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Macedonian Karaman Shepherd |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Northern Macedonia | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Makedonsko Ovcarsko Kuce - Karaman
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| The Macedonian Karaman Sheepdog is a native breed whose origins are linked to the Neolithic cattle-breeding settlements of which Macedonia is so rich, as well as to local nomadic movements. Since then, Karamans have been bred as herd protectors throughout geographical Macedonia, from Epirus to Shar Planina, and from Thessalonica to Pirin Mountain. Macedonians had a special cult for this dog, so his face often takes pride of place on ancient coins of Macedonian kings, on vases, mosaics and sculptures, in the archives of ancient historians and poets, on iconostasis in Macedonian monasteries, as well as in epic folk poems collected by 19th-century Macedonian folk art collectors. In fact, it's a real moloss, a dog bred by the Moloss tribe of Epirus (the mother of Macedonian king Alexander the Great is a descendant of this tribe), which was particularly prized in the ancient world and jealously preserved. In its pure form, it was preserved by the Miaks and Vlachs, whose conservative life was nomadic and half-nomadic in a constant movement from summer to winter pastures and vice versa. Because of its exceptional courage and loyalty, today we can often meet it as a protector of sheep flocks, but also as a protector of people and property. This is a dog with a firm, compact constitution and harmonious proportions of all body parts. They are highly mobile, with acute senses. They can withstand physical exertion. The difference between males and females is obvious. Males are taller, more massive, robust with a broad head, and females are smaller with a more elegant build. He's not your typical cattle herder, but his incorruptible protector, always ready to sacrifice his life. He is wary of strangers with controlled aggression, expressed only when necessary. His barks are loud, deep and sharp. He bonds to a person and loyalty is his main characteristic. The average height at the withers for males is 70 cm. and with females 64 cm. There is no upper limit, as larger specimens are desirable. The lowest withers height for males is 65 cm. and for females 60 cm. The average weight of an adult male in good working condition is around 50 kg. and of a mature female is around 45 kg. The body length of a male is 9 to 11% greater than the height at the withers, and that of a female is 11 to 13%. |
English (United Kingdom)