South Russian Ovcharka vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - 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.

Breeding of the Slovak Hruborsty Stavac, fondly referred to as the SHS began around the 1940s.

There were some dog lovers who were interested in crossing the coarse haired dogs of Slovakia with the German Wirehaired, the Czech blower and the Weimaraner. The outcome was a rough-haired kind of Weimaraner-looking dog.

While hunters and hunting were quite common in Slovakia, the breed became rather rare with the wars when hunting became less, but the dog was reconstructed by breeders, but is still rare outside Slovakia.

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.

The dog is fairly large, standing at between 62 and 68cm in height and weighs 25 - 35kg. The coat is fairly coarse and dense and is a grey/silver shade with a touch of brown.

There is quite a bit of hair around the face. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is mostly docked to half its length but can be left long as well. The tail is set high and carried vertically and can be well feathered. The eyes are almond-shaped, and the dog has an intelligent appearance to him.

Temperament:

The Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is a sharp dog, making it easy to have him trained and socialized. He is such a friendly, social dog, getting on well with all family members and loving to get involved with the games of the children.

There is no aggression in this dog and when you provide him with the exercise that he craves, he is loyal, gentle and loving, getting on well with other dogs as well.

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 Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is such a bouncy, amicable pet, full of energy. He may appear to be confident and full of the joys but he secretly can’t stand it when his human family don’t include him in everything. He can actually suffer with separation anxiety.

He is an athletic dog and will require lots of exercise – walks, hikes, ball games and running off his leash.

He is quiet but strong-willed and will respond well to a strong, firm, consistent, kind owner.

These dogs make the most awesome pets and you can either find one from a rescue group or find a puppy from a reputable breeder. Whatever you decide on, the Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac makes an extraordinary 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.

There are always some illnesses that your dog might get but which isn’t likely with your pet as these are healthy dogs.

Bloat:

Dogs can die within a few hours if not treated with this ailment. Bloat is a condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas. The stomach is swollen and the gas can cause breathing problems because it puts pressure on the diaphragm. If you suspect that your dog has bloat, he should be rushed to the vet as soon as possible.

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.

Prepare for your Pet:

Before you bring your pet home, dog-proof your house. It won’t be fair to leave tempting, chewy things lying around and expect your pet to not be interested in them. Also, keep dangerous chemicals out of reach of your pet.

Prepare for your pet beforehand and have feeding- and water bowls ready as well as a nice basket or some other sleeping equipment available for him.

Feeding:

If you’re bringing an adult rescue dog home, try to feed him the same kind of food he was already eating, as too many changes can upset him. When he settles down, you can move over to other food. Keeping his food consistent can avoid digestive problems.

If you opt to feed him one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure its the best quality as some of them are bad, filled with things such as colorants, preservatives and fillers. Try and give him some homemade food which you can add into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all boiled slowly together will delight your pet. Chop it all up and your pet will look so forward to this. Dogs thrive on simple, consistent meals like this. Provide water at all times.

Exercise:

The amount of exercise any dog needs is dependent on age, size and energy levels. Because the Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is an energetic breed, he will need a good dose of exercise. If you have a puppy, avoid strenuous exercise as this can damage the soft, developing bones and joints. As well as walks and ball games, mental stimulation is also important for this dog. Consider buying some puzzle toys or feeders for your pet.

Fleas:

Check for fleas and ticks while you brush him.

Immunization:

Keep up to date with all your dog’s immunizations and get your pet to the vet as soon as he is sick. There are some illnesses such as bloat which can claim your pet’s life in just a few hours if not attended to.