*
BRIEF
HISTORICAL
ESSAY
*
The
Kavkazskaya
Ovcharka
is
one
of
the
ancient
breeds,
it
descends
from
the
Mastiff-like
dogs
of
the
Tibet
that
are
related
by
their
origin
to
the
shepherd
and
fighting
dogs
of
Asia.
For
many
years
these
fine
dogs
accompanied
the
cattle-breeders
on
the
vast
territories
that
stretched
from
the
Caucasus
steppes
and
foothills
to
the
Plateau
of
Iran.
Mostly
this
breed
has
been
formed
in
the
severe
mountain
conditions.
GENERAL
APPEARANCE
A
large
dog
of
the
rough
built
type,
with
massive
bone
and
strong,
well-developed
musculature.
The
format
is
slightly
long.
The
sex
type
is
clearly
defined
-
the
males
are
larger,
more
massive,
with
the
heavier,
larger
heads,
with
a
long
mane.
CHARACTER/BEHAVIOUR
Behaviour
is
bold,
balanced,
quiet.
Unconfident
behaviour
and
excessive
excitability
are
not
characteristic
of
the
breed.
MAIN
PROPORTIONS
The
low
height
limit
for
males
is
68
cm,
for
females
-
64
cm.
If
a
dog
is
proportionally
built,
it
should
be
more.
The
ratio
of
the
muzzle
length
to
the
skull
length
is
2:3.
A
dog
mustn't
seem
leggy
or
cobby.
*
HEAD
*
Large,
massive.
SKULL
A
broad
and
well-developed
skull
with
strong
jaws.
A
broad
forehead,
slightly
domed,
with
a
shallow
long
furrow
and
marked,
but
not
prominent
supraorbital
ridges.
STOP
Not
long,
well
marked,
but
not
abrupt.
MUZZLE
Massive,
of
a
great
depth,
blunt,
well-filled
under
the
eyes
and
in
the
set
region,
gradually
pointed
to
the
nose.
MUZZLE
LENGTH
Slightly
shorter
than
the
length
of
the
skull.
Lips
thick,
tight.
NOSE
Big,
black,
the
light-fawn
and
white
dogs
can
have
light
noses.
TEETH
Afull
tooth-formula
(42
teeth).
White,
large,
well-developed,
tightly
set.
The
incisors'
bases
are
set
in
a
line.
A
scissors
bite
or
level
bite
in
spite
of
age.
EYES
Not
big,
oval,
dark,
set
obliquely,
deeply
and
well
apart.
The
eyelids
are
close
fitting.
EARS
Hanging
on
the
ear
cartilages,
not
big,
set
on
high,
short-cropped.
NECK
Strong,
slightly
shorter
than
the
head
length,
crested,
set
at
an
angle
of
30-40?‡
to
a
back
line.
A
slight
dewlap
is
admissible.
*
BODY
*
TOP
LINE
The
well-marked
and
well-developed
withers,
wide,
muscular,
slightly
higher
than
a
back
line.
A
wide,
straight,
strong
muscular
back.
LOIN
Short,
wide,
muscular,
slightly
arched.
CROUP
Wide,
muscular,
average
long,
rounded,
nearly
horizontal
CHEST
Lowered
to
the
elbow
line
or
lower,
long,
broad,
rounded
in
section.
The
ribs
are
definitely
arched;
the
false
ribs
are
well-developed.
The
front
part
of
the
chest
is
slightly
prominent
in
comparison
with
the
glenohumeral
joints.
BELLY
Reasonably
tucked-up.
TAIL
High-set,
dropped
when
a
dog
is
quiet,
reaches
the
hock
joints.
Sickle
curved,
hooked
or
curled.
FOREQUARTERS
At
front
view
straight,
wide
and
parallel
set.
The
blades
