Bucovina Shepherd Dog
- Origin
- Romania
- Type
- Livestock guardian
- Size
- Giant
- Height
- 64–78 cm (25–31 in)
- Weight
- 50–90 kg (110–198 lb)
- Coat
- Long, thick and straight, with a mane
- Colors
- White or white-beige with gray or black patches
- Status
- Recognised by the FCI
The Bucovina Shepherd Dog is a large livestock guardian from the historical region of Bucovina, in northeastern Romania. It is one of four Romanian shepherd breeds, alongside the Mioritic, the Carpathian and the Raven Shepherd Dog, and is related to other guardian dogs of southeastern Europe such as the Tornjak and the Šarplaninac. The FCI calls it the Romanian Bucovina Shepherd.
History
This is a natural breed that arose in the Carpathian Mountains. It developed most in Bucovina, an area known for moving flocks between seasonal pastures, where shepherds selected dogs to defend sheep and cattle and to watch over households.
The first breed standard was written in 1982 and updated in 2001 by the Romanian Kennel Club. The present standard dates from 29 March 2002. The FCI gave the breed full recognition in 2019.
Appearance
The Bucovina is a big, imposing dog. Males stand 68–78 cm (27–31 in) and females 64–72 cm (25–28 in).
The head is massive, with a moderately wide skull and a muzzle shaped like a blunt cone, never pointed. The nose is black and wide, the lips thick and the jaws strong. The eyes are small for the size of the head, almond-shaped and slanting, and chestnut or a little lighter. The V-shaped ears hang close to the cheeks. The neck is thick and strong, the chest wide and deep, and the body heavily muscled.
Hair is short on the head and the front of the legs. On the body it is abundant, straight and harsh, 6–9 cm (2.4–3.5 in) long, over a shorter, thick undercoat. It grows longer on the neck to form a mane, makes fringes on the back of the forelegs and culottes on the hindquarters. The tail is bushy. It hangs low when the dog is relaxed and rises above the back in a sickle shape when the dog is alert.
The coat is clear white or white-beige with distinct patches of gray or black, sometimes black with red-fawn tints. Black or gray ticking may appear on the legs. Brindle patches are not accepted.
The dog moves with an easy, springy, powerful gait, and prefers to trot.
Temperament
Bred to protect flocks and herds, the Bucovina is courageous and ready to fight when predators are near. It makes a very good watchdog. It has a deep, powerful bark and is quick to notice strangers on its territory.
Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.