Karakachan

also known as Каракачанска Овчарка, Каракачанско куче, Thracian Mollos, Ovcharsko kuche, Karakachansko Kuche, Karakachanska Ovcharka

Pros Summary


The Karakachan is a large, powerful breed of dog that originates from Bulgaria. They were originally developed as working dogs to guard livestock and protect against predators. Karakachans are known for their strength, intelligence, and stamina, and they have a powerful, athletic build with a thick, double coat that is typically white or yellow in color. They have a strong, broad head with a powerful jaw, and medium-sized, pointed ears. Karakachans are independent and strong-willed, and they require consistent and firm training to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved, confident dogs. They are known for their protective instincts and can make excellent guard dogs, but it is important to properly socialize and train Karakachans to ensure they are well-mannered and controlled in all situations

Breed Information


Type

Is Karakachan a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Karakachans originally used for?

Livestock Guardian

Lifespan

How Long Do Karakachans Live? What is average life expectancy for a Karakachan? How long can Karakachans live?

12-14 years

The average Karakachan lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Karakachan Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Karakachan?

What is the average height of a Karakachan? How big is a Purebred Karakachan height? Karakachan dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 25-29 inches (63.5 - 73.7 cm) 21.5 inches (54.6 cm) 23.5 inches (59.7 cm) 26.0 inches (66 cm)
Female 24-27 inches (61 - 68.6 cm) 20.0 inches (50.8 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm) 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)
What is the average weight of a Karakachan? How much should Karakachans weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 85-120 pounds (39 - 54 kg) 61.5 pounds (28 kg) 87.0 pounds (39 kg) 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Female 65-100 pounds (29 - 45 kg) 49.5 pounds (22 kg) 70.0 pounds (32 kg) 74.5 pounds (34 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Karakachans get fat easily?

The Karakachan is a breed that has an average to high tendency to gain weight if their weight is not closely monitored. It is important to maintain a balance between exercise and food intake to keep them at a healthy weight. This can be achieved by scheduling at least one daily walk and engaging in regular playtime with them.

Hypoallergenic

Are Karakachans Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Karakachan is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Karakachan personality? What are Karakachan dogs best known for?

Brave
Independent
Proud
Dominant
Intelligent
Vigilant

Shedding Level

Are Karakachans heavy shedders? How Much Does a Karakachan Shed?

Karakachan dogs are heavy shedders, they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Karakachan. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Karakachan dog?

Karakachans are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Karakachan is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Karakachans come from?

Bulgaria

Ancestry

What are Karakachans descended from?

Unknown

Date of Birth

When were Karakachans first bred? How old is the Karakachan breed?

Ancient Times

Karakachan Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Karakachan eyes?

Hazel
Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Karakachan nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Karakachan coat be naturally?

Pied
Black
Brown
Sable
Brindle

Coat Length

How long is a Karakachans coat?

The coat of a Karakachan falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Karakachan Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Karakachan?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Karakachan have in a litter? How many puppies can a Karakachan have in her first litter?

12-14 puppies per pregnancy

A Karakachan can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Karakachan dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Karakachan Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Karakachans have a lot of health problems?

The Karakachan is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Karakachan?

Usually A Very Healthy Breed

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Karakachans?

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat

Occasional Diagnoses

None Known

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Karakachan breed?

X-rays or other radiographic imaging
Blood Panel

Karakachan Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Karakachans have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Karakachans may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Karakachans need socialization? How social are Karakachans?

Karakachan have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Karakachans get?

The Karakachan dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Karakachan have? Do Karakachans sleep a lot?

The Karakachan breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Karakachan drool a lot?

The Karakachan is known to be an average drooler among dog breeds. Drooling is the unintentional flow of saliva outside of the mouth and can be a normal characteristic of certain breeds or it can be a sign of a health problem. In the case of the Karakachan, it is a normal part of their physiology, however it is important to keep an eye on the amount of drooling and any changes in drooling patterns, as excessive drooling can be an indication of an underlying health issue and should be checked by a veterinarian.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Karakachan dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Karakachans exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Karakachans mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Karakachan running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Karakachan dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Karakachans enjoy doing? How do I keep my Karakachan busy?

Walk, Play, Run, Off-leash, Chase, Walking, Walks, Running, Gtooming

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Karakachan? How much energy does a Karakachan have?

Medium

Karakachans are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Karakachan walk each week? How many miles should a Karakachan walk every week?

14 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Karakachan, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Karakachan should exercise a day? How much activity does a Karakachan need?

60 minutes

In general most Karakachans usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Karakachan?

The Karakachan is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Karakachan?

Daily

Ideally, Karakachan should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Karakachans?

Pin Brush
Comb
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Karakachan eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 85-120 pound (39 - 54 kg) Karakachan feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Karakachan Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Karakachan is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Karakachan Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Karakachan is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Karakachan Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Karakachan?

Karakachans has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Karakachan is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Karakachan dog?

Karakachan dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Karakachan dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Karakachan do well in apartments? Are Karakachans good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the Karakachan in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Karakachans living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are Karakachans good with kids? Are Karakachans good around children?

Karakachans are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Karakachans good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Karakachans good with cats? How friendly Karakachans are toward cats?

Karakachans are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Karakachan dogs get along with other dogs? Are Karakachans OK with other dogs?

Karakachans are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Karakachan dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Karakachans friendly with strangers?

Karakachans are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Karakachans are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Karakachans will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Karakachans like to play? Are Karakachans playful?

Karakachans have an average level of playfulness. The Karakachans, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Karakachan easily trained?

Karakachan dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.