Live Life Team
The history of the South Russian Ovcharka, sometimes referred to as the South Russian Sheepdog, is long and mysterious. While historians have their theories about the ancestry of this dog breed, they tend to differ and debate about the actual history. Because of this, there has not been any consensus on the origin of this particular breed. Little is known about where the dogs come from or about when they started showing up in the area of south Russia. Some believe that they originate from the Crimea region, which is in between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Still, little is known. In the mid eighteenth century, South Russian Ovcharka dogs became very popular for their sheep herding capabilities. They could round up as many as 8,000 sheep in order to bring them to or from the harbour. While they are also now used as pets, they can still be found in Russian farms with the role of keeping the livestock in order.
The South Russian Ovcharka dog breed is most noted for their coat. They have very long fur that can sometimes take on a wavy appearance. The hair is long all over the body, including the face. This can obstruct the vision of the South Russian Ovcharka dog. While some South Russian Ovcharkas are white with a tinge of yellow or grey, most of these dogs have a very white, purely coloured coat. South Russian Ovcharka dogs average a height of around 66 centimetres and stand tall and proud.
