South Russian Sheepdogs

South Russian Ovcharka

FCI â„–326

 

 

South Russian sheepdogs draw to themselves attention not only dog breeders-professionals. Shaggy giants similar to polar bears admire with an originality of behaviour and beautiful, rich clothes.

As soon as named this shepherd's dog: "barrack", bear Russian, Novorossisk, steppe, Ukrainian, few-Russian, South Russian... Its origin has some versions.

On one of them, ancestors of South Russian sheepdogs are "barracks" Nogajtsev (lineal descendants kipchakov-polovtsev, there is no time occupying the Euroasian steppes from Irtysh in the east to Danube in the west). In «the dictionary of Turkic languages» Mahmuda Kashgarsky (XI century) «a barrack - the dog with the shaggy and long wool, different extraordinary precipitancy and dexterity, is considered the best among dogs».

Blood of "barrack" also are now visible in shape of South Russian sheepdog: she has inherited a dry head with a narrow muzzle, the wide thorax, tightened a groin, finiteness with sharply expressed corners, a manner to attack short, sharp grasps, jumping aside and attacking.

South Russian sheepdog
Even a modern South Russian sheepdog, it appear it one in the wild nature, can survive: except ability to graze, it has kept also the hunting qualities of ancestors. A delicate ear, an excellent scent, ability quickly to estimate a situation and independently to make decisions and to submit only to one owner - here the main distinctive qualities of this unique dog.

In Europe it is possible to consider as nearest modern "relatives" of South Russian sheepdog Polski Nizinny a sheepdog (Poland), a Puli, pumis, a komondor (Hungary), the French sheepdog - a briard (France), an old-English sheepdog - a bobtail (England).

But if many European relatives of South Russian sheepdog have already turned from the shepherd's sheepdogs to typical city inhabitants South Russian sheepdog has kept the protogenic steppe breed.

 

South Russian sheepdog
In the beginning of XX century breed had wide popularity. Its representatives were shown at exhibitions abroad. It seemed that breed the big future waits, but the history has disposed differently. After October revolution the south of Russia, and especially a manor It askanija-is new, where basically breeding work with breed was conducted and the basic manufacturers contained, have been plundered and ruined. For attempts to stop larceny of four-footed shepherds and watchmen adjusted on a place.

For January, 1st, 1928 in It askanni-is new remains only 25 dogs who are on hands at shepherds without any account. In the twenties in Ukraine the decision on task performance on preparation of skins of dogs was accepted. Thus it has been destroyed more than 5000 dogs!

When breed has appeared on the verge of disappearance, air defence nursery had been picked up group in 22 dogs and is exposed in 1928 in Moscow at All-Union and Ukrainian exhibitions of dogs on court of authoritative foreign and Russian judges. Experts not only recognised that these dogs belong to breed, but also have made decision to call it «South Russian sheepdog».

And from now on in our country planned cultivation of South Russian sheepdogs has begun. At the German exhibition of 1930 where Russian sheepdogs for the first time have been shown, the Soviet pavilion burst with visitors. Severe "Russian" have subdued spectators, and cynologists-factory owners hastened to conclude transactions on purchase of dogs of this breed.

South Russian sheepdog
During the Great Patriotic War breed was comprehended again by heartrending experiences. Ukraine where the basic centres of cultivation of Russia have been concentrated, has appeared in epicentre of operations.

Many South Russian sheepdogs then protected airdromes, ranges, warehouses. Self-denying dogs perished, without leaving protected posts even at approach of fascist tanks.

After war breed already has again appeared on the verge of disappearance, and work on its restoration has in the fifties begun. The large centres of cultivation of breed have appeared in Moscow and Leningrad.

Not all passed smoothly, but long-term work of enthusiasts of breed bore fruit. So, in 1988 at 1st All-Union exhibition of domestic breeds of dog fine, same dogs of breed South Russian sheepdog in number of 35 goals have been presented.