Karakachan: Livestock Guardian Dog Breed
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The Karakachan is a lesser known breed in the United States. However, these dogs’ dedication to their families and their ability to protect is increasing their popularity daily. If you’re interested in owning a Karakachan Shepherd Dog, you may be interested in finding out...
Does the Karakachan make a good livestock guardian? Yes, Karakachans have been used for centuries to guard livestock from large predators in their native land. These dogs are ideal if you need to protect your farm from wolves or bears.
Does the Karakachan make a good pet? Yes, Karakachans can make wonderful family companions if properly trained, exercised, and socialized. They are not meant for apartment or city living and they are not recommended for first-time or inexperienced dog owners.
Karakachans have many qualities that make them good livestock guardian dogs, property guardians, or family companions. However, it is important to learn about their temperament and history as well as how to properly care for this breed before you decide to add one (or more!) to your household. And for information on how to train livestock guardian dog breeds with positive methods, check out a review on my favorite training program here.
Other Names: Bulgarian Shepherd Dog, Thracian Mollos, Karakachan Shepherd Dog
Karakachan at a Glance
| Characteristics | Karakachan |
|---|---|
| Male Size |
Height: 26-30" Weight: 99-135 lbs |
| Female Size |
Height: 25-28" Weight: 88-125 lbs |
| Barking Frequency | Low-moderate, will bark at perceived threats |
| Fencing Required | Strong |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Human Aggression | Suspicious of strangers, gentle with children |
| Other Dog Aggression | Can be high |
| Training | Early socialization recommended, can be challenging to train |
| Coat | Double coat, short- and long-haired varieties |
| Grooming | Moderate-high |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Age to Maturity | ~3 years |
| Cost (in U.S.) | $800-$1000+ |
| Food Requirements | 2070-5480 cal/day |
| Health Problems | Hip and elbow displasia, bloat |
| Similar Breeds | Caucasian Ovcharka, Central Asian Shepherd |
| Availability (in U.S.) | Uncommon |
Karakachan Personality/Temperament
Livestock Guardian Traits
“This livestock guardian dog has always been the only effective traditional protection against predators…it is a key factor in solving the predator-man conflict and consequently saving large carnivores…these are the dogs which live and die as soldiers.”
The Karakachan is well-known for its independence, diligence, and hard-working tendencies. Because of their history as a landrace breed, there is quite a bit of variability in both their personality/temperament and their working characteristics. Some dogs are very headstrong, while others are more eager to please their caretaker.
This breed also varies in their reactivity – some will bark at anything that passes and will chase off any predator while others stay closer to their charges and use less aggressive techniques to keep their livestock safe.
In any case, Karakachans are always alert and observant and can be seen patrolling and guarding their charges constantly. These dogs also have been known to mark their territory – this is a strong signal to other canines (like wolves) that their area is not to be trifled with. They will bark to warn of predators and strangers, and will chase off wolves (up to 2 kilometers!) if they come too close to their territory.
Traditionally, due to the extremely high predator load in their native land, they were expected to demonstrate an immense amount of confidence and ferocity to ensure the same pack of wolves did not come back for a second attempt at their charges. Karakachans typically work best in at least twos or threes, if not more. That way, older dogs can stay back with the flock while younger, more agile dogs can go after predators and patrol the perimeter.
Sider, the Karakachan expert quoted above, says (in the book Brave and Loyal, here on Amazon) that the best, most successful combination of dogs is to have two females and four males. He has said that females tend to bond with the flock more, but don’t attack as well as males.
Sider says that with females in the mix, the males tend to perform better – perhaps out of natural instinct to protect those capable of continuing the breed. He also believes it is better to get puppies in pairs but stagger when you purchase them so older dogs can help teach and train the younger dogs.
For more on livestock guardian dog genders (and which gender you should run), see my article, Male or Female Livestock Guardian Dogs: Which Is Better for Your Needs?
For more on determining how many livestock guardian dogs you need to run, see my article, How Many Livestock Guardian Dogs You Need.
While fierce against predators, Karakachans are loving and tender with their livestock and tend to bond closely to them. These dogs are also notably more “people-friendly” than many other livestock guardian breeds, and tend to bark and roam less frequently. This can be a plus if you have neighbors who live in close proximity.
Some sources say that these dogs are also really great with children. However, because of their size, they should be monitored during playtime with children simply because they are so big. If introduced properly, they can also get along with other family pets.
Even as a working dog, they will need extensive socialization so they are not overly aggressive towards family pets, children, and visitors. Karakachans will also need quite a bit of training. They are strong-willed and extremely intelligent – many owners of this breed have said that the dogs are so smart, they won’t follow commands they do not agree with!
