The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-11
OWTCHAR Is BIGGEST
OF ALL SHEEPDOGS
Guardians Of Russian FlOcks
and Herds VIII Be Shown
at Panama Fair.
FEW NOW IN THIS COUNTRY

IL II proposed that the sheep and cat
tie dogs OF ell nations shall be repre-
scented at the Panama Pacific exhibition.
The dogs will arrive from all parts OF
tho world. and this exhibit should be
particularly interesting TO people engaged
IN agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The
biggest sheeIdogs la the world are those
OF Russia. The Owtchar has been seen
In America before. some of the variety
being purchased in Russia Ave or ten
years ago by Joseph b. Thomas OF New
York. They excited much interest when
at bench shows.
As his name denotes. the Owtchar is a
native of the dominions OF the Car. He
Is principally found within the limits OF
European Russia, particularly in the pas
toral countries through which the Dneiper
flows. from the Naldai Hills ia Smolensk
to the Black. Sea. He Is found AZ his best
on tho grassy feeding lands OF Kherson
and Taurida. The Owtchar will be recog-
nlzed as the largest OF all sheepdogs H.
perhaps, the Pyraneeu he excepted. The
Pyraneau such as owned by Mrs. Payne
whitney may, however. hardly he classed
rs "a shecpdOg from the ordinary point Of
view, as he has several of the points OF
the larger watchdoss such as the St Ber-
nard and the Landseer Newfoundland.
lHe ONlCndT taken TO the Brltlsn isles
has been often enormously STYLED the
Russian retriever and In some instances
the Russian poodle. There is however, a
striking likeness between the large sheen
dogs or Owtchars of Russia and the rough
French cattle dogs and the cobbler old
English sheepdog or bobtali. Some be-
lieve that the Russian is an older breed
than the English breed
The Owtchar may be easily distin-
u11ishp-I from tha T,..
char may weigh los pounds. whereas the
French cattle dog with scale from So to rs
pounds. The use or utility OF the Owt-
char Is apparent There is much large
and dangerous game In Russia, and
brave, strong and hardy dog Is not only
required to protect the flocts or herds
from these proving beasts but the dogs
must bc PREPARED TO withstand the rlgors
Of II cold and severe climate. Thus is the
owtchar bred and reared for the purposes
~ the guard dog, ready and willing under
I'll conditions to combat both the attacks
OF the carnivorous animals and the pierre
ing wintry weather OF mountain and plain
There Ia perhaps no dog that grows n
greater or deuecr coat than the Owtchar
and II he be- clipped during tho summer
season his hair il Of great value for the
purposes of weaving into garments par.
tlcularly 4 vest o. outer shirt to keep
any man warm and comfortable under
cold conditions The enormous shock and
long ringleted coat keeps the dog warm
and he is able to he down and curl him
self up and content himself In climate
such as the human could not ordinarily
stand
Tho owtchar II particularly recon-
mended to agriculturlsts who live In the
rigorous parts of the United States and
the Great Northwest OF Canada. lie Is n
big. sensible. rough-and-ready. 'homey''
- a. II
connections, hut an always watchful
guard. and possessing a loud and warning
voice. ~ from time immemorial he has
been used for the sole purpose OF tending
focks and herds II will readily he recog-
Missed that the sagac'ty required OF a sheep
or cattle dog is born In him. The Rus
SLAMS are naturally proud Of their native
brcd domestic animals. They have been
and are produced because Of their pc
culiar ndaptahilty for the very purposes
for which they nre required. And 80 II
"a that the owtChar II found TO he all
that is claimed for him. an ever-willins
etockmar's dor-that will fight any other
animal that darsE n modest his charges.
In general appearance tho Owtchar 10 a
large and sturdy dog TIc Is imposing in
appearance. and he "a all he looks when
II comes 10 rough work. II Ia worthy OF
note that some Of the Dutch or Boer farm
ers Of South Africa have possessed them
solves ~ THESE dogs. and in the sub-conti-
ncnt they have lost their old and right
Russian name Of Owtchar and have been
claSsed a. Bocrhondcn. II Is also worthy
OF record that the first OF these big dogs
brought 10 Australia was taken as n
prisoner or rather as loot from Trans
vaal farm during tho South Afrio1n war.
II can nc well recognized that IN each
instance the Owtchar was imported for n
certain purpose. He arrived in Africa as
fpr tho RDpr rattlp sheen nd
goats against IN" beasts OF prey. and Il
was tho quick eye of the Australian bush
man or farmer that allghted with admira-
ton on the stock dog Of the husba ndman
Of the V0ldt.
Coming to the points Of the Owtchar. Il
IL easy to discern in him a big and
strongIy built dog HIS head is massive
and rather round the coat OF the head is
softer than on the body. The skull is
round and well developed and the muzzlc Is
strong. not too short. hut not nj all longish.
The medium length of muzzlc Is desired,
and = must not BE sharp or ferretlike IN
appearance. Tho eyes are rather large
dark brown In color, intelligent and often
hidden by the long coat The nose liz
black IN color. Teeth strong and meeting
evenly The ears are hanging. round. not
hair. sometimes cut and carried semi
erect Tho neck is short and muscular
and the body strong and well developed.
The legs nre straight and well muscled.
and the feet are large and strong the
claws are not close together but the foot
should he Arm The tail is often locked (;
otherwise. Il Is well coated. Tho coat is
hut not soft, often fclted. The color Is
slate dirty white and nearly black. The
Owtchar should stand from % u TO 81 u
inches at the shoulder and weigh around