Macedonian Shepherd Dog Karaman

		Macedonian Shepherd Dog Karaman
		FCI standard Nº 378

Origin		North Macedonia
Group		Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Section		Section 2.2 Molossian type - Mountain type
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Wednesday 11 February 2026
Publication of the official valid standard		Wednesday 11 February 2026
Last update		Thursday 5 March 2026
En français, cette race se dit		Chien de berger macédonien Karaman
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Mazedonischer Schäferhund Karaman
En español, esta raza se dice		Perro pastor macedonio de Karaman
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Macedonische Herdershond Karaman
This breed is also known as		Makedonsko Ovcarsko Kuce - Karaman Makedonski Pastirski Pas - Karaman Black Macedonian Shepherd Dog Karaman Macedonian Karaman Sharplaninatz Macedonian Karaman Makedonski Ovcarski Pas Karaman Sarplaninec Makedonski Karaman Crni Makedonski Ovcar - Karaman

Usage

A dog for active protection of the sheep and property, worthy, valuable and capable of standing on very low as well as very high temperatures.

Brief historical summary

The Macedonian Shepherd Dog is an autochthonous breed whose origin is connected with stockbreeding settlements in Macedonia and the nomadic migrations of the stockbreeders. It is bred continuously centuries ago as a protector of the herds in Macedonia. The stockbreeders had a special cult towards these dogs and for them, it was always a mythical dog. Written records of these dogs can be found in folk songs, but motifs of Karaman are also found on medieval frescoes and iconostases. The most important artefact on which the Karaman is presented is the fresco in the church of St. George in Kurbinovo, Prespa, painted in 1191 and is part of the logotype of the club. The breed is preserved in its authentic form until nowadays by the stockbreeders, whose lives were in constant movement from the summer to the winter pastures.

General appearance

The body is compact, with a strong constitution covered with a medium-long coat with black or black and tan colour. The average length of the coat at the withers is 9.5 cm. The presence of tan markings is possible. Very resistant with the capability of moving fast.

Important proportions

• The body is rectangular and the length of the body is 10-12% more than the height at the withers.
• The depth of the chest is approximately 45% of the height at the withers.
• The length of the head is 41-43% of the height at withers.
• The length of the muzzle is slightly shorter than of the length of the skull.

Behaviour / temperament

Reserved towards strangers, but when guarding the stock and the property is determined and brave. Calm, good-hearted, precautious while guarding. Stable and fearless with no aggression at all, independent, and very intelligent. Proud and dignified of every trust. Affectionate and loyal to its owner.

Head
The profile lines of the muzzle and the skull are slightly divergent.
Cranial region
Skull		Strong, longer than wide, slightl narrowing towards the stop. In profile, only slightly rounded.
Stop		Clear, slightly pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		Black pigmented. Large with well-opened nostrils.
Muzzle		Slightly shorter than the skull. From the stop towards the nose is slightly narrowing.
Lips		The edges of the lips are black pigmented. The lower lip could be a bit loose, but not visible under the edge of the upper lip. The corner of the lips is closed.
Jaws and teeth		The jaws are strong and well developed. The teeth in the upper and lower jaw are strong, well-positioned and correctly placed with strong canines. Scissor bite is desirable. Allowed forms of bite are also level (pincer) bite and reverse scissor bite. Absence of 2xP1 and 2xM3 is not considered a fault.
Eyes		Large and well set apart with almond shape. Tight fitting, black eye rims. No trace of white should be visible when the dog is looking forward. The third eyelid is not visible. The colour of the eyes is preferably dark brown, or chestnut colour. Slightly lighter shades can be accepted.
Ears		Medium high set, when the dog is alert, carried a bit higher. Triangular shape with slightly rounded tips. Hanging, closed to the cheeks. The length of the ears is around 45% of the length of the head.

Neck

Must be strong and muscular. The length is almost the same as the length of the head. Well covered with dense hair. The upper line is slightly arched. Carried at an angle not more than 40° to the horizontal.

