Caucasian Ovcharka in Protection Sports? - Page 1

Can a Caucasian Ovcharka compete/participate in any of the protection sports?

Any specific safety or breed considerations, especially from decoys, would be very welcome.

PS... I'd hate to be the decoy on the field, especially while the dog/puppy was just learning...


 

I don't know if you are asking if they are permitted or have the trainability to compete. They wouldn't do well in any of the traditional protection sports. Possibly in something like American Protection and Patrol Dog Association or K9 Pro Sports, which I see as pretty low level venues. The breed is for property protection, totally defense oriented and have a reputation for trying to bite the face.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm asking if they're permitted to compete. And since they're so large if there are any special safety considerations the handler and decoy should be aware of during competition.

Thanks.

No rules against it. You may have trouble finding a club that will want you or a decoy who will work with you. I doubt that one will be able to train to the level of competing, maybe in OB, possibly in tracking, but not much hope for man work.

Not saying that they can't be trained just it is not their thing and getting someone to help will be very hard if you are in the States.

I don't believe they are on the list of permissible breeds in French Ring. The Ovcharka typically does not have enough prey drive to do well in the 'traditional' dog sports, IMO.

back in 80s in our town was several caucasian shepherd dogs, imported by owners from russia. some owners did join our club with their dogs for training purpose. these dogs was not like GSDs. not to say they were worst, just definitely kind of dogs for another, less diverse purposes.
obedience trainability was equal to those can be seen with GSDs.
nose work and agility not so good but i believe this breed wasn't for that from start to go.
protection in fact was good, albeit definitely not the fight type, obtruding by well bred GSD.
the bottom line - good deterring/intimidating guard escort dog on the walk/hike/travel and pretty impressive argument at the household against potential property intruders.
for strongly build person, being properly dressed for fight with dog, decoying isn't the task more difficult than decoying GSD. from own experience i would say GSDs to be more dangerous, able to more improvise own fight but if i'm to face caucasian shepherd in real life without protective suit, my first thought definitely will be to climb nearest tree or something else, unreachable for that dog.

as for sport purpose... you should understand that sport is set of exercises, detached from real life use, thus any breed can be used for that, including hunt and toy breeds. ones need to be just dedicated and passionate toward set goal.

Thanks, Apple, Western Rider, Koots, and Valk for the info. I'll pass it on.

Valk,
You refer to sport as it is all a single entity, when in reality, some protection sports are much more challenging than others and hunting and toy breeds would not stand a chance in some of those sports. All training can be broken down into a set of exercises. Sport just specifies and organizes what the exercises are.

While I am still getting used to a stock coat GSD, with this breed I only see a grooming nightmare!
Great if you have a lot of property in the boonies with a job for the dog, but a house pet? I don't think these guys could jump over many obstacles in protection sports, maybe go through them, but not jump over them.
https://youtu.be/EMgFoNuheWE

My friend just imported one from Romania as a house pet and protector. They are by nature, extremely protective of their home and people. Otherwise, he said his pup is extremely lazy. He has no drive what-so-ever. Just lays around and sleeps unless he needs to get up. I'd venture to say, this breed is not a sport dog of any kind. lol

Brandi