The Karst Shepherd is considered to be the oldest native
breed to Slovenia.
Researchers have not been able to determine the approximate date that the Karst
Shepherd came into existence. They believe he is an ancient breed used as a
sheepdog and livestock guardian dog in the area known as Slovenian Karst
located around Pivka. Professor Strebel, a renowned explorer, described the
Karst Shepherd’s ancestors as a link between the German Shepherd Dog and the
Greek Molos. Professor Strebel suggests that there is a possible Latin origin
through the Pompeii Dog. Although other researchers strongly believe that the
ancestors of the Karst Shepherd was brought to the Slovenian Karst area by the
Illyrians through the Dalmatian Islands
and Istra. A widely accepted theory is that the Greek Molos were bred with
other sheepdogs such as the Romanian Sheepdog, the Caucasian Shepherd, the
Sarplaninec or the Macedonian Sheepdog. The Karst Shepherd was recognized internationally as the
Illyrian Shepherd in 1939. He was grouped with the Shepherd of the Sarplaninia
Massif. He was renamed the Krasevec in 1968. The Central Society of Yugoslavia
went on to separate the Shepherd of the Sarplaninia Massif and the Krasevec
into two independent breeds named the Sarplaninac and the Karst Shepherd Dog. This
separation occurred in 1968. It is unknown when the Karst Shepherd was imported
into the United States.
Since there is no known documentation, he is thought to have been imported into
Canada or Mexico
and then brought over the border rather than be flown directly into the United
States. While the Karst Shepherd is not
recognized by the American Kennel Club,
he has been recognized by the United Kennel Club since July 1, 2006.
