MyDogBreeds
Moscow Watchdog is originated from Russia but Kars Dog is originated from Turkey. Moscow Watchdog may grow 21 cm / 8 inches shorter than Kars Dog. Moscow Watchdog may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Kars Dog. Both Moscow Watchdog and Kars Dog has almost same life span. Both Moscow Watchdog and Kars Dog has same litter size. Both Moscow Watchdog and Kars Dog requires Moderate maintenance.
The Moscow Watchdog is a cross between the Caucasian Oytcharka, the St. Bernard and other Russian hound dogs. This large breed dog was developed in the Soviet Union for the purpose of being guard dogs. It had the awareness and assertiveness of the Oytcharka and the size, intelligence and attractiveness of the St. Bernard. The breed is common in Russia today but hardly seen anywhere else even though they were exported to the United States and Europe. The breed had the first U.S. born litter in 2015 and it is not AKC recognized.
Following the second world war crime was on the rise in the Soviet Union and a new breed of dog was needed to counter this trend. The dog had to be adaptable to very cold temperatures, snowy weather and have a guard dog personality and ability. The breed was called on to guard such locations as railroads, government offices, warehouses, infrastructure and labor camps.
The project to develop this breed was led by General Medvedev beginning in 1946 at the Central School of Military Kynology – which was a department of the Soviet Ministry of Defense. It took many years to develop the Moscow Watchdog which then became a very successful breed.
It took until 1985 for the breed to be “officially” recognized in the Soviet Union and until 1992 to be recognized by the Federation of Dog Breeders in Russia and until 1997 for the standard to be approved by the Russian Kennel Club. They are still working with the FCI to gain international recognition for the breed. At the moment they are considered a part of the Molosser group and shown in the “Special Show” in Russia.
Committed breeders brought the Moscow Watchdog to Hungary in 1986 in order to make the breed more popular. In addition to this there were many breeders from previous Soviet States that wanted to preserve the breed as well. There were about 500 Moscow Watchdogs in Hungary around then. Currently there are about 27 Moscow Watchdogs in the United States. The breed is known to be a gentle giant and very much a family dog these days.
The Kars Dog is found in Turkey, hailing more specifically from the Kars province, after which it is named. He actually has a long history of at least 600 years.
Referred to as a Molosser, the dog is still used to this day for shepherding livestock. There are many varieties and sizes of the dog, with the most common Kars type being similar to the Nagazi variant of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
The Moscow Watchdog is related to the mountain dogs and is a very large breed. They are sturdy, muscular and powerful. They have big heads and a thick double coat that sheds profusely four times a year. They have a long tail, an arched chest and an air of confidence.
He is in the Mastiff family and is smart and trainable. He is not clumsy but has big bones. He is surprisingly agile and active for a dog his size. Unlike the St. Bernard he is not a couch potato. He is also differentiated from the St. Bernard because he does not drool.
These dogs are large but they’ve got a gentle temperament and are good with kids, being playful and energetic with them.
Even though he is a docile dog, you want him trained and socialized, and then he gets along well with other pets too. His sheer size makes it that it is best to supervise him when he’s around small children. He is also a protective dog breed, willing to bond closely to, and protect his human family.
Large and heavy, the Kars Dog is strong, with a large head and broad chest. The height of the dog at the withers is 60 to 90cm and he weighs in at roughly 60 - 80kg.
At one time the ears were cropped but they are left these days and then they are of medium length and floppy. The coat varies too in terms of length and color - short to longer variety coats. The coat can be a solid color or it can have patterns. You’ll find reddish brown dogs, grey and black dogs as well as dogs with a mix of colors.
The Kars is an aggressive, territorial dog, but with the correct training, socialization and upbringing, it can be a loving, amicable family pet.
Known also as the Kars Turkish Shepherd or Kars shepherd, he makes an ideal guarding dog as he is brave and devoted to those he is protecting. He is cautious and even unfriendly towards people he doesn’t know, and it is thought that because of his robustness, it might not be a good idea to leave him unsupervised with small children.
