Šarplaninac

TheŠarplaninacorSharr dogis abreedof dog oflivestock guardiantype.It is named for theŠar Mountainsor Šar Planinarangein theBalkans, where it is principally found. It was recognised by theFédération Cynologique Internationaleas theIllyrian Shepherd DogorIlirski Ovčarfrom 1939 until 1957, when the name was changed toYugoslavian Shepherd Dog – SharplaninaorJugoslovenski Ovčarski Pas – Šarplaninac.
InOttomantimes, the dogs moved with the flocks of sheep, spending the summer in the area of the Šar Mountains and the winter inThessaly, where they were known asGreek Shepherd Dogs.
The origins of the Šarplaninac are not known.It was traditionally used to guard cattleor sheep.In thetranshumantsystem of management, livestock was moved twice a year, to the high mountain pastures for the summer, and to the warmer plains for the winter. In the southern Balkans, very large numbers of sheep were moved in this way, accompanied by men and dogs.InOttomantimes, dogs of this type moved with the flocks of sheep, spending the summer in the area of the Šar Mountains and the winter inThessaly– where they were known as 'Greek Shepherd Dogs'.
In 1939 it was recognised by theFédération Cynologique Internationaleas a Yugoslav breed with the name 'Ilirski Ovčar' or 'Illyrian Shepherd Dog';In 1957, following a request from the Yugoslav Federation of Cynology (Jugoslovenski Kinološki Savez), the Fédération Cynologique Internationale agreed to change the official international names of the breed to 'Jugoslovenski Ovcarski Pas – Sarplaninac' and 'Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog – Sharplanina'.In 1968 the Kraški Ovčar orKarst Shepherd Dog, which had previously been considered a sub-type, was recognised as a separate breed.
Breed numbers were much reduced by theconflictsassociated with thebreakup of Yugoslaviain the 1990s.Following these events, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognised North Macedonia and Serbia as the countries of origin.
The Šarplaninac is found mainly in theŠar Mountains, where it is thought to have originated and from which the name 'Šarplaninac' derives.It is also distributed in the areas of theJablanica,KorabandPelistermountains.
The Šarplaninac is a large and strongly built dog. The body is slightly longer than the height at thewithers, and the front legs account for approximately 55% of the height. The head is large but proportional to the body, with dark eyes.
It is a robust, well-proportioned dog with plenty of bone, of a size that is well above the average and with a thick, long, rather coarse coat that emphasises the short-coupled appearance.Dogs weigh some35–45 kg, bitches about5 kgless.The average height at thewithersis62 cmfor dogs and58 cmfor bitches.
It is always solid in colour: fawn, iron grey, white or almost black; usually sable or grey with darker "overalls" on the head and back, the undercoat being paler. The colour need not be completely uniform, and most Šarplaninac have several different shades of the same colour fading into one another.
The dogs may be expected to live for some11–13 years.
The Šarplaninac is on the list of banned dog breeds inDenmark.The Danish list includes 13 breeds and it is considered controversial, having received criticism from dog owners and several political parties because eight of the 13 breeds have no reports of any incident. Among the eight is Šarplaninac.
It is viewed on the oneMacedonian denarcoin.