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A South Russian Ovcharka, also known as a South Russian Sheepdog, is a big long-haired (12 centimeters) white sheepdog.
GENERAL: The Southrussian Ovcharka is one of the three
Ovcharka breeds from Russia. Originally the SRO comes from the
Crimea, which is in the Ukraine. The Russian word
"Ovcharka" means "sheepdog". The
Southrussian Ovcharka is officially named Youzhnorusskaya
Ovcharka, but is usually called SRO, Southrussian or Youzhak
for short.
The SRO belongs to FCI group 1, the group of shepherd dogs.
The SRO has been used as a (livestock) guarding dog back in
the former USSR.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT: Starting in 1797, there were
flock of sheep sold from Spain to Russia. These sheep had to
be brought to the steppe so they were driven over land, all
the way on foot; sometimes up to 2500 or 8000 sheep.
Transports like these could take two years and were
accompanied by shaggy haired sheepdogs. Once the sheep arrived
in Russia most of them were brought to Askania Nova, a large
area in the Crimea.
The small sheepdogs were crossed with local dogs such as
the Tartar (Caucasian) Ovcharka, the Crimean Greyhound and the
Hungarian Komondor, because there was a strong need for larger
dogs which were suitable to guard and protect the herds
against wolves and other predators. The ability to drive sheep
wasn't as relevant anymore.
Askania Nova was the largest and most well known "sheep
colony" in Russia. For a long time the breeding of SRO
was in the hands of the Falz-Fein family that owned Askania
Nova. By 1850 the SRO was already settled and widespread.
Records show about 2000 Ovcharkas, permanently working, with 4
or 5 dogs for every 1000 sheep.
In the 1870's the SRO reached its greatest numbers, after
which a decline set in, due to steppe reclamation for
agriculture, growing grains etc. And with a rather fast
decline in the number of wolves, the need for dogs also
reduced. When the Russian Revolution took place, Askania Nova
was almost completely plundered and destroyed. Most of the
dogs were killed or stolen, and many were shot because they
did not accept new masters. Thanks to the famous biologist
Prof. A. Brauner the SRO still exists. When he came to Askania
Nova in 1923 he only found a few young Ovcharkas. With the
help of military kennels, shepherds and other enthusiasts he
collected them. In 1928, after the foundation of a state
breeding center in Dzhankoi (Crimea), a successful
resurrection of the breed took place. The number of dogs
increased and they even found their way to other cities like
Moscow. In 1930 there were some official Russian entries at a
German dog show and in 1939 there was a special breed
exhibition in Simferopol.
When WW II started, the main kennels including the one in
Dzhankoi were fully destroyed. Only some SROs were left in
state kennels, in the Crimea and in Moscow. In Leningrad 5
SROs remained. To maintain some semblance of breed and
bloodline, these pure-breds were crossed with dogs of SRO-type
but unknown heritage. In 1947 the Komondor was used to acquire
fresh blood; in the 70's another Komondor cross was made.
SRO numbers have once again decreased drastically in the last
decades due to the bad economic situation in Russia and also
by fashion. Lots of dogs died because of a lack of medication
and food. Lots of people can't afford a Southrussian; people
who can want to have a fashionable breed of non-Russian
origin. Recently some new clubs in and around Moscow are
trying to popularize the SRO in Russia. In 1994 100
"Youzhaks" were entered in one Moscow show.
VITAL STATISTICS, CARE: SROs can become quite old. The
age of 10 till 12 years is not an exception. In general they
are healthy dogs. They are big, brisk and nimble with very
strong muscles. The minimum height is 62 cm for females and 65
cm for males. There is no maximum height.
Their coat distinct them from the other two Ovcharka breeds.
The hair is long (10-30 cm) all over the body and head, with
lots of furry undercoat. The topcoat feels like goat's hair,
the color is mostly white but some Southrussians are grey or
beige, or white with grey marks. The dog should be brushed
once a week, accepting grooming from puppyhood. The coat plays
an important role, protecting the dog against cold and warmth.
It is "self cleaning". Even when the weather is
dirty and rainy, the coats will be bright white when dried.
But all the dirt and sand will be on your floor! It is
possible to spin and knit the hair. It was done in Russia and
the knitting was used for medical treatment of rheumatism.
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