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Breed Characteristics
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Sarplaninac
| Other Names | Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog - Sharplanina (official), Šarplaninec, Illyrian Shepherd Dog, Illyrian Sheepdog, Sar Planina, Charplaninatz, Yugoslav Mountain Dog |
| Nicknames | Planinac, Šar, Шарко, Šarko, Sarpie |
| Country of Origin | Macedonia |
| Weight | 55 - 88 lbs. (25 - 39 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 22 - 24 in. (56 - 61 cm) |
| Coat | The coat of the Sarplaninac is about 4 inches (10 cm) long. The hair is dense and evenly distributed. |
| Colour | Colours include: gray, white, tan and black. Colours can be solid or blended. The Sarplaninac is one of the few flock guards that come in solid colours other than white. |
| Litter Size | 4 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 11 - 13 years |
| Origin & History | The name Sarplaninac is pronounced "shar-pla-nee-natz." It originates from the southwest part of Srbija (southern Kosovo) and the northwest part of Macedonia (Shar Planina, Bistra, Korab, Stogavo, Mavrovo, Jablanica and Pelister, etc.). This geographical area was once known as Illyria, the original name given to the breed. The region is now called Macedonia, but the dogs worked mainly in the mountains of Shar Planina and were renamed for the range. In 1939 the dogs were registered with the FCI under the name Illyrian shepherd dog. In 1954 FCI accepted the name change from Illyrian shepherd dog to the name Yugoslav shepherd dog-Sharplaninec. After the collapse of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, Macedonia requested the name of the dog be changed to recognize both countries, Macedonia and the Serbian side. It was agreed to change the name of the dog to Macedonian-Yugoslav Shepherd Dog - Sharplaninec. The Sarplaninac has the honor of being one of only two dogs to be recognized by the Yugoslavian Kennel Club, the official club of its native land. Thought to be older than the Istrian Shepherd (although not as old a breed as the Greek Shepherd Dog or the Turkish Akbash), this reserved guardian exists in sustainable numbers in Albania and Macedonia. First recognized as a distinct breed in 1930. Although turmoil in Bosnia has reduced this breed's population in its previous heartland, since 1975 successful exports have been carried out to the United States and Canada to control coyotes, and this is where its future security rests. It is now gaining recognition as a hard-working, readily able flock guard in those countries. Numerous in its homeland, the Sarplaninac is still part of the great flock. It is versatile and occasionally works cattle or serves as guard. In fact, a military line of Sars was created in Marshall Josip Tito's kennels. |
| Personality | The Sar is a flock-guard dog that needs to be working. This sheep-herding guard dog is unaffectionate toward its humans. It prefers the flock it so enthusiastically protects. It has natural guarding qualities and independent thinking typical of the flock guard group. Usually calm, but when the situation warrants, it is ferocious in its efforts to protect the flock. It takes its work seriously. When on sheep-guarding duty it will investigate anything that catches its eye, and has no hesitation about confronting adversaries larger than itself. This is not a brainless tail-wagger; the Sarplaninac is a very wise dog that chooses friends carefully and trusts no one completely. He is more obedient to his ingrained code of proper behavior than to accept commands from one master, to whom he is most loyal. These dogs are very devoted to their flocks. One 6-month-old Sar in the United States flock-guarding program began working with sheep in a barn. His name was Bruno and he could not be coaxed away from "his" barn, even to play. In the spring, however, some sheep were sold, others purchased and the flock was put out to pasture. The dog was the ideal employee, happily adapting to new sheep and new quarters. Sheep and goat raisers are discovering advantages to owning a Sar when the majority of their predator problems disappear. These dogs will tolerate family members including children if they are raised with them, but will be aloof with outsiders. The Sar will protect all of its territory and the living creatures within it. This is a breed that is not to be taken lightly. It can be a rewarding experience if placed in the proper situation. They require work, time and, like anything else on a farm, proper management. If you plan to keep this breed as a companion and not as the working farm dog it was bred to be, make sure you are 100% a firm, confident and consistent pack leader. Meek owners will find themselves not being able to control this dog. This is not a dog for beginners. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | The coat will benefit from occasional brushings. |
| Exercise | This breed needs a lot of physical exercise. On a farm running free it will take care of its own exercise needs, however, if it is not actively working on a farm, it needs to be taken on a daily walk or jog. |
| Other Considerations | The Sarplaninac is not recommended for apartment life. It has an all-weather coat and will be content to live and sleep outdoors. His character demands a zesty, outdoor life. He will do best living on a farm with a flock to protect. The Šarplaninac is a reserved and intuitive breed, stubborn and undemonstrative, but if properly trained and handled with authority, it excels at a variety of tasks. Dog-aggression and wariness of strangers are common traits of the Šarplaninac, which is why early socialization is of utmost importance. Heavily-boned and muscular, the dog has a full top-coat, with an abundant dense undercoat, making it weatherproof and suited for an outside life. The Šarplaninac has been known to fight or chase off wolves, lynxes and even bears. The breed can also work cattle and serve as a guard dog. They were first used as military dogs in 1928 by the army of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and later under Josip Broz Tito in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Nowadays these dogs are used by the Military of Serbia as guard dogs in mountainous regions. Since 1975, successful exports have been carried out to the United States and Canada to control coyotes, and the Šarplaninac is now gaining recognition as a hard-working, able flock guard in these two countries. |
