Bukovina Shepherd Dog

The Bukovina Shepherd Dogs originate from the Bukovina region in northeastern Romania. In the Carpathian Mountains, representatives of this breed have been successfully used for centuries to protect herds and dwellings. Other local names are dulau ( rum. Dulau , shepherd's dog) and kapau ( rum. Kapau ). The first breed standard was approved by the Kennel Association of Romania in 1982, updated in 2001. The breed is recognized by the IFF on a preliminary basis, the current breed standard No. 357 was approved on May 19, 2009 ^[3]

The massive head of Bukovina Shepherd Dog is slightly raised above the line of the back. The moderately wide skull, the transition from the forehead to the face is slightly marked. Nose black, large, wide. The length of the muzzle is equal to the length of the skull. The muzzle is well developed, in the shape of a truncated cone, narrowed to the nose, but should not be pointed. Lips are thick, tight to the teeth, with good pigmentation. The dog must have strong jaws with healthy white teeth and a scissor bite, a straight bite is allowed. Cheekbones are not pronounced. The eyes are relatively small, almond-shaped, arranged somewhat obliquely, may have a nut-colored or slightly lighter, but never yellow. Eyelids well pigmented. Hanging triangular ears with rounded tips are set high and fit snugly to the cheeks. The neck is of medium length, thick and strong, without dewlap. The body is muscular, the topline smoothly decreases from the withers to the croup, the backside is strong. The chest is wide, with well-arched ribs, reaching the level of the elbows. The tail reaches the hock or is longer, lowered in a calm state, in a tense state and in motion raised above the level of the back, crescent-shaped. The skin is thick, dark gray. The hair on the head and front legs is short, the body is thick, straight, thick, hair is 6-9 cm long. The undercoat is shorter, very thick, and light. Long hair on the neck forms a mane. On the back of the legs, the legs are of moderate length. The tail is bushy, covered with long and thick hair. The color is white with well-defined patches of sand, black or tiger color. On the legs possible black or colored specks. Allowed, but not desirable, the color is pure white or black.

The Bukovina Shepherd Dog was bred to protect herds of sheep and cattle on mountain pastures. These are excellent guard dogs, courageous, combative towards wild animals. To strangers mistrustful. During the night, the dogs patrol the area around the herd or dwelling, and when animals or strangers approach the protected area, they signal with a loud, really powerful barking. Devoted to the owner, love children, calm and balanced. Adult Bukovina shepherds need to move, they need enough space for walking.