Fun Central Asian Shepherd Dog Facts For Kids

If you love dogs, you might want to get to know one of the oldest dog breeds that are still in existence today: the Central Asian shepherd dog. Having originated in Central Asia, around the Caspian Sea, Ural, and Asia Minor, these large dogs are now popular worldwide. These dogs are known to be independent and fearless. They were one of the most popular breeds in Russia in 2000 and are commonly nicknamed 'voldokov'. The word 'voldokov' means 'wolf crusher', and this alone can tell you about the strength of these dogs.

Being territorial in nature, they are very protective of their home and people and they can fight with large predators and even win against them. Their coat is soft, and they are known to shed their coat of fur profusely. They have a thick double fur coat to keep them warm. When it comes to their wellbeing and health, these dogs need to be taken care of properly, with special caution, to keep them healthy, as they are prone to several health conditions.

If you want to know how costly these dogs can be, well, be prepared! These dogs are not cheap at all. Puppies of this breed are expensive and range from $1200 to $1500. The Central Asians' puppies are really cute though, and you will not want to miss out on the Central Asian shepherd dog if you want to have a protective dog. As these are famously known as guard dogs, this breed will protect your home and themselves. Owners also shouldn't need to worry about their large bodies because these dogs know how to be around children. They are loving, friendly breeds that know how to be protective as a bonus. If you want to own this pet, you will have to have a garden or a backyard where they can run and walk because they like to be active. If they don't get their share of exercise, they can be pretty destructive, and nodboy wants that!

If you enjoyed reading about this amazing dog, you should check out our other articles on the American leopard hound or the Australian retriever.

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What type of animal is a Central Asian shepherd dog?

Belonging to the family Canidae, the Central Asian shepherd is a dog.

What class of animal does a Central Asian shepherd dog belong to?

As these dogs are mammals, they belong to the class of Mammalia.

How many Central Asian shepherd dogs are there in the world?

A study to estimate the world population of Central Asian Shepherd Dogs has not been conducted yet.

Where does a Central Asian shepherd dog live?

Central Asian shepherd dogs live in our houses and homes, and with Central Asian shepherd dog breeders, of course. These dogs are capable of living in many environments and they are a breed that is best kept as guard dogs. The name clearly states the word 'shepherd', meaning that historically, they may have been kept around cattle. So, they love running in open fields. Central Asia shepherds are from Aisa Minor, Ural, and the northwest China border. Their other homes and places of origin include Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

What is a Central Asian shepherd dog's habitat?

Loved by shepherds, these dogs originally lived with shepherds and were used for guarding cattle. So, the dog lived in open fields where it could take care of the cattle and run as much as it wanted to. Today they are comfortable living in our homes and enjoy spending time in any open areas where they can run around.

Who do Central Asian shepherd dogs live with?

This shepherd dog breed needs socialization and these dogs prefer to live with other pets and, of course, with humans. They are very intelligent dogs, often able to understand human emotions and commands.

How long does a Central Asian shepherd dog live?

The life span of Central Asian shepherd dogs is between 12 to 15 years. Like most dogs, this dog tends to live for a maximum of 15 years.

How do they reproduce?

Asian Shepherd dogs are known to reproduce sexually like other dogs. After reaching puberty, a female Central Asian shepherd dog, during her estrous cycle, will be able to reproduce and fall pregnant by mating with a male.

What is their conservation status?

A conversation status for these dogs has not been evaluated.

What do Central Asian shepherd dogs look like?

When it comes to the look of Central Asian shepherds, you will find that they are very robust. They have a larger size than the average dog and their strength and power mirror this large size. Curious, freedom-loving, alert, and independent, these dogs are some of the best pets you can have. They have a double coat of fur and are notorious for shedding. Their ears are short-cropped, and their tails are long. The common colors you will find in these dogs are different fawn shades, from white fawn to deep red, black, white, and brindle. They have a strong head and very prominent sculls, a low set neck, and an overall body that is muscular and proportionate. If you look closely, their ribs might look longer than they really are. This is due to the development of false ribs. Their straight legs, defined angulation, and broad rump all make these dogs good runners.

How cute are they?

This animal is really adorable. This breed, with its soft fur and protective nature, like most dogs, is especially cute when they are small puppies. When they grow older, they may lose a little of their cute looks, but there is a good reason behind this. They develop into proper guard dogs as they grow up, whose intimidating looks are a sure way to keep strangers and trespassers away from your property. This strong and loving dog will protect everyone who is part of its family.

How do they communicate?

Central Asian shepherds communicate using barks, growls, whimpers, and body language. Even though it is a large breed with a great height, it has a good temperament and knows how to convey its message to its owner or other animals without being overly aggressive. They make sounds to warn us and to show us love, and their body language alone is often strong enough to express their feelings.

How big is a Central Asian shepherd dog?

The large size of this breed, Central Asian shepherds, is evident immediately because of their length and weight. Their weight ranges from 99-220 lb (45-100 kg) and their length ranges from 24-37 in (65-95 cm). Compared to females, males are often bigger in terms of height and weight. They are definitely bigger than any toy breed, somewhat resembling a Tibetan mastiff in size.

