Dog Breeds that Start with R

The bite of a Russian Bear Dog is stronger than a lion’s bite.

Russian Bear Dogs, commonly referred to as Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, were originally bred to protect flocks of sheep in the Caucasus Mountain region of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, North Ossetia, and Dagestan. The breed was developed in the 1920s from similar dogs in the Caucasuses. This breed is sometimes also used when hunting bears. They are a very large breed, with some dogs weighing around 200 pounds, and they have very strong protective instincts.

Due to their size and these protective instincts, Russian Bear Dogs are best suited for homes with experienced owners. They will require a lot of training. However, when they get this training, they can be quite loving and affectionate to the people in their family. Russian Bear Dogs may also be referred to as Caucasian Mountain Dogs, Baskhan (Karachay) Pariy, Caucasian Ovcharka Dogs, or CO.

Ownership: 3 Pros and Cons

Pros!	Cons!
Loyal and Protective: A Caucasian Ovcharka Dog is loyal and protective of the people he loves.	Challenging to train: These dogs can be quite stubborn and challenging to train. They do best with an experienced trainer.
Affectionate: Caucasian Mountain Dogs can be very affectionate with their family members.	Distrusting of strangers: Caucasian Ovcharka Dogs do not trust strangers or other animals. Without proper training, they can become aggressive.
Low exercise needs: Compared with many other breeds, a Russian Bear Dog does not require too much exercise each day.	Large: These dogs are very large, with some animals weighing around 200 pounds. They can be difficult to control and will require more food than other dogs.

Size and Weight

The Russian Bear Dog is a giant dog breed. Full-grown males and females typically weigh between 99 and 170 pounds with a height of 23 to 30 inches. One-month-old puppies only weigh 8 to 15 pounds, but by the time the dogs are just four months old, they can weigh between 55 and 133 pounds. They may not finish growing until they are two years old.

As an adult, males and females are both between 23-30 inches in height and 99-170 pounds in weight.

Temperament and Behavior

Caucasian Mountain Dogs can be very loyal to their family members. They have protective instincts and want to keep those they love safe. However, this breed requires an experienced owner and strong training since their distrust of strangers and other animals may lead them to display aggressive behaviors.

With proper training and a good home, these dogs will often display a more laid-back and loving personality when around the people they trust. Their personality, coupled with the right training, can make them a good addition to homes with older children.

Common Health Issues

Overall, these dogs are a healthy breed. However, there are still a few potential health concerns.

Hip dysplasia is one of the potential health concerns faced by the Russian Bear dog, as with many other large dog breeds. The ball and socket joint at the hip do not fit together properly in dogs with hip dysplasia and rub against each other. This deteriorates the joint over time and can make it very painful and difficult for a dog to walk. Surgery is often needed for this condition.

These dogs may also develop cataracts. Cataracts, which are when the crystalline lens in the eye becomes very cloudy, may be very small or could cloud the entire lens. Older Caucasian Ovcharka Dogs are more likely to develop cataracts and may require surgery.

Obesity is another common health concern faced by these dogs. Working with your veterinarian to determine the right amount of food and exercise is important.

As a recap, here are a few of the common health problems Russian Bear Dogs may face:

• Hip dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Obesity

Best Dog Food

Since Russian Bear dogs are so massive and prone to obesity, it’s important to give them natural, high-quality, nutrient-dense food. To build and keep lean muscle, Russian Bears need food high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

That makes Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food the perfect food for Russian Bear dogs.

It’s overflowing with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and protein from quality meat sources with glucosamine to reduce joint dysplasia risk and taurine to keep cataracts at bay.

Check Chewy or Amazon for this product.

When looking for food for your dog, choose an option that is specifically formulated for giant breeds. These dogs should be fed high-quality food that will meet their nutritional needs. Since this breed is prone to obesity, be sure to create and stick with a meal plan and feeding times to prevent overeating. Your veterinarian is a good source if you are unsure which food is right for your pup’s specific needs or how much it should be fed each day.

A puppy has a smaller stomach than its adult parents and will need to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Check with your veterinarian about how much food you should be feeding your puppy and how often he or she should eat.

Maintenance and Grooming

The coat of these dogs can vary. Some dogs have long coats, while others are shorter. The length of your dog’s coat will impact how often it should be groomed, with longer-haired dogs requiring daily brushing. Shorter-haired dogs should still be brushed, but brushing once a week should be sufficient.

Don’t forget to also trim your dog’s nails as they grow in very quickly. This will keep them from getting too long and splitting or making it uncomfortable for the dog to walk. Also, check and clean their ears to keep them free of debris and wax build-up and brush their teeth regularly.

Training

Training one of these dogs can be a challenge. This breed is best suited for experienced owners who are familiar with the training that will be required. These dogs are also very protective and do not respond well to strangers entering a home. You should begin training and socializing your Caucasian Mountain Dog as soon as you bring him or her home for the best results.

Exercise

While these dogs are a relatively low-energy breed, they still should be given regular exercise. Take your dog for daily walks or give them time to run and play in a fenced-in backyard. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are also prone to obesity, so making sure your dog gets enough exercise is important for helping them maintain a healthy weight.

Puppies

Be prepared for your puppy to grow quickly. You may need to have larger crates, beds, and collars available for your pup to grow into. You should also make sure you have a safe and puppy-proof space for your dog inside your house. Remove anything that could be a potential hazard to the puppy and anything that you wouldn’t want to see damaged.

Children

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can make a good family pet for homes with older children. With proper training, this breed can be very loyal and loving. They are not well-suited for homes with toddlers or young children due to their large size and less predictable behavior.

Similar Dogs

Tibetan Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are three breeds that are similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

• Tibetan Mastiff: Tibetan Mastiffs and Russian Bear Dogs are both giant dog breeds. Both breeds were also created to be protective and can be challenging to own and train. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do better with older children and families than Tibetan Mastiffs, however.
• Irish Wolfhound: Irish Wolfhounds are another giant dog breed. Like the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, they can weigh well over 100 pounds. Irish Wolfhounds are taller with an average height of 31.5 inches compared to a Caucasian Shepherd Dog’s average height of 26.5 inches. Both breeds are easy to groom and shed moderately. The Irish Wolfhound is not very territorial and will not make a great watchdog, unlike the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
• Bernese Mountain Dog: Bernese Mountain Dogs and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are very territorial and can both make good watchdogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs are also large, but males only weigh an average of 97.5 pounds compared to the 150-pound average weight of a male Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs are also more intelligent and easier to train than Russian Bear Dogs.

Famous

Looking to follow some “famous” Russian Bear Dogs? Check out these fun pups on Instagram:

• Blue the Russian Bear Dog: A 3-year-old dog from Montana.
• Clifford the Russian Bear Dog: A fun-loving dog with 70 followers.
• Khaos the Russian Bear Dog: A dog who loves the outdoors and has 61 Instagram followers.

Popular Names

Looking for the right name for your Caucasian Shepherd Dog? See if one of the names below seems like a good fit:

• Alexi
• Viktor
• Evgeny
• Ivan
• Boris
• Natasha
• Katya
• Sacha
• Anna
• Alina