Nonetheless with training and socialization, the Kars is capable of being a super pet for all members of the family. Training him won’t be that easy as he is large and strong-willed, but the training will provide him with some basic good manners.
He will require a firm, confident owner and will require living in a home with a big garden or in the countryside as he requires a good amount of exercise.
This is a large dog who likes to be involved and busy, even though he is so big. He isn’t suited to city life and being confined to a tiny garden as he needs space.
They’re independent dogs too and you can leave them alone during the day. He is social, so while you can leave them during the day while you’re at work, he’ll want your attention when you get back. They're such loving, loyal family pets that you owe it to him to make this gentle giant of a dog as happy as can be.
The Kars is a large dog and because of his past where he used to guard livestock, he is a dog used to wide open spaces. He will require a home with a good sized garden and a family who exercises him frequently.
With the right kind of care, the Kars is able to strongly bond with his human family, taking his role as guardian and protector very well. He is alert and smart and that is why he will need training and socialization and a firm, fair human owner. He will then become a loving, devoted companion.
Moscow Watchdog is looked upon as a fairly healthy dog breed but there are some risks such as hip dysplasia as well as some other large breed problems.
With big dogs like this, hip dysplasia is a threat. Its an hereditary condition where the parent dogs pass down the problematic genes. Hip dysplasia results in inflammation and pain for your pet, and where once he loved to play, he is reluctant to and battles to get up after lying down.
The Kars is generally healthy and long-lived, being able to reach 12 years of age with ease if cared for properly. Every dog, even the most healthiest ones, will have some health issues, and with a large dog like this, it is hip dysplasia, obesity, cancer and heart problems.
Coughing is a symptom of different illnesses, with one of them being heart disease. If your dog is still coughing after several days, its time to see the vet.
When your dog hasn’t exercised, you’ll see him battling to breathe or the breathing will be rapid. He’ll be reluctant to walk and play too and may be disinterested in his food. Edema, the swelling of body tissues is also a sign of heart disease.
The Moscow Watchdog is a giant sized dog and will require a lot of regular exercise, and apart from a fairly brisk daily walk, will also need games and a run in the park.
As a large dog requiring a regular dose of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation, he is better suited to life in the country or at least where there is a large garden.
The Moscow Watchdog has a medium length coat, and as a moderate shedder, you will need to simply brush his coat twice a week to remove loose hair. There is no professional grooming required for these dogs.
Homemade food is always a treat for a dog, but if you’re feeding your Moscow Watchdog commercially manufactured food because of the sheer convenience it provides, make sure the packaging says 'large- or giant dog breed' food. This way you know your pet is getting the right amount of minerals and vitamins for his size.
Always buy the best quality food to avoid giving your pet an overdose of colorants and preservatives. Try and give your pet some home-made food such as boiled chicken, some brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. These can be added to his kibble every now and again.
A simple diet like this agrees with your pet and he will be healthy and happy with his lot.
Your Kars dog can be a wonderful addition to your home, but you need to know how to care for a big dog before you get carried away and add a large puppy breed to your family.
Too many people buy a cute bundle of fur and get rid of it when he is no longer a cute puppy. Before you bring a giant breed dog into your home, take note of some useful tips to keep him in tip top condition -
If you bring a puppy home, he’ll need to be fed 4 times a day with special puppy food. There are excellent commercially manufactured puppy foods on the market and you will need to get the one that caters for ‘large- or giant puppy breeds’, as the Kars is a very big dog.
As your dog reaches adulthood you’ll feed him less. If in any doubt as to the kind of food to give your dog to maintain good health, speak to your vet.
Every dog will need exercise to keep him trim and fit but to also stimulate their minds. Providing your Kars dog with exercise such as walks and ball games will also ensure he doesn’t become bored.
Your pet will need a nice quiet, warm, dry place to sleep and rest. If he is an outdoor dog during the day, make sure that he has a place to rest in the shade. Make sure he has a non-stop supply of fresh, cool water too that is placed in a cool, reachable spot.
Your large pet is an average shedder and to keep his thick coat in tip top condition, you want to be sure to brush him at least twice a week.