Central Asia Shepherd Dog

		Central Asia Shepherd Dog
		FCI standard Nº 335

Origin		Russia
Translation		Dmitry Mescheryakov, edited by Elena Krutsenko. Revised by Renée Sporre-Willes / Original version: (EN)
Group		Group 2 Pinscher & Schnauzer type, Molossoid Breeds, Swiss Mountain- and Cattle Dogs
Section		Section 2.2.Molossoid Breeds, Mountain type
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Wednesday 25 January 1989
Publication of the official valid standard		Wednesday 13 October 2010
Last update		Wednesday 09 February 2011
En français, cette race se dit		Berger d'Asie centrale
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Mittelasiatische Schäferhund
En español, esta raza se dice		Perro Pastor de Asia Central
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Centraal Aziatische Ovcharka
In his country of origin, his name is		Sredneasiatskaya Ovtcharka

Usage

Guard and watch dog.

Brief historical summary

Central Asia Shepherd Dog (CASD) is one of the most ancient breed of dogs. They were formed as a breed from natural selection during more than four thousand years in the vast territory, which spreads nowadays from the Caspian Sea to China and from Southern Ural to Afghanistan. Its heritage is from the most ancient dogs of Tibet, Cattle Dogs from various nomad tribes’ dogs that are closely related to the Mongolian Shepherd Dog and the Tibetan Mastiff. The CASD were mainly used to protect cattle, caravans and the owner’s dwellings, and being exposed to rigid natural selection. Hard living conditions and constant struggle against predators have had influence on the shape as well as the dog’s character and it has made it strong, fearless, and taught it to save its energy. In the places of primordial habitation, the CASD were used mainly to protect herds from predators and also as guard dogs. The work with the breed started in the USSR in the 1930s.

General appearance

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is of harmonious build and large stature, moderately long (neither long nor short in body). Robust, muscular body, voluminous, but not with visible muscles. Sexual dimorphism is clearly defined. The males are more massive and courageous than females with more pronounced withers and a larger head. Full maturity is reached by the age of 3 years.

Important proportions

The length of body only slightly exceeds the height at withers. Larger stature is desirable but proportional constitution must remain. Length of forelegs up to the elbow is 50-52 % of the height at the withers. The length of muzzle is less than 1/2 the length of head, but more than a 1/3.

Behaviour / temperament

Self assured, balanced quiet, proud and independent. The dogs are very courageous and have high working capacity, endurance and a natural instinct of territory. Fearlessness towards large predators is a characteristic feature.

Head
Cranial region
Head		Massive and in balance with general appearance. Head shape is close to rectangular, seen from above and side.
Skull		Deep in skull. The forehead is flat and the skull part is flat and long. Occiput is well defined but hardly visible, because of well developed muscles. Supraorbital ridges are moderately defined.
Stop		Stop is moderately defined.

Facial region
Nose		Large, well developed but not exceeding the general contour of the muzzle. Colour of the nose is black but in white and fawn coloured dogs the nose can be lighter.
Muzzle		The muzzle is blunt and of moderate length, it is almost rectangular viewed from above and sides and narrowing very slightly towards the nose. Muzzle is voluminous, deep and well filled under the eyes. Bridge of muzzle is broad, straight and sometimes with a slight down face. Chin is well developed.
Lips		Thick, upper lips tightly covering the lower lips when the mouth is closed. Full black pigmentation is preferable.
Jaws and teeth		The jaws are strong and broad. Teeth are large, white and close to each other, 42 in total. Incisors are set on a line. Scissors bite, pincer bite and also reversed scissors bite is accepted. Canines are set well apart. An injury to the teeth that does not affect the use of the bite is of no consequence.
Cheeks		The Cheekbones are long and well developed, without interfering with the rectangular shape of head.
Eyes		Medium sized, with oval form, set well apart, looking straight ahead, and moderately deep set. The colour of the eyes from dark brown to hazel. The darker colour is preferable. The eyelids are thick and preferably with lower eye lid not too loose. No visible third eyelid. Fully pigmented eyes rims are preferred. Whatever the colour of coat, eye rims should be black. Expression is confident and dignified.
Ears		Medium sized, triangular shape, thick, low set and hanging. Lower part of ear base is level with, or slightly below the eyes. Traditional ear-cropping, in the fashion illustrated on the cover, is still practiced in country of origin and in countries where it is not prohibited by law.

