Life Span:	12-14 years
Litter Size:	5-7 puppies per litter
Group:	Working
Recognized By:	FCI, UKC, ANKC, NKC, APRI, ACR
Color:	All coat colors and options are possible including solid colors, pintos brindles and particolors.
Hair Length:	Long, Medium
Size:	Extra Large
Shedding:	Lite Shed, Heavy Shed
Male Height:	27-32 inches (65-78 cm)
Male Weight:	121-176 pounds (55-79 kg)
Female Height:	24-27 inches (60-69 cm)
Female Weight:	88-143 pounds (40-65 kg)
Living Area:	Your Central Asian Ovtcharka will feel most comfortable outdoors. If, however, they need to be indoors, they can become accustomed to living in this manner as well. But because of their size and personality, it is not recommended that they live in an apartment simply because there will not be enough space and outdoor access for this large breed. The Central Asian Ovtcharka does best in moderate to cold climates and will need to have access to shade or air conditioned areas in very hot climates until the dog adjusts.

About this Breed

Some other aliases are Mid Asian Shepherd, Alabai, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and Sredneasiatskaia Ovtcharka. The Central Asian Ovtcharka has many different names as well as several different appearances depending on the particular area the dog was bred in. Overall the Central Asian Ovtcharka is a muscular, large Mastiff-type dog with a well balanced appearance and a commanding presence. Often at first glance those not familiar with this rare breed may assume it is mixed breed cross between a St. Bernard and a Mastiff. The body of the Central Asian Ovtcharka is very deep, thick and solid in appearance. The shoulders are massive and sloping, as are the hindquarters. The feet are large, round and somewhat arched, almost cat-like in appearance. The body tends to be relatively long and the back may be slightly arched in some variations of the breed whereas others have a very straight topline. It is estimated by breeders that there may be up to ten variations on the Central Asian Ovtcharka breed, ranging from those bred in Afghanistan to those bred in Russia. In some areas the tail is docked very short, while in others it is left natural and full length. The most common attribute of all the Central Asian Ovtcharka types is the large, intelligent looking head. The head should resemble a mastiff breed with wrinkling often prominent in some Central Asian Ovtcharkas. The muzzle is short with very little stop, and the eyes are dark, deep set and very alert. The ears are often cropped very short, but more and more this practice is banned, so the ears may be folded over and similar to that of St. Barnard. The head is considered to be bear shaped and the nose is very large and dark in all colors. This breed's coat comes in two different types which are short and long. The coat also comes in a large array of colors. The Central Asian Ovtcharka has a large chest, a wide back and is rugged with big bones. This breed has stronger shoulder muscles and great bones in their forelimbs as well as powerful thighs. Their back is not too long and it is also very strong.