Bucovina Shepherd – The Rare Shepherd Dog from Romania.

Very uncommon outside Romania, Bucovina Shepherds are one of the strongest livestock protectors. Bucovina is a giant dog breed, but in comparison to other mountain dogs, their build is lighter. They have an imposing look and oversized double coat fluffy body. Bucovina Shepherd are now often chosen as companion dogs by people due to their loyalty and dependability. Their powerful physical structure aids them in fulfilling their function as guard dogs.

History

Bucovina shepherd dogs are one of the ancient dog breeds to be known. The precise date of their emergence is unknown due to a lack of records. However, by the 1700s, when Romania's mountainous territory was conquered by Austro-Hungarians, they were firmly established.

While most people believe the breed is descended from the Mastiff, some believe it originated with the Dogues and Alaunts.

Dogs were constantly present with the Romans, primarily to protect their livestock but also to fight in the war. As a result, the Bucovina is an old dog breed that has witnessed a change in its country's history. 

Appearance

The Bucovina Shepherds are smaller in stature than most other huge or gigantic mountain breeds, but their coats are more vibrant. Their fur is dense, lengthy, and somewhat abrasive to the touch. The coat is their most valuable possession; it permits them to resist the bitter cold of the Shepherd's homeland's steep highlands. Bucovina is usually white with black, brown, brindle, or sand blotches. 

The face and head are massive and intimidating, yet they are proportionate to their sturdy, solid physique. The eyes are tiny and practically slating in compared to the other measurements of the head. The cheeks, on the other hand, are not particularly pronounced, resting near a set of ‘V-shaped ears with rounded tips. Heading down to the neck, there are no dewlaps, although the region is rather substantial and powerful.

Do Male and Female Bucovina Differ in Size?

The male Bucovina is much heavier and taller in size compared to the female dog. The former weighs 121 to 154 lb with a height range of 27 to 31 inches, while females weigh 99 to 132 lb with a height range of 25 to 28 inches. 

Personality

Bucovina shepherd dogs were specifically designed to defend herds of cattle and sheep, and they excel at it. They make excellent watchdogs and are extremely dedicated to their owners. These dogs look to be calm and balanced, yet they are not trusting of strangers in the least. They are exceedingly brave and never give up in the face of danger. Any trespassing on their land is strongly discouraged by a powerful, piercing bark.

Bucovina has a stable, calm, friendly, and loyal temperament. Pleasing their owner and love to play with children make them excellent companions and family dogs. 

It doesn't matter whether it's a herd of sheep they are protecting or a human, Bucovina is courageous and devoted to its pack. They will never back off from a difficult situation. 

Grooming

Due to the thick, long coat of the Bucovina Shepherd, there are certain maintenance difficulties, such as maintaining that magnificent coat from matting. This can be avoided with daily thorough brushing or no more than every other day.

How Much Bucovina Shepherds Shed?

Though they have a beautiful dense double coat, Bucovina shepherds shed a lot of hair all year long. It does not matter what month of the year it is, they shed constantly. If you don't like dog hair on your furniture or rugs, this is not the dog for you. 

If your summers are hot, a professional groomer may be necessary to trim your dog, but the Bucovina Shepherd is quite versatile and can adjust to most conditions. They require bathing when it is really needed. 

Care & Training

Taking good care of your pup ensures his stay is comfortable with good health. Giving them a vast, spacious garden to patrol would be beneficial since it would allow them to demonstrate their natural, territorial guarding behavior. The Bucovina Shepherds are too large and active for an apartment and keep in mind that they have a thunderous bark that will not appeal to your neighbors.

How Often Should I Exercise Bucovina Shepherds?

Bucovina shepherds have an ancestry of being a watchdog. They have high energy and endurance levels. Without getting tired, they can walk all day. Bucovina needs at least 80 to 170 min outdoor stimulation in the form of long walks or any endurance game.

Their endless energy requires outdoor activities to burn off some steam. Challenge them with running, agility sports, or even a swim. They are pleasantly lively dogs that will appreciate participating in family activities.

Do Bucovina Shepherd Dogs Require Special Trainers?

Bucovina is a tough and intelligent dog breed. They proved to be self-sufficient dogs throughout history. Because they are not very eager to please, their brilliance may frequently work against you. Thus, this tough breed is not recommended for new trainers. 

They need experienced trainers, as their training has to be monitored carefully. Bucovina tries to be their own boss with minimum assistance. The trainer needs to be patient and consistent with their training. 

FUN FACTS

• Bucovina are known to scare off wolves and bears.
• They have a light body as compared to their closest related mastiffs. 
• The shepherd dog comes in various colors like brindle, black, white, brown, and pied.  
• They are known as Gentle Giants because of their soft side for children.

Monkoodog Member since November 13, 2021