Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are a giant breed that originated in the Caucasus mountains on the border of Russia. They are also commonly called the Russia Bear Dog.
There are two varieties of Caucasian Shepherds: The Steppe type, which is smaller with a shorter coat, and the Mountain type, which is bigger and has a long coat. Most of the pictures you see will be of the Mountain type.
These are large and immensely powerful dogs that are not for everyone. Properly trained and taken care of, they are loyal, protective, and affectionate pets.
| Weight (pounds) Male: 100-170 Female: 85-155 | Height (inches) Male: 27-30 Female: 23-26 | Lifespan (years) 10-12 | Dog Breed Group Foundation Stock Service |
Characteristics Ratings
We rate 19 characteristics for each breed, divided into three categories:
Highest Rated – Characteristics for which this breed is rated 4 or 5 stars (on a 5 star scale).
Neutral Rated – Characteristics that rated 3 stars.
Lowest Rated – Characteristics that rated only 1 or 2 stars.
Highest Rated
- Good Family Dog
- Protective Nature
- Low Amount of Barking
- Tolerates Cold Climate
- High Intelligence
Neutral Rated
- Kid Friendly
- Handles Change Easily
- Easy to Train
- High Energy Level
- Tolerates Being Left Alone
- Good General Health
Lowest Rated
- Good With Other Dogs
- Low Shedding
- Low Drooling
- Friendly With Strangers
- Likes to Play
- Suitable for Small Yards/Apartments
- Good for Novice Owners
- Tolerates Hot Climate
General Overview
First and foremost, Caucasian Shepherds were bred to be serious guard dogs, a job at which they excel. These are dogs that can weigh close to 200 pounds and do not know what fear is!
They will not back down from a fight against any living creature, even large predators such as bears and wolves. They will fearlessly put themselves in front of their family against all intruders and give their life if necessary.
Anyone who attacks the owner of a Caucasian Shepherd will be in for the fight of their life – and one they will likely lose!
As you might expect, this means they do not trust strangers or other dogs and can be quite aggressive if not properly trained early.
They are very affectionate and loving towards their families and have adorable personalities with them. They can be good with children but are best suited for older children. Their giant size can accidentally lead to unintended injuries with small children.
Plus, young kids can play rough and yell loudly, which a Caucasian Shepherd can see as a threat to their children and rush to protect them.
They have a double coat that keeps them warm and should be brushed at least twice a week. This can be quite time-consuming because these are awful big dogs. They also shed and drool quite a lot.
On the plus side, they usually bark only when they sense a threat.
They do best when around their families and suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. This can lead to destructive behaviors, which can be really destructive with a dog this size!
They can also be aggressive and stubborn and need a very experienced owner who can provide proper leadership. These are not the dogs for a first-time dog owner.
Caucasian Shepherds are fairly low in energy and are known as couch potatoes. As such, they are prone to being overweight. They only need a 15 or 20-minute walk twice a day to satisfy their needs.
Although they are low in energy, they have tremendous endurance and make good walking or hiking companions. They have no trouble walking long distances.
These are smart dogs that can tell when they are needed and can stay focused more than most other breeds.
However, training is a challenge because they are also independent and strong-willed, as well as being very strong physically! They need an experienced owner who can provide gentle but firm training.
Overall, Caucasian Shepherds are fairly healthy dogs and prone to the ailments common in other giant-sized breeds. As we mentioned earlier, obesity is their biggest health risk.