For help with obedience training using positive methods, I highly recommend the online program, Brain Training for Dogs (affiliate link). For a thorough review of what the program includes, the things I love about it, and the things I dislike about it, see my review article here.
If you are thinking of getting Karakachans for livestock guardian purposes, you may also be interested in:
Karakachan Pet Traits
With the proper training and socialization, any dog can become a loyal and well-behaved family companion, including a Karakachan dog. However, prospective Karakachan owners should be aware that although these dogs are sweet-tempered and well-mannered with their own families, they still have guardian instincts and will become highly protective.
This is why socialization is even more important with this breed versus some others. Whenever my uncle used to come to town, he would give my dad a punch in the arm and get him in a playful head lock – you know, typical brother behavior. However, if we’d had a Karakachan in the house, my uncle might have suffered some damage. They take any threat seriously.
Karakachans are playful and typically can be trusted around children. However, due to their size, it is important to supervise. This is also true of any interactions with unknown humans or animals. They will feel the need to protect against anything or anyone who is unfamiliar.
Training this breed can be a bit of a challenge. Karakachans are very intelligent dogs, so smart that they will often only follow commands when they feel like it. If you are considering adding Karakachans to your household, be certain you understand how to train using positive methods, and that you are willing to put considerable time and effort into your training your dogs.
If you want to learn how to obedience train your dog using positive training methods, check out the online program, Brain Training for Dogs (affiliate link). This program is perfect for people who want to raise a livestock guardian dog as a pet. If you want to know why, see my review article here.
For those interested in owning a Karakachan as a companion animal, it is important to note that these dogs were bred to work. Therefore, they will require a great deal of exercise in order to keep them healthy and happy. They do not do well in apartments or small spaces. It is better if they have a well-fenced yard to play and roam around in, in addition to long, daily walks or runs.
The Karakachan is a double-coated breed and will need to be brushed multiple times per week. Brushing will need to occur daily during shedding seasons.
While Karakachans can be more high maintenance than other breeds, they also can make the best of pets. Many Karakachan caretakers can attest to their dogs’ protective, but sometimes silly, and always loving nature.
If you are thinking of getting a Karakachan as a pet, you may also be interested in:
Karakachan Livestock Guardian Dog History
Place of Origin: Bulgaria
Traditional Livestock Guarded: Sheep
Traditional Predators: Wolves, bears
Karakachan Livestock Guardian Dog Lifestyle
Karakachans are an ancient breed whose job was to guard sheep in the mountains of Bulgaria during the summer months. During the winter season, they assisted in guarding the sheep while they moved to the lowlands. These pastures, in lower elevations, provided superior protection to the elements.
These dogs were also used by the people of their namesake – Karakachans – a nomadic people who traveled all over Bulgaria. They sold sheep’s milk products and grazed with their horses, sheep, and livestock guardian dogs that protected them from the large predators in the area – wolves and bears.
Even when the greater Bulgarian culture began to change, the Karakachan people retained their own language and their own breeds of animals. They kept their traditions and remained rather isolated until the early 20th century when the communist government took over. At this point, flocks and farms in their entirety were nationalized. The Karakachan people were highly victimized, and their nomadic ways of life forcibly ceased.
Many of the large predators were poisoned and therefore eliminated the need for the Karakachan dogs. The government was vicious towards these dogs. Many were killed – some of their skins were even marketed to the fur industry. The dogs who survived were integrated into the remaining stocks of sheep at certain government farms.
Post-communist control, the government farms were eventually closed. Unfortunately, this also caused the loss of more Karakachan dogs.
As livestock rearing made a comeback, so did the country’s natural predators. Bulgaria now has one of the highest populations (per capita) of wolves and bears in Europe! Bulgarians recognized the need to save their native breeds of livestock guardian dogs and began searching out traditional animals that had not been touched by cross-breeding.
Even today, those who breed Karakachans are required to disperse their puppies to other homesteads and livestock owners to aid in the protection against predators. The Karakachan dogs have truly made their comeback and have become an important symbol of the Bulgarian people. In fact, they have become so cherished that George W. Bush was actually gifted a Karakachan puppy when he visited the country in 2003!
Around that time, a small collection of American farm owners started to import Karakachan dogs. They remain rare in the United States with only an estimated population of 100-200 dogs. However, their reputation as wonderful livestock guardian dogs has helped increase their popularity.
Other Karakachan Jobs
The Karakachan has primarily been used as a livestock guardian dog and a companion animal. However, there is some evidence that suggests they may have also been used to haul dairy carts and other sheep-related products.
Karakachan Appearance
Karakachan Size
Height: 26-30 inches (males), 25-28 inches (females)
Weight: 99-135 lbs. (males), 88-125 lbs. (females)
For more on LGD breed sizes, check out my article, Livestock Guardian Dog Sizes.