How fast can a Central Asian shepherd dog run?

This dog breed, Central Asian shepherds, runs at a top speed of 24 mph (38.6 kmph). This speed is impressive, but they are slower than German shepherds that have a top running speed of 30 mph (48.3 kmph).

How much does a Central Asian shepherd dog weigh?

The Central Asian shepherd dog breed can have a weight of 99-220 lb (45-100 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

As such, there are no different official names given to the two genders, but generally, females dogs are known as 'bitches', and males are just known as 'dogs'. Whilst males and females do not have specific separate names, these dogs can be called by a variety of different names in general, including Central Asian Ovtcharka (CAO), Alabai Central, and Aziat.

What would you call a baby Central Asian shepherd dog?

The baby of this shepherd dog, the Central Asian shepherd dog, just like any other dog's baby, is called a puppy. Being small in size with a height of just a few inches and a weight of just a few pounds, these puppies are super adorable.

What do they eat?

The diet of the Central Asian shepherd dog includes good quality dog food kibble, meat, or vegetables. The best way to feed this animal to ensure it has high energy levels and a shiny fur coat is at home in a single feeding. As Central Asian shepherd dogs are large, they can eat large amounts of food at a time so owners should be cautious and careful when they feed them. The main problem this dog faces is gaining too much weight, so owners must make sure that they are eating the proper amounts of food. Also, the food intake they are having should be enough to meet their daily nutrition needs. A healthy diet can help to protect your dog's overall health and can perhaps help protect against health issues including hip dysplasia.

Are they slobbery?

All dogs are slobbery and the Central Asian shepherd dog is extra slobbery! They will leave a pool of saliva wherever they have been, so be sure to watch your step and keep some towels around.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, these dogs make a really good pet. A Central Asian shepherd dog is an independent, alert, and proud dog. These breeds are large and self-assured and they are fearless and are not scared to fight off a predator irrespective of its size. They are known to be territorial dogs, and they'll be sure to take care of their territory in every way. Being protective, loyal, and courageous, they are undoubtedly  a good choice of pets.

These dogs can live in many different environments and they know how to be affectionate, even with strangers. The normal Central Asian shepherd dog temperament is calm enough not to harm loved ones and, even though they are large, these breeds are generally good with children too. Their large body and coat will not be a trouble for a child to handle as these breeds are well aware of how to behave around kids. Regarding their training, these breeds, when adopted as puppies, will be relatively easy to train, but they are not ideal for first-time dog owners. If you are strict and use proper commands and routines, right from the beginning, they will treat you as their master, which is very important in the long run.

Did you know...

Denmark has banned this breed of dog.

This breed is known to be one of the oldest dogs that are still living today.

This dog's evolution doesn't seem to stop as they are progressively getting larger and are still growing!

This dog breed type is famous for being fearless and self-assured to the point that it does not back down when it faces a larger predator than itself.

Females take one year to become sexually mature and ready to breed.

History of the Central Asian shepherd dog

The Central Asian shepherd dog originated from the Caspian Sea, Ural regions, the northwest China border, and Aisa Minor. When it comes to their history, this Central Asian breed was standardized by the USSR. As the Soviet Union ended, a new breed (a more modern one) was created. This modern breed is called the Central Asian Ovcharka. Dogs of this breed have a genetic print that is similar to many other dog breeds like the Kangal dog, the Caucasian shepherd dog, and the Akbash.

The history of the Central Asian shepherd dog tells us that they were traditionally livestock guardians. They loved to guard cattle and fight predators, perhaps why they are sometimes called 'voldokov', which means 'wolf crusher'. This breed type is known for its historic ability to kill large predators who may have attacked them or trespassed into their territory. In 2000, this breed was the most famous dog breed in Russia, and this dog breed is now bred in the United States too. Many clubs have recognized this dog breed, including the United Kennel Club, the American Rare Breed Association, the American Canine Registry, the National Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service Program, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

Getting your own Central Asian shepherd dog

If you plan to get a Central Asian shepherd dog for your home, you can rest easy knowing that choosing this breed will be a wise decision. This dog breed has high stamina and is an active breed that loves strolling without taking breaks. They need a garden (with fences) in which they can be free and independent, and, most importantly, active. These dogs are not hugely energetic because they are so large in size, but they should be walked regularly in order to remain fit and in good health. One of the most common health issues of this breed, originating from the northwest border of China and Central Asia, is hip dysplasia.

If these large dogs do not get ample exercise, they can become agitated and this can lead to barking and other destructive behaviors. Other than this, their temperament is good. These dogs do shed their coat of fur profusely when their shedding season comes and owners should start training these dogs at an early age. Training a puppy is always easier than training a fully-grown Central Asian shepherd dog. This is because Central Asian shepherd dogs, when grown, will have already adopted many bad habits, and it can be really tough to break them out of these habits through training later in life. If these dogs are provided with adequate training when they are puppies, given that they have a good temperament and protective nature, they'll grow up to be one of the best companions that you and your family members will ever have!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals, including the American cocker spaniel, or the Carolina dog here on Kidadl.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Central Asian shepherd dog coloring pages.

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