned up inside, where its ancestors spent very little of their time, this Russian bear dog will not fare well. When you are walking the dog, keep it on a leash when you can; this is a hefty dog that, even if it is friendly, may be intimidating to both animals and humans. 

If it has long hair, your Caucasian Shepherd may require daily brushing. If the hair is shorter, every few days is probably fine. Keep on top of the nail trimming - clip them when you see them beginning to get a bit long. And the Caucasian Shepherd is a drooler: if you don’t want your house completely covered in dog drool, try to mop up that slobber every now and again. 

When it comes to training, the Caucasian Shepherd can be so strong-willed that teaching it commands can be more difficult than for some breeds, who are more eager to please. Reading up on the best ways to coach a dog, your best bet in general is to start while your dog is young.

Caucasian Shepherd health

This is a breed that shouldn’t encounter any more health issues than most but there are some slightly more common issues that its carers should be aware of. These are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Heart problems
• Cataracts
• Entropion

Hip dysplasia

An extremely common problem in dogs, hip dysplasia should be on your radar if your dog is walking less, seems to have lost muscle mass in its hind legs, or has difficulty getting up. It’s a problem in the ball and socket of a hip joint; the joint becomes so loose that the femur grinds in the joint socket, causing pain.  

Heart problems

There is a broad spectrum of heart problems in dogs, including heart attack, heart murmurs, and heart beat issues. Some Caucasian Mountain Dogs inherit a problem called pulmonic stenosis, in which the heart has to work extra-hard to pump blood around the body. This can lead to fainting or difficulty breathing. Be on the look-out for anything like this; issues involving the heart can, of course, be very serious.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye can’t hydrate the lens properly. This leads to clouding in the eye and sometimes complete vision loss. It requires surgery in every instance but it’s an extremely common problem in dogs and vets are used to spotting and treating it.

Entropion

Another eye problem is an unpleasant condition called entropion, which affects a dog’s eyelids. Look out for any inflammation of the eye. What is happening is that the dog’s lower or upper eyelid folds towards the eyeball, causing the eyelashes to rub and irritate the eyeball, sometimes creating open sores. Surgery under general anesthesia is the only way the problem will be permanently fixed.

Health issues can affect all breeds of dog, not just Caucasian Shepherds. If you haven’t got a pet insurance policy already, use our simple online tool to compare plans from leading providers. 

Feeding a Caucasian Shepherd

This is a dog that’s at quite a high risk of becoming obese, so paying attention to its diet is important. Experts recommend that you consider giving a Caucasian Shepherd smaller, more frequent meals in order to minimize the risk of bloat. Always feed it meals that are nutrient-rich and full of meat and vegetables. 

If you need more help and advice, head over to our friends at Dog Food Advisor, who have tons of guidance on what to feed your dog. Here, for example, is a great page with advice on the best kinds of food for large dogs.