Sharplanin Shepherd Dog: breed description and content

Sharplanin is considered one of the original shepherd breeds of shepherd dogs. This representative of the fauna is an excellent guardian and protector of not only a specific person, but also the whole family. The ancient herding breed is closely related to the Macedonians. Today, anyone can have such a pet, but it is worth remembering some of the difficulties in keeping it.

The Sharplanin Sheepdog is called in another way the Sharplanin, Yugoslavian, Macedonian, Illyrian Sheepdog. Archaeologists have found that this large dog was originally identified in the Balkans. There is also a second theory, which says that the ancestor of the animal is the Tibetan Mastiff or "northern dog". Macedonians say that the Sharplanet is the ancestor of wild wolves, which were raised and raised by people.

The Illyrian Shepherd Dog breed became officially recognized in 1939. When the Second World War ended, monobreed kennels appeared in their native lands, which bred the Sharplanin Sheepdog.

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

Later, the staff of the kennels drew attention to the dogs, in which representatives of service breeds of dogs were bred. In the 90s, Sharplanites began to be actively recruited to serve in the Yugoslav army. At one time, there was a ban, according to which it was impossible to export representatives of this breed outside of their native lands.

The external description of the Sharplanin Sheepdog remains the same as a century ago. It is a strong, sturdy dog ​​with a proportionate build. It bears some resemblance to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, as it belongs to the representatives of the giant breed. Due to the fact that it is a working animal, it has a thick, dense fur and an abundant undercoat, which allows the Illyrian to live in a harsh climate.

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

Sharplanin Shepherd Weight Table by Month

The animal has the following characteristics.

• Large head proportional to the body. The frontal lobe is elongated, the muzzle is characterized by elongation without sharpness. The expression of the occiput is medium, the frontal lobe is wide, there are deepened dividing grooves on it. Flat muscles are located all over the muzzle, it is widened at the base and narrowed towards the nose.
• Lips it is characterized by simplicity, lack of dampness, dense adhesion and pigmentation. The lower lip is almost entirely covered by the upper lip.
• Teeth are large, elongated canines, scissor bite.
• Nose in an animal it is large, with black pigment.
• Eyes have a rounded shape, the distance between the organs is average. They are not recessed and slightly raised at the base. The expression in the eyes of the Shepherd is calm, intelligent and confident. The iris has a brown color.
• Ears medium in size, set low and raised at bases. An adult dog has hairs on the hearing organs.
• Body characterized by strength, has a square or rectangular shape. The neck is oval, there is a smooth transition to the withers. There are no folds in the frontal area. On the neck, the coat is long and thick, which gives the impression of a "collar".
• Back straight, wide, with a transition to the lower back of the shortened type. It has well-developed muscles. The groin line is characterized by shortness and tightness.
• Limbs proportional size, harmony and proportional arrangement are inherent. Legs are pressed tightly to the body. On the hips there is a relief musculature. The fingers are large, oval in shape, with strong and resilient claws.
• Tail location concentrated in the hock joint at the border with the back. Its base is thick and the tip is tapered. The tail is set in a free manner, during lifting it resembles a saber. The adult representative has a lush feathering.

On the head, ears, front lobe of the legs, the hair is short, and on the neck, croup, back lobe of the legs and tail, the fur is elongated, rough and straight. Sharplanin Sheepdogs have a thick and soft undercoat. The color of the wool of the Yugoslav Shepherd Dog 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 sheen and dark gray.

The presence of spots or inclusions of white color is considered unacceptable. However, according to the standard, small snow-white markings may be present on the chest and toes. The upper lobe of the head and the body are colored darker, on other parts of the body the color smoothly turns into a dirty whitish or yellow-gray. Due to the smooth transition, the coat does not look spotty.

Defects in the Macedonian Shepherd Dog:

• elongated muzzle;
• an irregular bite;
• shortened wool;
• the presence of obvious spots on the fur 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 expression on his face.

The Illyrian Shepherd Dog is characterized by calmness and poise, as well as good nature and obedience. The animal prefers to be close to the family, very much appreciating the attention of each person. However, the Sharplan has only one owner, whose commands are carried out without question. Of course, to make such submission a reality, a person will have to try and prove his authority. Despite the specific behavior, the pet is reliable and very attentive.

