Greek Shepherd

The Greek Shepherd is a strong, hardy, unpretentious, and loyal dog with a balanced temperament and a strong protective instinct. The breed has long been bred by shepherds to guard their homes and livestock from predators and intruders. It is rarely found outside of Greece, but is highly prized for its working abilities in its homeland.

History of origin

Since time immemorial, these dogs have been bred in the northern and central regions of Greece. They remain a popular breed among local shepherds to this day. The Greek Shepherd is one of the first dogs to be described in great detail. The earliest mention comes from the historian Xenophon of Athens. He wrote not only about their appearance but also about their working qualities. Greek Shepherds are likely direct descendants of the Epirus Molossus (one of the most ancient herding dogs, developed in what is now Greece and Albania). Later, most Balkan Shepherds (Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatian and others) descended from these dogs.

Greek shepherds always culled lazy, weak, and timid puppies. Thus, through folk selection and natural selection, a strong and healthy working breed emerged, albeit one with a wide variety of external characteristics. Only in recent years have enthusiasts begun to monitor their appearance and show these shepherds. In 2017, the Hellenic Kennel Club published a breed standard for the Greek Shepherd (Greek: Ελληνικός ποιμενικός).

Appearance

The Greek Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog with a strong skeleton and well-developed muscles. It is capable of moving all day in adverse weather conditions and over difficult terrain. Sexual dimorphism is very pronounced.

• Height at the withers of males: 68-73 cm; weight: 40-55 kg.;
• Height at the withers of bitches: 63-68 cm; weight: 32-42 kg.

The head is large and wedge-shaped. The skull is broad. The stop is of moderate depth. The muzzle is deep, wide along its entire length. The earlobe is large with wide-open nostrils. The lips are thick, the upper lips covering the lower lips, outlined black. The teeth are complete and strong. The bite is a scissor bite, a level bite is acceptable. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and brown. The expression is serious and calm. The ears are set approximately at eye level, triangular, and hanging. The neck is strong, wide, and relatively short.

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The body is strongly built, somewhat elongated. The back is straight, the loin is slightly arched, and the croup slopes moderately toward the tail. The tail is long, forming a curve at the end and, when moving or excited, is raised in a semicircle above the pelvis. The chest is broad and deep. The forelimbs are straight, parallel, and very strong. The paws are wide and oval. The hindquarters, viewed from the rear, are straight and parallel. The thighs are long, wide, with good muscle coverage, and moderate angulation. The belly is moderately tucked up.

The coat is double, short or medium length. The undercoat is well developed. Colors vary. The most common are black and white and zonate.

Character and behavior

The Greek Shepherd is independent, courageous, determined, and loyal. A tireless worker with a strong sense of duty and protective instinct.

The primary function of Greek Shepherds is to accompany and guard livestock. Their character and behavior match this purpose. These dogs are very alert and courageous, keeping a close eye on each of their charges and following the herd relentlessly. They are quite independent in behavior, exhibiting pronounced aggressiveness toward wild animals and sufficient courage to engage a wolf or even a bear if necessary. They are very loyal and work well in a team, both with humans and other dogs. They develop mentally and physically late.

Greek Shepherds have an excellent sense of smell, sight and hearing, which, combined with their strong build and balanced character, makes them ideal guard dogs.

Greek working dogs that accompany a cat into the mountains must be constantly on guard, as wolves, though few in number, do exist. This has allowed the wolfhounds' skills to be preserved. When accompanying a flock, they move cautiously, not disturbing other animals. Greek Shepherds bond with one owner, recognizing them as their leader and obeying them. They view others as their charges and do not allow themselves to be controlled. They are wary of strangers and are not prone to unprovoked aggression.

Of course, not all Greek Shepherds possess the necessary qualities to climb mountains with livestock and engage in combat with wild animals, but they are all wonderful companions who easily adapt to human needs. They can be simply pets, but they do not neglect their guard duties.

Content Features

Greek Shepherds are very hardy dogs. They thrive in both very hot and very cold temperatures. They adapt quickly to other environmental conditions. They are never gluttons and eat only as much as they need. They are not suitable for apartment or home living. The ideal environment is a free-range home in the yard of a private home.

Health and life expectancy

Owners of Greek Shepherds note that they are very robust, healthy, and strong dogs, with many living long lives. There are no known hereditary diseases. The expected lifespan is 10-12 years.

Where to buy a puppy

There are fewer than 3,000 Greek Shepherds left today. They are virtually unheard of outside of Greece. Since 1998, there have been kennels that breed for commercial purposes, but they are few in number. Most dogs are kept and bred privately.

Price

Prices vary widely. On average, a Greek Shepherd costs around 200 euros. If it's a young adult who demonstrates excellent working qualities or a puppy from parents with excellent conformation and awards, the price can reach 1,000 euros.

Photos and videos

The gallery features photos of Greek Shepherd dogs. The photos demonstrate the wide variety of breeds, not to mention the variety of colors.

Video about the Greek Shepherd breed

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• Karst Shepherd Dog
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