South Russian Ovcharka vs Rampur Greyhound - Breed Comparison

Known also as the South Russian Sheepdog or the Ukranian Shepherd Dog, the South Russian Ovcharka’s history isn’t well established, and there are different stories to its history.

Whatever their history, this large dog is closely related to the wolf and has also been crossed with sight hound dogs. Their numbers have been under threat when their role as herding dog was no longer needed for rural life.

It was in the 1920s however that the breed’s numbers were restored and the UKC officially recognised the South Russian Ovcharka in 1996.

These dogs are classified within the Herding Dog Group.

Known also as the North-Indian Greyhound or the Rampur Hound, the Rampur Greyhound is native to the Rampur area of Northern India.

This dog is a member of the sighthound family, and in the past has been sought after for its efforts in controlling jackals.

The dog is also able to cover large distances at high speed. Some commemorative postage stamps were issued in 2005 as acknowledgement of this attractive dog breed.

A large, big boned, well muscled herding dog, the South Russian Ovcharka stands at between 62 and 66cm in height and weighs between 46 and 52kg.

The dog has a thick, fairly coarse, weather-proof coat that can become long and this coat has always protected them from the harsh Russian winters.

He has small, floppy ears and the tail is medium length and also covered in thick fur.

Temperament:

These dogs need a lot of exercise and if you keep one as a pet he will need a lot of space to run and play. He guards his property too and makes a good watchdog.

He isn’t suited to living in small spaces in the city. He is a dominant, independent and strong willed dog so training and socialization will be important if you don’t want him to be unruly.

With the right kind of training, the South Russian Ovcharka can get along with pets and children in the home. He isn’t aggressive but he has strong guardian characteristics.

The first time dog owner would need to be firm, strong, confident, consistent and kind to handle this strong willed dog.

In height, the Rampur Greyhound stands at between 55 and 75 cm and they weigh in the region of 27 to 30kg.

They are much the same as other greyhounds, but they’re somewhat wider and just a little bit more muscular. The head too, is broader than the slimmer head of the English Greyhound. Of course these dogs are known for the slim, pointed nose, the high-set ears which are sometimes half-floppy, half-erect. The eyes are large and the tail is long and slim.

The coat is short and smooth and is in colors such as gray, fawn, some white, some black with white and some brindle.

Temperament:

Your Rampur Greyhound is social around his human family, lapping up all their attention. He is the kind of dog that can be seen sprinting at high speed over the fields, but he is also not averse to lying peacefully with you on the sofa.

He is far better suited to a home with large gardens or on a farm as opposed to being confined to a small property in the city.

He can be gentle but when required, he becomes an excellent watchdog. He will need training and socialization as he can be rambunctious indoors, knocking things over. Training makes him obedient and restrained They get on well with children and other pets in the home.

The South Russian Ovcharka may well be independent and strong headed but there is nothing that a little bit of training and socialization can’t do.

He is intelligent and will pick up some obedience commands easily. He is is dog that will like a strong, firm, consistent owner - someone who likes to include him in all the family activities.

He can get on with children but is better suited to life on a larger property as opposed to living in a small city place. Treat him with firmness and fairness and you’ll get yourself an excellent pet and companion.

Everyone loves the Rampur Greyhound, and why not? He is fantastic with children because of his gentle, loving nature. He is a playful dog too and will require a daily dose of exercise.

They aren’t noisy dogs, being naturally timid, but he still loves to get out and about with his daily walk to see and experience new sights and smells.

When you bring a Rampur Greyhound into your home, you’re bringing in a whole lot of wonderful companionship, love and loyalty from this remarkable canine.

This large breed has a lifespan of 9 to 11 years. Some of the health conditions to which this big dog can succumb are -

Hip Dysplasia:

This is something that affects many dogs, but particularly large dogs. When the hips haven’t formed properly, it can lead to pain, disability and arthritis.Lifestyle changes can help, like making sure your dog doesn’t pick up too much weight. For pain management you will need to get your pet to the vet.

Bloat:

Also known as Gastric Dilatation. The dog’s stomach fills with gas and can twist, and this in itself can be fatal. As soon as you see your pet pacing restlessly and he has a swollen stomach, he will need to get to the vet just as soon as possible.

Rampur Hounds are generally a healthy dog breed, and their health is enhanced when you take good care of them and provide them with lots of love, good food and exercise.

Still, every dog can fall prey to any one of the many dog illnesses there are such as cancer, bloat, diabetes, ear infections, epilepsy, obesity, eye problems and others.

Bloat:

This can be deadly for your dog. Gas collects in the stomach and the stomach can twist. You’ll notice your dog has a hard, swollen stomach and he is lethargic, but restless. Getting him to the vet as quickly as possible should be a top priority.

Skin Problems:

Your pet can develop all kinds of skin problems where he bites and scratches, causing bacteria. It can be terribly painful for your pet, and even ticks and fleas on the skin can cause cause a lot of irritation for your pet.

Some people add in omega 3 oils to their pet’s diet to help with dry skin. Don’t let your pet suffer with skin allergies and other problems that are itchy and painful. Get him to the vet so you can get to the root of what is causing him so much frustration with his skin.

The long coat is certainly going to need a good brush at least twice a week as it can so easily become matted.

Because he has floppy ears, you will need to check inside the ears that they aren’t showing signs of redness, indicating the possibility of a ear infection. Check at the same time for ticks and fleas.

Exercise:

This dog is going to need a good deal of exercise to keep him content. He will love a long walk out and about. Robust games will also need to be provided. It’s why he isn’t looked upon as a dog suited to the city. He needs a lot of space and can become frustrated and destructive if his exercise needs aren’t met.

Diet:

A dog is part of the family and he therefore deserves a good meal too. Good food is beneficial as it means your dog is less likely to get sick.

Like many dog owners, you’ll no doubt appreciate the convenience of commercially manufactured dog foods. You’ll need to choose the best one though because the inferior ones are made up of bad ingredients – fillers that have no goodness whatsoever.

To provide your South Russian Ovcharka with a tasty treat, try and give him some home-made food. Boiled chicken, rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are simple and tasty and won’t trouble your dog’s stomach.

Chop some of it up and add a small portion of this into his dry kibble twice a week. Your dog’s wagging tail will tell you how much he loves it.

To avoid skin infections, try to include some raw meat into his diet too when you can. Make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Active and playful, your Rampur Hound will need a lot of space to let off steam and run. He will look forward to his walks every day with you. Maybe you’ll need a tennis racquet to hit the ball far enough for him to sprint after.

Grooming:

These dogs, with their short coats, are considered to be low maintenance, even though they do shed.

A good brush twice a week will do them good and they just love being massaged. It’s your time to run your hands over the slim, muscled body to make sure there are no unusual lumps on him.

Follow a regular grooming regime when you brush him. Check inside his ears, have a look at his eyes to make sure they’re still bright. Check inside his mouth for bad teeth which could be causing him terrible pain and make sure to trim his nails.

Diet:

To be healthy and content, every dog needs good food.For convenience it can be great to feed your Greyhound one of the high quality commercially manufactured dog foods. To vary the food occasionally, add in some delicious home-made food too.

Once or twice a week you can simply add some home-made food to the dry kibble. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Nothing complicated.

If you cook it in bulk, you can chop it all up and feed smaller portions to your pet. Some raw meat added in from time to time will also keep him healthy.

A simple meal like this will please your dog no end. No exotic spices and strange, weird kinds of food which could upset his stomach – just plain and simple the way dogs love it.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.