Karst Shepherd

The Karst Shepherd (Slovene: Kraški Ovčar) is an ancient breed of the livestock guardian type, originating in Slovenia, particularly around Pivka.

Named after the Karst Plateau in Slovenia and the Karst landscape that extends to Croatia and into Bosnia and Herzegovina, the breed was originally considered a type of the Illyrian Shepherd with the smaller Karst Shepherd categorized as Type A and the Šarplaninac Type B.

In 1954, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) split the Illyrian Shepherd into the two distinct breeds they are today. It is interesting to note that many considered the Illyrian Shepherd to be the true modern-day representative of the legendary Molossus.

Height: Male: 22-25 ins (57-63 cm) Female: 21-24 in (54-60 cm)
Weight: Female: 55-81 lbs (25-37 kg) Male: 66-92 lbs (30-42 kg)
Coat Type: Long, dense double coat with lion’s mane at the neck.
Color: Iron Gray to Light Silver Gray.
Litter size: 3-6 pups
Life span: 10-12 years

Temperament: ‎Brave, Courageous, Independent.

Health Problems: Healthy and hardy breed. No major health issues, but some may be susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia.

Special Interest:
• Also known as the Karst Sheepdog, Istrian Sheepdog, Krasky Ovcar and Krasevec.
• One of the four types of Romanian shepherd dogs that also include the Mioritic (Barac), Carpathian Shepherd Dog (Zăvod) and the Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog.

Classifications:
UKC: Guardian Dog
FCI: Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossian: Mountain type #278

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