Neck

The neck is of medium length, very powerful, oval at cross-section, well muscled, and low set. Dewlap is a specific breed feature.

Body
Topline		Well proportioned and well sustained, and must keep typical topline in stance.
Withers		Well defined, especially in males, muscular, long and high, with well defined transition to the back.
Back		Straight, broad, well muscled, the actual length is about ½ of the length from the withers to tail set.
Loin		Short, broad, muscled, slightly arched.
Croup		Moderately long, broad, well muscled, slightly sloping to tail set. The height at the withers exceeds the height over rump by 1-2 cm.
Chest		Deep, long, broad, distinctly developed, ribcage broadening towards the back. False ribs are long. Lower part of the chest is level with the elbow or slightly below. Fore chest extends slightly in front of the humerus/scapula joint.
Underline and belly		Belly is moderately tucked up.

Tail

Thick at the base and set fairly high. The natural tail is carried in a sickle curve or curled in a loose ring that begins at the last third of the tail. When alert the tail rises to the line of back or slightly above. Hanging at rest. Traditional tail docking, in the fashion illustrated on the cover, is still practiced in country of origin and in countries where it is not prohibited by law. Natural tail is of equal value to a docked tail.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Forelegs are straight with strong bone, seen from the front parallel and not close together. Seen from the side, the forearms are straight.
Shoulders		Shoulder blade long, well laid back, forming an angle with the upper arm about 100°. Well muscled.
Upper arm		Oblique, long, and strong.
Elbows		Correctly fitting, turning neither in nor out.
Forearm		Straight, very strong bone, long, oval cross-section.
Pastern		Moderate length, broad, strong, upright pasterns.
Forefeet		Large, rounded, arching toes, pads are voluminous and thick; nails could be of any color.

Hindquarters
Generality		Viewed from the rear straight and parallel, set a little wider than forequarters.
Upper thigh		Broad, moderately long and strongly muscled.
Lower thigh		Of almost the same length as upper thigh.
Stifle		Turning neither in nor out. The knee angulation is moderate.
Metatarsus		Very strong of moderate length, perpendicular. No dewclaws.
Hock		Moderate angle.
Hind feet		Large, rounded, arching toes, pads are voluminous and thick; nails could be of any color.

Gait and movement

Well balanced and elastic. Trot with free reach in the forequarters and with powerful drive from the hindquarters. Top line is steady while moving. All joints to bend without effort. The angulations in hindquarters is more distinct when moving than in standing pose.

Skin

Thick, sufficiently elastic loose lying to prevent injuries if in combat with predators.

Coat
Hair		Abundant, straight coarse and with well developed undercoat. Hair on the head and on the front part of limbs is short and dense. Coat on withers is often longer. The guard coat can be short or slightly longer. Depending on the length of the outer coat there can be either shorter hair (3-5 cm), covering the whole body or with longer hair (7-10 cm) which forms a mane on the neck, feathers behind the ears and on the back parts of the limbs and on the tail.
Colour		Any, except genetic blue and genetic brown in any combination and black mantel on tan.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males minimum 70 cms, females minimum 65 cms. Large size desirable, but proportional constitution must remain.
Weight		Males minimum 50 kgs, females minimum 40 kgs.

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

Slight deviations from the breed type.

Female tending male type.

Rounded skull, narrow muzzle & narrow lower jaw, small nose.

Eyes obliquely or close set, loose eyelids.

Ears high set.

Thin or loose hanging lips.

High over the croup.

Slightly short croup.

Narrow front.

Exaggerated angulations in hindquarters.

Splayed feet and long toes.

Hackney gait, slightly un-balanced movement.

Very short coat

Serious faults

Highly strung.

Significant deviation from required type and constitution.

Leggy appearance; light in bone, soft muscles.

Eyes too light or bulging eyes.

Top line falling away.

Croup much higher than the withers.

Narrow, short and steep croup.

Natural stubbed tail, kinked tail.

Pasterns too high, down in pastern.

Hindquarters set too far under body.

Height at withers 2 cm less than stated minimum.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

Timid, overexcited.

Male of female type.

Overshot or distinctly undershot bite.

Eyes of different colour, blue or green eyes; squint.

Loose joints.

Coat of any combination of genetic brown or genetic blue colour.

Colour that is tan with distinctive black mantle.

Coat that is curly or soft.

Unbalanced movement.

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

http://www.fci.be/

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Central Asia Shepherd Dog