People who love large breeds of dogs want to have a strong and reliable defender. And one of the best options is the Caucasian Shepherd and Alabai. And many have a question, but how do these two breeds differ, how can they be compared? To answer the questions, it will be necessary to understand what are the main characteristics of such dogs.
Description of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
This dog was given the name because it appeared in the Caucasus. This breed was formed thanks to the actions of the indigenous people. For a long time, shepherds guarded the owners' house and property. And therefore, Caucasians have excellent hunting quality. They have good intelligence and are very determined. But not all this breed is suitable.
The dog is strong and hardy, can live in any climatic conditions. Her physique is powerful and muscular. The case is massive and wide, and canine experts note its elongation, but tend to believe that this is rather a flaw. The neck is of medium length, the scruff is pronounced. Dogs are able to analyze the situation and do not panic. They have good vigilance, dogs are incredulous about strangers.
Positive traits:
- magnificent guard and protector;
- distrustful attitude towards strangers;
- self-control
- developed intelligence;
- love for the owner;
- restraint;
- ability to analyze and evaluate the situation.
Negative qualities:
- very stubborn;
- wayward;
- the owner must have a strong character and great patience;
- thorough care for the coat is necessary;
- It requires a lot of effort for training;
- You can not turn on people with a soft character;
- cannot be kept in an apartment.
By nature, these dogs are very calm, restrained. They trust only family members, and when there are strangers, they are very suspicious of them. And this distrust appeared because the main goal of the Caucasian dogs was to guard the house.
Description alabai
This breed of dog is called the Central Asian Shepherd. And she already exists more than 4 thousand years. Alabai descended from the dogs of Tibet and passed strict natural selection due to harsh conditions and constant struggle with the enemy. And this is precisely what affected the character and appearance of the dog.
Positive traits:
- developed intelligence;
- calm
- does not need special care;
- distrust of the stranger;
- moderate appetite;
- loves the owner;
- innate security instinct.
Negative qualities:
- willfulness;
- demanding;
- hard training is given;
- prone to vagrancy;
- You can not get people with a soft character.
The dog is serious and confident. Alabai owners are also, but this is manifested only on their territory, but on a visit they do not show it.
And when strangers come to the house, the males react very sharply and are ready to attack immediately, but the females are careful in this regard and attack only when the strangers come close.
Differences in appearance
There are several points by which you can determine which of the breeds in front of you. It should be based on the differences in the following parts of the body:
- wool;
- paws;
- the shape of the head and muzzle;
- eyes;
- tail.
A Caucasian shepherd has long, hard, and thick undercoat, while an Alabai has the opposite. In spring, molting occurs in each breed. The first need to be combed out every day or at least every other day so that the coat does not get tangled. Alabaev does not need to be combed so often, and to avoid skin diseases, during molting, you need to do this more often.
Caucasians have paws shorter, but thicker. They also have a bigger head. In Alabaev, the shape of the muzzle is sharper at the nose. Their eyes are not raised, and therefore they do not mow. But in Caucasian shepherds they are small, deep-set and mow.
The Central Asian Shepherd has a short tail, because it is stopped at birth, and Caucasians do not have this operation. Therefore, they have a long, fluffy and bent into a ring. But still, stopping is optional, it is carried out only at will.
And the rocks are similar in their large form. And since they have an excellent physique and a thick undercoat, they can keep company with their master in any business. They can endure various difficulties, for example, lack of water and food. Also, these breeds initially protected the sheep, so they can make their own decisions.
Who is bigger?
The growth of the Caucasian shepherd at the withers is approximately 60 cm, and in Alabai it is from 70 to 80 cm. In some cases, a Caucasian can reach 75 cm. The weight category can be from 45 to 75 kg, and in an Asian from 45 to 80 kg. Nevertheless, both breeds are very large, and their muscles are well developed. Typically, Central Asians are much larger, but it all depends on feeding and physical activity. Their life expectancy is also different. Caucasians live 10-11 years, Alabai 12-15.
Who is stronger?
Both dogs have almost the same strength indicators, but they fight a little differently. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog advances fearlessly and can predict the subsequent actions of the enemy, when the Central Asian Shepherd Dog quickly reacts to everything and acts on the move. Also, the former will be valid until the last. The Caucasian wins thanks to his strength, and Alabai due to dexterity and cunning.
Comparison of breeds by other criteria
Since these breeds are shepherd, they stand out among the rest with their intelligence and ingenuity. Because security work requires an adequate assessment of what is happening. These dogs are very brave and can act on their own. Caucasians love freedom, and that is why it will be difficult for them to obey the owner, but the Alabai will look forward to attention and approval. Central Asian Shepherd Dog cunning and complaisant, also gets along well with children and can become a “nanny" for them.
Who is street content suitable for?
For any large breed, including the Caucasian Shepherd, it will be more comfortable in a private house with a large plot than in a small apartment. Since this dog loves freedom, it needs constant physical activity. This breed is perfect for the role of a guard. But the loyalty and devotion of the dogs to the owners will need to be earned.
Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are one of the best guards, they will serve the family faithfully. Relationships should be built on respect. But since shepherds love freedom, they cannot sit on a chain, they value it as a humiliation, because they cannot move freely, and this negatively affects their morale.
The best option would be a spacious enclosure with a house. Due to its coat, dogs can easily tolerate any temperature conditions.
And even when the animal lives in the aviary, it also needs to be walked, because it needs walks in order to develop muscles.
How to feed?
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can eat anything. You can feed dogs dry and wet food. An adult dog must be fed meat (up to 1 kg per day), boiled chicken, fish and vegetables. There should also be cereals: rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, wheat and pasta. Consumption of fruits and greens is very useful for animals, but you can’t give them in large quantities, they must be in raw form.
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is completely unpretentious in food, but since they may have problems with the joints, it is simply necessary that the diet has a high content of calcium. This breed must be fed meat (beef and veal), sea, low-fat fish, raw or boiled vegetables, cereals. Chicken should not be added to the diet.
Both breeds are strictly forbidden to give: pork, bones, beets, potatoes, citrus fruits, legumes, various seasonings, smoked meats and canned food.
Who to choose?
Of course, it is always difficult to make such a choice between these two breeds, since the difference between them is not very big. Also, everything will depend on the nature of the owner, whether he can establish relations with the dog.
The main thing is not to forget that these breeds have different characters, and if a person is going to raise a dog alone, then he should stop at a Caucasian shepherd. For a large family, an Alabai who loves a lot of attention is suitable.
Crossbreed Alabai and Caucasian Shepherd Dog
This process takes place exclusively at the amateur level. Therefore, there will be no new breed. Puppies are called mestizos. Appearance they get from both parents. Puppies come out large, very easily trained, they are always passed on guard and guard qualities. They are also very distrustful of strangers and always guard their territory. Also very stubborn and always dominate. Not everyone will be able to cope with the nature of such a dog and his leadership qualities.
About the features of these two breeds of dogs, see the next video.
