Karakachan - Livestock guardian dogs, Pros, cons, are they for you?

The Karakachan dog is a large, livestock guardian dog breed from Bulgaria. It is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in Europe, and its ancestors may have been brought to the Balkans by the Thracians as early as the 3rd millennium BC. The Karakachan were traditionally used by shepherds to protect their flocks from wolves, bears, and other predators.
The breed was almost wiped out during the communist era in Bulgaria, when large-scale collectivization of agriculture led to a decline in the need for livestock guardians. However, the Karakachan was saved by a group of enthusiasts who began breeding the dogs in the 1970s. Today, the breed is once again thriving, and it is used for a variety of purposes, including livestock guarding, police work, and therapy.
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[@twotravelersstory]

If anyone is planning to get one and has questions, feel free to put them down. Ours was adopted, and we can share our experience and journey:)

[@weallmakechoices7456]

These are the best dogs in the world, along with Greek Shepherd. I had one she was a rescue a Greek Karakachan, gone a year now and I am heartbroken. She was so beautiful. Karakachan is a very deep, complex and thinking animal, independent and stubborn. I really love this aspect of their natures. It's lovely to look at your video, and remember my girl. She was black type with the white toes and blaze on chest, a gorgeous animal. Extremely thick double coat.

[@twotravelersstory]

Sorry for your loss, Hope you find another one to fill the void. Yes, they are extremely stubborn , that so very true, but then, they have their own way of showing their love and when they aren't happy.

[@tictactoehuhn6]

Got one you are absolutely right

[@babiyarnazarismaily6207]

Bulgarian here....this is bulgarian dog breed and it is very verrry smart,i had watched a tv show with a sheperd woman that told a story,how a foreign sheep get into their flock of 300 sheeps and the karakachan dog recognised out of 300 sheeps it and got it out ,another story is when a sheep got lost they found the dog with her after 24 hours staying by her side and guarding her from predators...they work as a team and each one have a special place in the formation,also they signal the sheperd with a different signal for human comming ,another dog comming,wolf etc and the signal for bear and for human is one and the same and i think it is because mentaly bears are the closest to humans and inteligent like people

[@twotravelersstory]

Yes , they are extremely intelligent and independent at same time. Do not require a lot of human attention like other breeds but love it when you show appreciation from time to time. Our boy unfortunately cannot guard livestock now as he has never grown with animals, but guards the yard fiercely.

[@tinaberger485]

Great video, thanks for posting!! We currently have 3 Anatolian Shepherds and are considering adding to our pack. Do you know how these compare in size and temperament? Our male is about 140 lbs and females are expected to be around 120 when full grown. Any experience in how they interact with other breeds? I know some can be funny like that.

[@twotravelersstory]

To be frank enough I do not have experience with Antolian shepherds. It took us a year and half to get the karakachan to get used to our Golden. But then we adopted him when he was two years and had a mind of his own apart from the fact that he was abused. If you get a pup it will be easier. But even then the best thing to do would be to talk to a professional trainer to understand the compatibility , disease profile etc. Karakachans if purebred can get close to 50 to 55 kg just a little below the Antolian shepherds. But I can say one thing, they are ferocious guard dogs and guard their territory and humans like it depends on their life.

[@tinaberger485]

Thanks, I really appreciate it. We try to start all our dogs as pups so we know what we're working with, can bond them to us and flock as soon as we're able. Good on you to put so much care into rehabilitating your dog! ❤

[@twotravelersstory]

@@tinaberger485 the first two years taught us a lot.. we thought we knew dogs, but he changed our perspective and I wouldn't change a moment of it.. he is a part of our family now :) whoever had abandoned him.. lost a great family member..

[@tinaberger485]

@@twotravelersstory awwww yeah, and you gained a wonderful boy who was lucky to end up with you! It's so terrible to think anyone could be so heartless to a living, breathing soul. 💔 You reap what you sow, later than you sow, and in greater number. You're super! 💖

[@vladimirberegovoy2886]

The Dogs of Our Ancestors A few artiicles in this book. On eBay

[@twotravelersstory]

Have you had one ?

[@vladimirberegovoy2886]

@@twotravelersstory yes, I have my copy It is sold on eBay.

[@twotravelersstory]

@@vladimirberegovoy2886 will sure check it

[@vaggelistsarouxas5010]

For the informations i know karakachan dog is a dog that karakachan People have and the origins are greek like the karakachan People.

[@twotravelersstory]

Yes, their origins are believed to lead back to the Thracian nomadic shepherds, the karakachan people in ancient Balkans. :)

[@luruboo]

The origins aren't Greek, it was bred from Bulgarians along with the Bulgarian shepherd, that's why both breeds look almost identical!

[@user-gc4yh5zg2z]

Another Greek nationalist spewing his delusions in the comments. This is Bulgarian shepherd so deal with it

[@thiseaslostinlabyrinth5471]

Thracian Dog...

[@kremesti]

They are crazy these dogs, not leash dogs

[@twotravelersstory]

Totally Agree, It took us a bit to get him used to the leash for a walk. Fortunately we stay in a Village so its easier to walk him. Rest of the day, he is free in the yard. Total protection :)

[@okish02]

Please do not allow this breed to get recognized by the AKC !!

[@twotravelersstory]

Any specific reason for that? They are excellent LGD's. The live long, are loyal, and do their job with least supervision. Would love to understand your though behind what you said.:)

[@gunnerhillfarm]

@@twotravelersstory I would agree only as far as doing so might make them more popular and people would go searching to get them as house pets and/or backyard breed (we don’t need them in shelters like GP already are). They’re better with livestock to guard. Most people don’t know how difficult it can be to manage any livestock guardian dog breed, let alone one without a job. :) Otherwise, though, they’re a perfectly legitimate breed.

[@twotravelersstory]

Yes in that point I would say yes. They are not house breeds, they need large spaces, lots of running around. They need their independence and unless one is able to give them that they shouldn't even think of this breed. They are not your regular fetch or play dogs.