Kars Dog

The Kars Dog — the Kafkas Çoban Köpeği — is a Turkish livestock guardian from the Kars region on the Caucasus border.

History

It guards flocks in the high country of north-eastern Turkey and is closely related to the Caucasian Shepherd across the frontier, sharing the same job and much of the same stock. Turkish authorities have run conservation programmes for it as the herding tradition contracts.

Temperament

The breed is known for being fearless, territorial and self-directed, attached to its flock and household and hostile to intruders. It works alone at night, which is what its temperament reflects.

Care and training

It needs space, secure fencing, early socialising and an experienced owner. Exercise needs are steady rather than athletic. The heavy double coat sheds hard.

Health

Giant guarding breeds carry the usual joint concerns and shorter average lives; nothing else is widely documented here. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.