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The Sarplaninac (pronounced "shar-pla-NEE-natz") (Macedonian:Šarplaninec )(Albanian:Qen i Sharrit) is a medium-sized shepherd dog breed of the Balkan region. The Sarplaninac is a large, muscular, strongly-built dog. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, and the front legs account for approximately 55% of the height. The head is large but proportional to the body, with dark eyes.
Temperament: The temperament of the breed is
described as independent, aloof with outsiders, and calm until
a threat to the flock presents itself, when suddenly the Šar
erupts into swift ferocity. The breed has a highly protective
nature.
History: The name comes from the Šar mountain range
(Šar Planina) spanning the border of the Macedonia and
Kosovo, where he is typically found accompanying and guarding
the great sheep flocks as they graze. Vane's Arkon from
Sterling Heights, Michigan USA.
Working life: The breed can also work cattle and
serve as a guard dog; it was bred and used as a military dog
under Marshal Josip Broz Tito and is still used so by the Army
of Serbia and Montenegro. The Šarplaninac is spreading
through ranches in North America as a serious sheep herding
dog and a livestock guardian. Predator problems are said to be
greatly diminished once a Šar takes responsibility for a
flock; Šarplaninac is one of rare dog breeds which can chase
away a wolf or a bear.
The Šarplaninac is a medium size dog with strong long-hair. It is compactly built, with a massive head, and strong and muscular legs.
Height in Male Dogs: 56-62cm (24 inch above)
Height in Female Dogs: 54-60cm (22.5 inch above)
Weight in Male Dogs: 35-45kg (77-99 lbs)
Weight in Female Dogs: 30-40kg(66-88 lbs)
Although much larger and heavy dogs exist, preferred size for Šarplaninacs is for male dogs 75cm and female dogs 70cm.
Coat: The coat is dense and medium in length; it can be rough or smooth. The coat is also about four inches (10 cm) long. The coat will benefit from occasional brushing. All Šarplaninac types are always solid in colour: tan, iron grey, white or almost black. The solid colour need not be completely uniform, and most Sars have several different shades of the same colour fading gradually into one another. There are no bicolours and no uniformly black-coated dogs among purebreds, but oddly-coloured specimens do exist.
Colour: Usually sable or gray with darker "overalls" on the head and back, the undercoat being paler. Almost all other colours are accepted, but the dogs must not have large white patches in their coat. There are several varieties of colors, by frequency of occurrence: Tiger Color with 30%, grey color with all the varieties 20%, Yellow color with black muzzle 20%, white color 20% and counter mask (muzzle).
Temperament: The temperament of the breed is described as independent, aloof with outsiders, and calm until a threat to the flock presents itself, when suddenly the Šarplaninac erupts into swift ferocity. The breed has a highly protective nature. In the absence of a flock of sheep, the Shar will often treat its humans as sheep - herding them away from danger or undesirable areas. They are serene and majestic, gentle with children and smaller dogs. They are also highly intelligent and bred to survive without human supervision while guarding the flocks in the high pastures. Young pups can kill small animals until trained not to hunt.
Working life: The Šarplaninac is a reserved and intuitive breed, naturally stubborn and undemonstrative, but once properly trained and handled with authority, it excels at a variety of tasks. Dog-aggression and wariness of strangers are common traits of the Šarplaninac, which is why early socialization is of utmost importance. Heavily-boned and muscular, the Illyrian Shepherd has a very rich full top-coat, with an abundant dense undercoat, making it fully weatherproof and suited for an outside life.
The Šarplaninac can win a fight with a wolf, lynx and even a Balkan bear. The breed can also work cattle and serve as a guard dog; it was bred and used as a military dog under Marshal Josip Broz Tito. The Šarplaninac is spreading through North American ranches as a serious sheep herding dog and a livestock guardian.
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