Live Life Team
The Šarplaninac dog breed is also known as the Sharplaninec, the Yugoslav Shepherd Dog and the Sharr Mountain Dog. The breed was first known as the Illyrian Shepherd Dog based on the ancient name of the region where it was first bred. In 1957, the breed had its name changed to Šarplaninac, or Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog in order to demonstrate the then current country of origin, Yugoslavia. It is called the Šarplaninac dog breed because of the Šar Mountains from which it came. Not much is known about the true origin of the breed, although most speculate that it has been around since the time of ancient Greece.
Šarplaninac dogs are heavy and thick. They have a large frame with strongly built muscles. They have thick bones which add to their size and weight. Size can vary whether the dog is male or female as male Šarplaninac dogs are quite a bit larger. For instance, the average height of a male Šarplaninac is between 56 and 72 centimetres while it is between 54 and 68 for females. The same goes for weight. Males average between 35 and 45 kilograms while females weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms.
While Šarplaninac dogs are used for guarding sheep herds, they also make great family companions. These dogs are particularly nice to children and other dog breeds. They are just as protective of their human family as they are their herd of sheep. Because of this, Šarplaninac will tend to herd and guard the humans when sheep aren’t present.
