Georgian Shepherd

Georgian Shepherd is a molosser breed that was used as a working dog in the Georgian country of Caucasus. Classified into the short-haired (Nagazi) and long-haired kinds, the Georgian Shepherds, are strong-boned dogs with an athletic body stature, characterized by a large head, hairy ears, powerful legs and a feathered tail. These breeds were used to herd their sheep, a tradition that continues up to the present time.

Georgian Shepherd Pictures

History

Georgian shepherds derived their ancestry from ancient molosser dogs and were primarily used as livestock guardians for protecting sheep against predators as well as other harm. These rare dogs were mostly found throughout Russia, showcased in several dog shows even in the present time. At one point their importance in Georgia had declined with most of them being removed from the country. However, dog enthusiasts sought help from the Ministry of Environment and made efforts to revive this breed. Advertisements through television and newspaper were made to enhance their popularity. In the present times, they are also used for fighting purpose.

Temperament

Their herding and guarding instincts make them alert, brave, strong-willed and assertive. These dogs would bond closely with everyone in their family, but not accept or get along well with strangers or people they are unfamiliar with, a quality which makes them great watchdogs. The Georgian Shepherd would also share a good rapport with children whom they have been brought up with and mingle well with dogs of their family. However, they would get territorial when it comes to unknown canines. Because of their herding instinct, they would not be a good choice for households with cats and other smaller pets.

Training

Because of their dominant nature, they are not suitable for first time or novice owners but needs a tactful trainer who would handle them in a firm yet gentle way.

Socialization: Since they are wary and indifferent towards strangers, it is essential to socialize your Georgian Shepherd since their childhood by making it meet different people and experience various kinds of situations. In this way, it would gradually get to know whom to accept and whom to be cautious about. Introduce your dog to people who frequent your house on a regular basis at the earliest so that he may be decent when interacting with them.

Obedience: To keep a check on its chasing habit, imparting obedience training and teaching it essential commands is a must.

Besides training it on commands, other techniques can be implemented to control the prey drive in your dog. The moment the Georgian Shepherd is taken out, it will explore its environment and lock its eyes on a particular target and then start chasing. To break this chain, have your pet focus on you. Hold a treat between your fingers and bring it to its attention. You can give it a cue or even say “Watch me” if it follows commands. Doing this on a regular basis would help you to give your dog a cue the moment he begins scanning a prey or the environment around him when outside.

Feeding

You should feed your Georgian Shepherd a diet rich in vitamins minerals and proteins, that can be achieved through a good quality dog food as well as a homemade diet.