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Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog (Sarplaninac)

Large Breed

The Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog is a loving breed that develops a strong bond and will instinctively protect its family. They are gentle dogs but will treat anyone that they perceive as a threat to their family with distrust. They are excellent herding dogs and guardians.

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Breed standards

Country of origin

Former Yugoslavia

Weight

Males 35-45 kgs/77-99 lbs; Females 30-40 kgs/66-88 lbs (Standards may vary)

Height

Males average 62 cm/ 24 1/2 Inches; Females average 58 cm/ 23 1/4 Inches (Standards may vary)

Coat

Head and front of legs are covered in short dense hair. On the rump, tail and rear of the legs the hair is long. Over the rest of the body the hair is quite long with feathered forearms and frills on the neck.

Markings

All colours found.
White marks on the chest and toes may be found

Lifespan

Average, 10-12 years

They are an intelligent breed of dog that will make any family glad to have such a loyal and dependable breed as part of their family.

Temperament

The Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog is a very serious and dedicated guard dog. Due to this, they are naturally suspicious of strangers and will need good socialising at a young age to try to lessen this innate personality trait. They are calm and gentle with their family but when faced with danger they become a formidable foe; not a suitable breed for all. Consistent and firm training is essential to ensure compliance.

  • Poor
    Children
    Good
  • Very
    Combativeness
    Not very
  • Very
    Dominance
    Not very
  • Not very
    Friendliness
    Good
  • Not very
    Independence
    Very
  • Loud
    Noise
    Quiet
  • Not very
    Trainability
    Very

Good to know

The Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog is a beautiful breed of dog, giving its family a sense of security with its inherent, strong desire to protect. The Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog was originally bred as a protector of flocks and homes.

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  • An excellent guard dog
  • A good loyal companion
  • Calm and quiet in the home
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  • Requires regular grooming
  • Not suited to apartment life or city life
  • Best with a large yard
  • Requires sufficient daily exercise