These dogs are distrustful of strangers and constantly observe their behavior. In case of danger, the dog will always come to the aid of its owner, being unusually brave and courageous. Since the Macedonian Shepherd Dogs belong to the shepherd breed, they are able to look after the children without harming them. With small children, the shepherd dog is very careful, careful during active entertainment, steadfastly endures all the pranks and insults 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 reactions in a large pet, only positive. However, this only happens if the Yugoslavian dog is educated and trained.

Relationships with fellows are not as positive as males often conflict over bitches, territory or showing superiority. Therefore, in the case when it is planned to buy several animals, it is better if they are females or heterosexual creatures. The Sharplanin is a straightforward dog, it can react negatively if there is an encroachment on its territory. That is why, having chosen this breed, it is worth knowing about the responsibility to others.

The Illyrian Shepherd Dog is a companionable pet, she loves to be near her owner, but at the same time she does not impose her society. The dog does not need supervision, he does not need to be called, forced, he is quite smart. Sharplanin dog 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 Dog to grow and develop normally, it must be provided with proper conditions of detention. Since Sharplan residents are naturally strong and hardy creatures, they will need a lot of space for comfortable life. Provided that it is kept in a private house for a pet, you can equip a booth with a straight or slightly sloping roof, which will be used by the dog to monitor the territory. You should not build a house that is too large, but for the winter it needs to be insulated with a bed of hay and a thick curtain at the entrance.

The Sharplanin Sheepdog is a working breed, so it needs to be in business all the time. Keeping a dog in a city apartment is not the best solution. The best option for this creature would be to live in an economic backyard near livestock. The street dog needs constant access to fresh air. Being in 4 walls for a long time, the animal will feel discomfort.

Walking with your pet should be daily, in the morning and evening, while the second walk should be about 90 minutes. While walking with the animal, you should actively have fun, play and run. Caring for the Illyrian Shepherd Dog consists of the following activities.

• Combing wool. During molting, the process of combing the dog takes place using a furminator, which easily removes dead hairs from the animal's fur.
• Bathing... It is recommended to wash the dog every 12 months or before the show. Frequent procedures are not required for this breed, since their fur coat is capable of independently repelling dirt and moisture. In the process of bathing, it is worth carefully wetting the pet's hair, and then soaping it with a special shampoo. At the end of the procedure, the Sharplanet should be blotted with a towel and sent to dry in a warm place on a bedding.
• Teeth cleaning. To keep the dog's jaws healthy, they should be cleaned every 7-14 days. An alternative to this procedure would be to give the dog veins and cartilage that it will chew on.
• Ear care... To prevent sulfur and dirt from accumulating in your pet's ears, it needs to clean the ear canals. Once every 14 days, a special cleaning agent should be instilled into the dog's ears, and then wiped with a dry napkin.
• Checking the condition of the eyes. Every time after a walk, the owner must check the health of the Sharplanin Shepherd's eyes for the presence of specks and blades of grass. Occasionally, the animal develops scratches, cuts, pus and eye irritation. With minor suppurations, the organs are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in a special agent. If the situation is difficult, it is best to contact your veterinarian.
• Claw cutting... The claws of the Illyrian Shepherd Dog are adapted to self-grinding, this is facilitated by the activity of the animal's movement. In a situation where the claws have grown larger than the required size, the owner should use a claw clipper to trim them.

The average life expectancy of a Sharplan citizen is 12 years. The pet belongs to dogs of late adulthood and has strong immunity. For the uniform physical development of the shepherd dog, it is worth constantly loading the pet with running and work.

The diet of Sharplanin Shepherd Dogs 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.

In this case, it is better to give preference to fish and meat than vegetables. You should not feed the animal with vegetables and dairy products at the same time.... Kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt should preferably be served after the main meal. Provided that the meat products are of good quality, they can be fed raw. If the meat is dry, then you can add a little vegetable oil and herbs to it.

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

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

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

The socialization of the Macedonian Shepherd Dog 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 out for a walk, acquaint him with the environment, people, and other living things, then the pet will grow up distrustful, aggressive and inadequate in relation to strangers.

The main aspect in the process of training a Sharplanetist is confidence. To man you should not train the dog with the help of force or psychological pressure. In this case, the pet will refuse 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 protecting cloven-hoofed animals. For this reason, the Illyrian Shepherd has decisive disposition, and the person will have to defend their leadership position.

Sharplaninskaya Shepherd Dog is considered an amazing creature and a symbol of loyalty, love for his family. This animal is depicted on a 1 dinar coin. This is an ideal pet for the owner who has a herd of sheep or other ungulates. An energetic pet can get bored if he doesn't have a job, so the decision to have such a dog should be considered.

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