Ovtcharka
Encyclopedia
See also Ovcharka
Ovtcharka (овчарка afˈtɕarkə) is a term of Russian origin used to describe the working dog specializing in working with sheep. Originated from ovtsa (oвца, sheep in Russian), ovtchar (sheep herder, or farm employee maintaining sheep).
Though the term itself does not specify whether the dog is a herding dog
or a livestock guardian dog
, it refers in this case to livestock guardian and protection breeds of Russian origin for the simple reason that there are no herding breeds originating from Russia. At the same time, it is used as a part of breed name in Russian for shepherds or sheepdogs imported into the country.
When Russian cynologists named dog breeds, they often used a combination of country of origin
and the term Ovtcharka, meaning that this shepherd dog came from a specific region. For example, a shepherd of German origin is known in Russian as Nemetskaja Ovtcharka, which translates as German Shepherd.
Over the years, the term Ovtcharka has become common outside Russia and other countries where Russian is commonly spoken because of three livestock guardian breeds of Russian origin: Caucasian Ovtcharka, Central Asian Ovtcharka and South Russian Ovtcharka. The reason for the continuing use of this term instead of “shepherd” or “sheepdog” is the necessity to differentiate between a livestock guardian dog (especially of Russian origin) and a herding dog (commonly called Shepherd in English). All three breeds have different mentalities and much greater protection instincts than a German Shepherd or other popular herding dogs and use of a different breed name avoiding a common and potentially misleading term helps to distinguish such traits.
Ovcharka
Ovcharka may refer to the following dogs:*Caucasian Ovcharka*Central Asian Ovcharka*South Russian Ovcharka...
Ovtcharka (овчарка afˈtɕarkə) is a term of Russian origin used to describe the working dog specializing in working with sheep. Originated from ovtsa (oвца, sheep in Russian), ovtchar (sheep herder, or farm employee maintaining sheep).
Though the term itself does not specify whether the dog is a herding dog
Herding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
or a livestock guardian dog
Livestock guardian dog
A livestock guardian dog is a domesticated canine used to defend livestock against predators. LGDs are commonly referred to as "sheep dogs" since they most often have guarded flocks of sheep, but most are capable of guarding other species of livestock. They are classified as pastoral dogs...
, it refers in this case to livestock guardian and protection breeds of Russian origin for the simple reason that there are no herding breeds originating from Russia. At the same time, it is used as a part of breed name in Russian for shepherds or sheepdogs imported into the country.
When Russian cynologists named dog breeds, they often used a combination of country of origin
Country of origin
Country of origin , is the country of manufacture, production, or growth where an article or product comes from...
and the term Ovtcharka, meaning that this shepherd dog came from a specific region. For example, a shepherd of German origin is known in Russian as Nemetskaja Ovtcharka, which translates as German Shepherd.
Over the years, the term Ovtcharka has become common outside Russia and other countries where Russian is commonly spoken because of three livestock guardian breeds of Russian origin: Caucasian Ovtcharka, Central Asian Ovtcharka and South Russian Ovtcharka. The reason for the continuing use of this term instead of “shepherd” or “sheepdog” is the necessity to differentiate between a livestock guardian dog (especially of Russian origin) and a herding dog (commonly called Shepherd in English). All three breeds have different mentalities and much greater protection instincts than a German Shepherd or other popular herding dogs and use of a different breed name avoiding a common and potentially misleading term helps to distinguish such traits.
Glossary
- Австралийская овчарка KelpieKelpieThe kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland; the name may be from Scottish Gaelic cailpeach or colpach "heifer, colt".-Description and behaviour:...
- Английская овчарка English ShepherdEnglish ShepherdThe English Shepherd is an extremely versatile breed of working dog of the collie lineage, developed in the United States from farm dogs brought by English and Scottish settlers to early America. The English Shepherd is a highly intelligent, practical all-around farm dog, being used as a herding...
- Кавказская овчарка Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Немецкая овчарка German Shepherd DogGerman Shepherd DogThe German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
- Среднеазиaтская овчарка Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Староанглийская овчарка Old English SheepdogOld English SheepdogThe Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog which was developed in England from early herding types of dog. The Old English Sheepdog has very long fur covering the face and eyes...
- Шотландская овчарка Sheltie
- Южнорусская овчарка South Russian Ovtcharka