Not-so-famous dog breeds also deserve our attention. The Macedonian Shepherd Dog (Sharr Dog or Sharplaninac) is a rare treasure from the Balkan region in Europe. This fearless guardian deserves to be explored by all dog lovers!
1. The Macedonian Shepherd Originates from Macedonia
In the past, many cynologists agreed that this dog originated from Asia. But today, we all know that it comes from the Balkan region. More specifically, it comes from the mountain massifs in Macedonia (Shar Planina, Korab, Stogovo, Bistra, and Mavrovo).
2. It Is Related to the Tibetan Mastiff
Sharr’s dog origins trace back to ancient livestock guardian dogs from regions like Tibet and Turkey. There is a theory that suggests that this breed descended from the Tibetan Mastiff. This Mastiff is native to the Himalayan region, and it also has the same guarding instincts.
Besides this, both dogs handle harsh climates well. So, how did this dog arrive from the Himalayan region to the Balkans? Well, nomadic tribes and armies moved westward, and they also brought the dogs with them.
There is a lack of direct historical records. However, the similarities in physical characteristics and temperaments between the Šarplaninac and ancient Asian guardian breeds support this connection.
3. Denmark Banned This Breed
The Sharr dog is on the list of banned breeds in Denmark. This list includes 13 breeds, but some consider it very controversial. From this list of dog breeds, 8 breeds have never caused any incidents, among which is the Sharplaninac.
This banning includes banning ownership, breeding, and import of 13 dog breeds. Some dogs from this list include:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- Kangal
- Boerboel
- American Bulldog
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- South Russian Shepherd Dog
- Tornjak
This law brought many controversies. But law is law! So, if you are planning a visit to Denmark, make sure to not bring some of the abovementioned breeds.
4. Sharr Dogs Guard the Livestock
The Macedonian Shepherd dog’s main task is to guard the livestock. In the nomadic tradition way of livestock and sheep herding, farmers moved the animals twice a year. They spent the summers in the high mountain pastures, and winters in the warmer lowlands.
In the past, Macedonian mountains had a lot of sheep, and the need for Shepherds was obvious.
5. This Dog Has Multiple Names
In the past, it was known as the Illyrian Shepherd dog. Then, the name changed to Sharplaninac, Macedonian Shepherd Dog, and even Serbian Shepherd Dog. All these names represent what is known today as the Macedonian Shepherd dog, which is recognized by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale).
The official name of the dog comes from the Shar Mountains where this breed lives.
6. This Breed Is National Pride
Macedonian currency depicts the Sharr Dog on the 1 Denar coin. Furthermore, Macedonian citizens are taught about this dog breed from the youngest age. This is because they often hear stories about Sharko, a dog commonly used in stories that adults tell their children.
7. The Macedonian Shepherd Has a Rich Working History
This dog worked actively in the Yugoslavian army back in 1928. According to the army, this breed was successful in various tasks. Before this official job, Macedonian Shepherds were tasked to herd sheep and livestock.
According to professionals, herding the livestock and sheep is the job that these Shepherds are most successful at. If you drive around Macedonia, you will notice this dog breed in many yards and households. In the cities, owners use it to guard the household. In rural areas, this dog keeps the livestock and sheep safe.
8. Connection to Alexander the Great
According to stories from the past, Alexander the III of Macedonia (the Great) took a Sharr dog with him on his conquest that reached the Himalayas. The name of his dog was Peritas and there are many tales about him.
One of the stories is that Peritas saves Alexander’s life when the Macedonians had a battle in the fortified city of the Mallians. Peritas was with Alexander the whole time while he was wounded by a spear, but later he died in Alexander’s lap. However, we must say that this story is according to legends, and we do not know its true accuracy.
9. Hard to Train
This breed is very intelligent but is independent and sometimes can be hard to train. That is why this dog needs early socialization and consistency. Positive reinforcement can contribute to raising a well-behaved dog.
A little distraction from the whole process of raising a dog can lead to permanent consequences. That is why you should be extra careful while raising one.
10. It Is a Rural Dog
The interesting thing about this dog is that it is a rural. The chances of finding this dog walking with an owner in cities are very small. But most of the rural households own this dog breed. You will find at least one Macedonian Shepherd in each village, especially in villages from the western part of the country.
This dog has a very strong protective nature and is great against predators in rural areas. Also, people from the cities avoid this breed because it requires a lot of space to roam and walk. Living in an apartment can be very challenging for such a big dog.
