Kraski Ovcar
Krasevec, Karst Shepherd Dog, Illyrian Shepherd, Istrian Sheepdog
The Krasky Ovcar is one of several European livestock guardians. Livestock guardians do not herd their charges, but instead protect them. They traditionally guarded sheep, living with their charges and fending off predators that included bears and wolves. Their name is taken from the region it is normally found in Slovenia, Karst. Today the Kraski Ovcar is rarely seen outside its homeland where it most often finds work as a guard dog.
Kraski Ovcar Standards
- FCI (Group 2)
- UKC (Guardian)
- 21-25"
- 58-88 lbs
- large livestock guardian
- ears are v-shaped, medium length, drop
- tail is long, saber, reaches at least the hock
- coat is long and straight
- iron grey with black mask
History of the Kraski Ovcar
An ancient breed, the Krasky Ovcar has been present in the Balkans since at least the Middle Ages and described in detail as long ago as 1687. In more modern times it was known as the Illyrian Shepherd, grouped together as the same breed as the Sarplaninac. The two would not be formally separated until 1968. Once considered a Yugoslavian breed, the fighting in this region almost destroyed the Kraski Ovcar completely and in order to restore the bloodline a single male Newfoundland was added to the population. Today it still remains fairly rare and is listed as a Slovene Natural Treasure.
Related Breeds: