The Sharplaninatz Yugoslav sheepdog is one of the oldest breeds in the Balkans. The ancestors of this beautiful dog were used to guard livestock and homes of the people on Mount Shara. Originally recognized in 1939 as the Illyrian sheepdog, the breed was renamed in 1957.
The Sarplaninac, or Yugoslavian Mountain Dog, is a large dog, standing about 24 inches at the shoulder. The largest of these dogs weigh close to 100 pounds when full grown. The Sarplaninac is a sturdy, strong breed of dog with a big head and powerful body. Without proper training, these dogs can easily overpower their humans.
Personality
This breed has a personality as large as its body. The Sarplaninac has a fantastic temperament and is an excellent working dog. Highly territorial, the dog is suspicious of strangers. This attitude makes the Yugoslavian Mountain Dog an exceptional guard dog. Because of their inherent territorial nature, puppies must be socialized well. When owners take the time to raise and train their puppies the right way, they are rewarded with adult dogs that are both loyal to the family and accepting of friends and other animals while maintaining their natural guarding tendencies. Like other working breeds, these dogs are happiest when given a job to do. If you decide to welcome one of these dogs into your home, make sure to exercise its body as well as its mind to keep it from becoming bored and destructive. Do not expect this dog to be content to sit by your side and watch television.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 11 – 13 years |
| Nicknames: | The Yugoslavian Mountain Dog, The Charplaninatz, The Illyrian dog, The Yugoslav Mountain dog, The Macedonian-Yugoslav Shepherd dog, The Crne Gore |
Sarplaninac Build Information
The Sarplaninac, or Yugoslavian Mountain Dog, is a large dog, standing about 24 inches at the shoulder. The largest of these dogs weigh close to 100 pounds when full grown. The Sarplaninac is a sturdy, strong breed of dog with a big head and powerful body. Without proper training, these dogs can easily overpower their humans.
| Size: | Large |
Behaviour and Personality
This breed has a personality as large as its body. The Sarplaninac has a fantastic temperament and is an excellent working dog. Highly territorial, the dog is suspicious of strangers. This attitude makes the Yugoslavian Mountain Dog an exceptional guard dog. Because of their inherent territorial nature, puppies must be socialized well. When owners take the time to raise and train their puppies the right way, they are rewarded with adult dogs that are both loyal to the family and accepting of friends and other animals while maintaining their natural guarding tendencies. Like other working breeds, these dogs are happiest when given a job to do. If you decide to welcome one of these dogs into your home, make sure to exercise its body as well as its mind to keep it from becoming bored and destructive. Do not expect this dog to be content to sit by your side and watch television.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
Sarplaninacs have a long, rough coat that is incredibly thick. Matting can be a real concern with this breed. Care must be taken to maintain the coat. Daily brushings can keep the fur from becoming tangled. Owners that do not have the time or the dedication to daily brushings may want to keep their dog’s coat clipped short.
| Shedding: | Heavy |
| Grooming: | High maintenance |
Sarplaninac Common Health Conditions
There are no health issues that are common to this breed of dog. Because of their large size, the Sarplaninac may be prone to arthritis or joint and bone injuries. Care should be taken to avoid over-exercising the dog in order to prevent excessive stress on the joints, particularly of growing puppies.
Sarplaninac Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Sarplaninac coat colors include black, tan, white, and gray. The feathering of the dog’s coat makes the dog appear larger than it is. This breed of dog takes work very seriously, preferring to tend to its flock than to bond with its humans. The Sarplaninac normally selects one human in the family to bond with. This dog is not the typical family pet, being better suited to a life of work than a life of leisure. The Sarplaninac is also known as the Charplaninatz, the Illyrian dog, the Yugoslav mountain dog, the Macedonian-Yugoslav shepherd dog, and the Crne Gore
| Training: | Moderately easy |
