Dogs
Karst Shepherd Dog
Other names: Karst Shepherd Dog, Kraski Ovcar , krasevec, kraski ovca, Chien de berger du massif du Karst , K
- Origin
- Slovenia
- Size
- Large
- Height · Male
- 57–63 cm
- Height · Female
- 54–60 cm
- Weight · Male
- 30–35 kg
- Weight · Female
- 25–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- FCI
- FCI group 2 · 2 · n.º 278
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Temperament
Of good, moderately sharp temperament, courageous and valliant but not biting, very devoted to his master. Incorruptibly good guard, distrustful of strangers; pleasant companion dog and obedient, whilst maintaining a strong individuality.
History
The Karst Shepherd Dog is a breed which has existed for several centuries and which belongs in the molossian group. Probably this dog followed the Illyrians in their migration through Istria and the Dalmatian islands and settled in the Slovenian region of the Karst Massif. The breed was mentioned in writing for the first time in 1689 in the book of Baron Janez Vajkart Valvasor « The glory of the duchy of Carniole ». The breed and its standard were officially recognized on the 2nd June 1939 under the name of « Illyrian Shepherd » during the general assembly of the F.C.I. in Stockholm. At the general assembly of the F.C.I. in 1948 in Bled-Slovenia, the standard was completed and the breed recognized again. Up to 16th March 1968 however, the Shepherd of Illyria of the Karst Massif carried the same name as the shepherd from the Sarplanina Massif. In the presence of two shepherd dogs carrying the same name, the Central Society of Yugoslavia decided to name the one from the Karst region « Shepherd from the Karst Massif » and the other one « Sarplaninac ». Since that day, those two breeds have been totally independent.