Karakachan Colors
As a landrace breed, the Karakachan comes in a wide variety of colors and types. They typically are black, brown, brindle (described as having a slight “tiger-striped appearance), sable (black-tipped hairs), or pied (white patched) colors. White dogs with dark spots are increasingly popular, though somewhat rare.
Karakachan Coat
Karakachan dogs come in two coat varieties – short-haired and long-haired. Both varieties have a double coat. They have a dense undercoat that helps with insulation from both cold and hot temperatures. The top coat is typically fairly stiff and straight.
Karakachan Head
The Karakachan has a very large, broad head equipped with a black nose and hazel or brown colored eyes. They have v-shaped ears that typically lay flat on the side of their heads. Traditionally, one of the dog’s ears was cropped to help them hear better. However, this practice (very painful for the dogs) has largely gone by the wayside as it is illegal in most European countries and frowned upon in the United States.
Karakachan Body
Karakachans are a tall dog with broad backs and strong, wide chests. Their bodies are well-muscled and athletic in appearance.
Karakachan Tail
The Karakachan comes with a variety of tail styles. Some have natural bobbed tails, some have short tails, and still others have long-plumed tails. Again, these variabilities are due to their lack of human-inference in their breeding.
Karakachan Grooming
The Karakachan breed will require quite a bit of grooming. They will need to be brushed a few times per week to prevent matting or debris build up in their coat. During their seasonal sheds, they will need to be brushed daily to assist in ridding their coat of all their excess fur.
Luckily, they do not need a bath very often – doing so will actually strip their fur of natural, protective oils. This truly is helpful as bathing a mammoth sized dog is quite the undertaking! To properly groom your Karakachan you’ll need a pin brush, comb, and a deshedding brush. See our upcoming article about grooming for more extensive tips and tricks.
As with all working dogs and/or dogs with floppy ears, you will need to check and clean their ears regularly to prevent ear infections and dirt build up.
Nail clipping is not always required in working dogs as their nails naturally file down. However, it is important to always check their nails to ensure they are not cracking or splitting. If you do need to clip their nails, either have a professional do it or make sure you have industrial strength nail clippers to ensure you do not damage their nails.
Teeth brushing is recommended every few days. It is also important to take your Karakachan in for a yearly professional tooth cleaning to prevent decay and buildup.
For everything you could ever want to know about grooming Karakachans, check out my guide, Grooming Karakachans: The Ultimate Guide.
Karakachan Diet/Eating Habits
The caloric needs of Karakachan dogs will vary depending on their size and their level of activity. Males can require between 2260 and 5480 calories per day, and females will typically need between 2070 and 5175 calories. See the table below for more specific estimates:
| Karakachan | Light Activity | Moderate Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 2260-3290 | 2605-3835 | 3040-5480 |
| Female | 2070-3105 | 2385-3620 | 2785-5175 |
For any dog, it is important to feed a balanced diet. However, with Karakachans (or other working breeds) it is crucial to feed them balanced proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in order to keep them in the best physical condition possible. Some Karakachans have been known to do well on a raw food diet. For the most specific information regarding your Karakachan, it is always best to consult your veterinarian.
If you have a Karakachan as a family companion, it is incredibly important to watch their diet as large breed dogs are prone to obesity if overfed and under exercised.
For advice on how to properly feed your Karakachan, check out these resources:
Karakachan Lifespan
Karakachans are expected to live between 12 and 14 years. They reach maturity around 3 years of age, and at this time can usually be trusted independently with a flock.
For more information on livestock guardian dog lifespans, what to expect from puppies, and how to care for older dogs, see my article, What is the Lifespan of a Livestock Guardian Dog.
Karakachan Cost
Karakachans typically go for $800 - $1000 in the United States. However, this greatly depends upon the quality and reputation of the breeder, availability of puppies, and the parents’ working history. If importing a Karakachan puppy, you make expect this amount to at least double.
If you are interested in adopting a Karakachan from a rescue, check out my article, Rescue Livestock Guardian Dogs – Should You Get One?
Karakachan Health Problems
Because this breed has not been extensively bred, it is typically a very healthy dog. It does come with the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia as well as bloat, like any large breed dog.
Livestock Guardian Dogs Similar to Karakachans
Karakachan dogs have been said to share common ancestors with both Caucasian Ovcharkas and Central Asian Shepherds. They are all under the umbrella of the “Molossers.” For more on these other breeds, check out my articles, Caucasian Ovcharkas and Central Asian Shepherds.
You May Also Be Interested in:
Brain Training for Dogs: The Best Online Obedience Training Program for Livestock Guardian Dogs
The Ultimate Obedience Training Program for Pet Karakachans: Brain Training for Dogs
The Best Livestock Guardian Dog Toys: Top Recommendations from DOZENS of Great Pyrenees Owners!