Body
Body		Rectangular in shape.
Topline		It is slightly sloping from the withers towards the middle of the back (2-3%), further gradually rising and the front part of the croup is slightly higher compared with the withers.
Withers		Strong, well set, slightly pronounced.
Back		Firm, well-muscled, with medium length, well connected with the loins.
Loin		Firm, muscled, with medium length, well connected with the back and the croup.
Croup		Must be well muscled, well connected with the loins. The pelvis is strong, set at an angle of 30° to the horizontal.
Chest		Well developed, the lower edge of the chest bone is a bit above the elbows. The ribs are strong with good spring. The chest is long enough.
Underline and belly		Underline slightly tucked up.

Tail

Medium high set, has harmonious continuation of the spine. It reaches out to the hock joint. Strong at the root, at the top could be slightly curved like a hook. In repose, it is carried low and is slightly curved, but when alert and in movement carried high and curved above the back along the spine. The tail gradually closes in the shape of a sickle with a hook at the tip. When loosened, the end of the tail might be curved like a hook at the tip.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		With strong bones. Front legs stand parallel.
Shoulders		Moderate laid back, muscular.
Upper arm		Must be closed fitted to the body, muscular. Well connected with the shoulder blade and the forearm. It is nearly the same length as the shoulder blade. The average value of the shoulder angle is 110°.
Elbows		Firm, enables easy movement. Nor turning in, nor out.
Forearm		With strong bones and muscles.
Carpal		Strong.
Pastern		Strong, slightly sloping seen from the side, elastic.
Forefeet		Slightly oval, medium-sized, strong with firm pads. Black and short nails are desired.

Hindquarters
Generality		Strong, looked from behind standing parallel, with strong bones.
Upper thigh		Strong, well muscled. The average length is approximately 40% of the height at the withers.
Stifle		Moderately bent with an average angle of 125°.
Lower thigh		Strong, well muscled.
Hock		Must be firm and well let down. Neither too high, nor too low.
Metatarsus		Parallel, strong, vertical, with moderate length.
Hind feet		Firm. The pads are dark-pigmented and resistant. Toes arched and tight. Nails, preferably black. The presence of declaws is permitted.

Gait and movement

Energetic, elastic, harmonious. Long reaching with front legs, a strong drive of the hind legs. When moving slowly pace is allowed.

Skin

The skin has to be well fitting to the body at all parts including the head as well. It is moderately thick. Moderately loose skin is allowed on the lower part of the neck.

Coat
Hair		Dense, rough on touch with a well-developed undercoat. Short on the head and the internal part of the ears. The hair on the front part of the legs is shorter than the body. The hair is at its longest at the withers with an average length of 9.5 cm. The variations in the length of the hair varies depending on the climate conditions. Longer and denser on the neck, the withers and the thigh.
Colour		Black or black with tan markings. The intensity of the tan markings may vary from light to dark shades. The tan markings are distributed as follows : over eyes, on sides of muzzle and of the lower lip, on inner edge of ears, on forechest, on inside and rear side of legs, on the feet, around the anus and from there reaching to about one third or one half of the underside of the tail. A small white spot on the chest is allowed, but not more than 5 cm in diameter, as well as white on the toes which does not reach the pastern.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males 65-68 cm. Females 62-66 cm. +/-2 cm is allowed.
Weight		Males: 40-45 kg. Females: 37-42 kg.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

Height ± 2 cm outside the standard.

Body slightly longer than described.

Tan markings too extended.

Tail carried on the left or the right side of the spine, in movement.

Serious faults

Insufficient or too pronounced stop.

Weak under jaw.

Skull wider than its length from the occiput to the stop.

Pointed muzzle.

Ears too short or too long.

Eyes too light.

Croup lower than the withers.

Flat chest or barrel-shaped rib cage.

Elbows turning in or out.

Steep shoulders.

Roach or sway back.

Weak hock joints, irregular position of the hindlegs.

Steep or too short croup.

Too short or too long hair.

Short tail.

Bigger white marking on the chest (up to 5 cm in diameter is tolerated).

White markings other than tolerated.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

Lymphatic constitution.

Atypical profile lines of the head.

Concave or exaggerated convex bridge of the nose.

Eyes of different colours (heterochromia).

Undershot without contact of the incisors, overshot, distorted (wry) jaw.

Too short muzzle (one-third of the total length of the head or less).

Short and smooth hair, lack of undercoat.

Curly hair.

Brindle pattern or any other colours not described in the standard.

Missing any teeth other than those described in the standard.

Nose, any other colour than black.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Macedonian Shepherd Dog Karaman