Šarplaninac
Šarplaninac
Alternative names
Charplaninatz Illyrian Sheepdog/Shepherd Kosovo Mountain Dog Kosovo Shepherd Dog Macedonian Mountain Dog Macedonian Shepherd Dog Šar Planinac (or Šar Planinec) Yugoslavian Herder Yugoslavian Mountain Dog Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 2 Section 2 #041	Stds
CKC:	Miscellaneous Class	[? Stds]
	The CKC Miscellaneous group is for breeds working towards full CKC recognition.
UKC:	Guardian Dogs	Stds

The Šarplaninac (Шарпланинац) (pronounced "shar-pla-NEE-natz") (Macedonian:Šarplaninec) (Albanian:Qen i Sharrit) is a medium-sized shepherd dog breed of the Balkan region. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) (English, World Canine Organization), is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium. ... The Canadian Kennel Club (or C.K.C.) is the primary registry body for purebred dog pedigrees in Canada. ... The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. ... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog Canis lupus is a type of canine, a mammal in the order Carnivora. ... This Chihuahua mix and Great Dane show the wide range of dog breed sizes. ... Balkan peninsula with northwest border Isonzo-Krka-Sava The Balkans is the historic and geographic name used to describe a region of southeastern Europe. ...

Appearance

The showbreed "Sar" stands between 26 and 30 inches (65-75 cm) in height and weighs 77 to 99 pounds (35-45 kg). However, the pure breed out of 'old' Yugoslavia generally weighs approximately 165 lbs

Black puppy Šarplaninac in Macedonia

In colour it is tan, iron grey, white or black. 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 brushings.

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. In the absence of a flock of sheep, the Šar 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 denude a property of small animals until trained not to hunt.

History

The name comes from the Šar mountain range (Šar Planina) spanning the border of the Macedonia and Serbia, where he is typically found accompanying and guarding the great sheep flocks as they graze. The Šar mountain (Serbian Шар планина, Šar Planina; Albanian Malet e Sharrit, Sharr) is a mountain on the border of Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia. ... Anthem: Bože pravde (English: God of Justice) Capital (and largest city) Belgrade Official languages Serbian written with the Cyrillic alphabet1 Government Republic  - President Boris Tadić  - Prime Minister Vojislav KoÅ¡tunica Establishment    - Formation 8th century   - Independence c. ...

Vane's Arkon from Sterling Heights, Michigan USA

While the origins of the breed are obscured by history, it is believed by some that Sars' ancestry dates back to the time of Alexander. It is also believed that the original mountain sheppard dog (based in the Mollos family) was cross bred with wolves during the Middle Ages to create the 'modern' Sar (certainly the modern Sar resembles a wolf in movement). The pure breed (as opposed to the show breed, which has been recognized since the mid-late 1930s) was protected by the Yugoslavian government until the country broke up.

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 first known F.C.I. registered import to arrive in North America came directly from Skopje, Macedonia near the Sar Planina Mountains in the early 1970s. Vasa Cubaleski, a business owner in Glendale California had a white Sar bitch puppy carried off the mountain on the back of a donkey and flown to the U.S. Ownership of that bitch was eventually transferred to Marjorie E. Rucker, a breed enthusiast. Ms. Rucker had that bitch, Bistra, bred to stock later imported by the New England Dog Project at Hampshire College in New England. Offspring from that breeding as well as later litters are now distributed and working throughout the U.S. on sheep ranches. This does not cite its references or sources. ... The military of Serbia and Montenegro includes the Army of Serbia and Montenegro (Vojska Srbije i Crne Gore - VSCG), which includes ground forces with internal and border troops, naval forces, air and air defense forces, and civil defense. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... Wolf Wolf Man Mount Wolf Wolf Prizes Wolf Spider Wolf 424 Wolf 359 Wolf Point Wolf-herring Frank Wolf Friedrich Wolf Friedrich August Wolf Hugo Wolf Johannes Wolf Julius Wolf Max Franz Joseph Cornelius Wolf Maximilian Wolf Rudolf Wolf Thomas Wolf As Name Wolf Breidenbach Wolf Hirshorn Other The call... Genera Ailuropoda Helarctos Melursus Ursus Tremarctos Arctodus (extinct) A bear is a small mammal in the family Ursidae of the order Carnivora. ...