South Russian Ovcharka vs Schnauzerdor - 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.

With these modern day mixed-breeds, there is no history or records of when they came into being so we assume the USA. And so it it with the Schnauzer Lab mix breed. Each of the parent dogs – the Schnauzer and the Labrador, have their own histories.

It is uncertain how the Schnauzerdor came into being. Not so long ago, puppies born from different parents were simply labeled mongrels, but today they have been specifically bred. With these dogs you are never really sure how the puppies will turn out, and even within one litter, the puppies can be different looking.

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.

A Schnauzer Labrador or Schnauzerdor is much the same size of the Labrador if the parents were a Labrador and a standard Schnauzer.

You can expect the height to be roughly between 50 to 62cm and weight could be anything from 20 to 35kg. Everything will depend on the size of the Schnauzer really as there are 3 kinds – miniature, standard and giant.

There’ is no way of knowing what physical characteristics the Schnauzerdor will get from each parent. The coat of these dogs can be anything from smooth to wiry and they can also be in a number of different colors, from yellow to cream, grey, black, brown.

Temperament:

Schnauzers and Labradors are intelligent dogs so the Schnauzerdor is guaranteed to turn out smart. Make sure that your Schnauzerdor receives training and socialization. Clever dogs like this won’t battle with training and it can ensure your pet is obedient and balanced, knowing how to behave around different people and in different situations.

Schnauzers are considered non-shedding and hypoallergenic, so it could be that your Schnauzerdor ends up with a low shedding coat.

Your dog is likely to be social, playful, energetic and a good watchdog. They are loving and loyal to their human family members.

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.

The Schnauzer Lab is a crossbreed so this essentially means that your dog can have behavioral traits from either of the parents.

They're social, friendly, loving dogs that can also make good watchdogs. The Schnauzerdor gets on well with children and can get on with other dogs too. With training and socialization he becomes much more amicable and obedient, making a super family companion.

You can be sure that he is going to make your family a great playmate, friend and pet.

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.

Your Schnauzerdog can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age if looked after well. There are some dog illnesses that many dogs succumb to, regardless of breed or age -

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip dysplasia is when the hip joints don’t develop properly. You notice your dog is reluctant to play and even battles to get up again after lying down. Hip dysplasia can lead to painful arthritis and you will need to get him to the vet for pain relief and a treatment plan.

Obesity:

This dog loves his food, and because you love him so much, it will be tempting to pop treats into his mouth all the time. It is so easy to overfeed these dogs and obesity is a big problem and can contribute to joint problems with a dog as well as strain on the heart and other organs.

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.

Check your Schnauzerdor’s ears and eyes for infection. Look inside his mouth and check for bad teeth. When you brush him twice a week, check him over for new lumps.Trim his claws.

Your Schnauzerdor is an active dog and he will require vigorous exercise every day. A daily walk won't be enough for this dog. He will want runs in the park off his leash as well as rope- and ball games.

Give your Schnauzerdor the best chance to enjoy good health by providing him with good food.

There are some good commercially manufactured dog foods out there and they can be a good, convenient choice, especially if you choose the high quality ones known for their wholesome, natural ingredients.

Give him some home-made food too which can be added into the dry kibble twice a week. Boil brown rice and chicken in a pot and add in sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. Chop all this up and as a treat, add some of this into the dry kibble.

Your dog’s wagging tail will be all the thanks you need. Try to also include some raw meat occasionally. Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water.