Buying a Central Asian Shepherd (Ovcharka) Puppy

NEWS!!

Turkmen and Inca

Pups available from early to mid January only to the right environment tel Nino on 07956 589059

Buying a puppy to guard your home and family should be done with great care and only with the assistance of a competent person.

The wrong thing to do is to choose a dog purely by its reputation and supposed guarding instincts and simply hope for the best. It is a misconception amongst many dog owners that any dog can become a good guard dog. With over 40 years of experience I have realised that finding a good guard dog is not quite so straightforward. Almost all dogs, if trained, can become a good defence dog but few can be transformed into a good guard dog, the territoriality must be selected, it is within their genes, the dog either has it or it doesn't.

Often I am offered dogs of 3 to 4 years old whom after having had guard dog training just don't make the mark, unfortunately, these are the dogs that we often read about in papers or magazines that have unexpectedly bitten their owners or their children. It is extremely important to take home a dog that lives up to the full expectation, and to do so provides an investment of unparalleled value.

Imagine how much you could spend on a 24-hour surveillance system, 365 days a year, calculate for an average of 10 years to guard 24 hours a day,

 you would need 4 different security guards working six hour shifts, then factor in sickness, holidays etc, all this without the slightest guarantee with regards to the staffs incorruptibility, a factor that a good Central Asian Shepherd (Ovcharka) would offer you.

To take home the wrong dog, to find after a couple of years it's not what you need, and then the guilt to try and re-home the animal, I am not saying that it is wrong, as I have the utmost respect for those who choose a dog to provide the simple pleasures of friendship and cuddles.

Most prospective owners believe that to acquire a dog that will mature into a trusted adult it is necessary to buy them as a puppy. Unfortunately this is a misconception, since their future reliability depends on many factors that are not dependant on age. It is quite common for owners to have to call in dog behavioural experts at a later stage to correct issues that have been caused by the owners themselves. In this instance it would be better to buy a year old dog that has been bred and selected by an expert and properly trained.

However, for those with suitable experience, a 60 to 90 day old puppy can be the cheapest option, but should only be undertaken by those with prior experience and time to devote over the following 4 to 6 months whilst following specific instructions provided by an expert. This option is rarely suitable for a family with young children for a number of reasons.

The 4 to 10 month old puppy is the best choice to make, at this stage most of the dogs characteristics will have been formed and they will mature further with age. It goes without saying that the cost of such a pup will be higher due to the investment made in training and VET bills. This is a better option for those with small children. It is important, however, that the breeder demonstrates the puppies’ ability to behave whilst on a leash, and be predisposed to children whilst still demonstrating good guarding instincts whilst within the confines of its own property. Without this demonstration, the puppy would be of far less value and should cost less than the equivalent 60 day old dog.

A one year old and over will be ideal for those that want a dog that is ready to guard, however, it is imperative to take meticulous care when making the change of ownership from breeder to new owner, this should only be undertaken under the supervision of an expert as clearly the new owner would appear, initially as a stranger to the animal. If done correctly, and the dog has been well prepared the process should not take that long to complete resulting in the dog adapting to a new home and family.

Only consider a purchase of an animal that is over 3 years of age if done so via a trustworthy breeder. Usually, if it’s a good dog, it will be much more expensive to buy due to the additional investment in upkeep and enhancements. It must still be able to demonstrate its ability to guard otherwise you should avoid, even if the price seems very low.

Other factors to take in to account when buying a Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Ovcharka) is to make sure that the animal has all of the correct documentation, ENCI, FCI or other recognised bodies. Don’t buy unless you know the breeder or the breeder comes highly recommended. Don’t be taken in by stories regarding the dog’s blood line, always ask for proof. Don’t just buy because the dog’s ancestors were great dogs, or show champions or were the biggest or had the best looks. Don’t buy because the blood lines are of fighting dogs, these are normally very aggressive towards other dogs and can be indifferent to man. Don’t buy just because the breeder is from Central Asia, therefore assuming that the animal must be the real deal. Do not buy dogs that have been inbred for cosmetic purposes. You need to see the father and the mother, especially within the presence of her pups in order to ascertain the character.

Looking for more information see our CONTACT Central Asian Shepherd Dog Breeder page