The Sarplaninac is a livestock breed with a rich history. This ancient breed comes from the mountainous region of southeastern Yugoslavia, which was once called Illyria in Roman times. These dogs are named after the Šar Mountains from which they originated, and “Sarplaninac” translates to “dog of the mountains.” Despite their ancient history, they were not recognized until 1939 by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as the Illyrian Shepherd Dog. In 1957, the name was changed to the Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog Sharplanina.

Calm, independent, and intelligent, these dogs are worthy of knowing about, so come along with us to learn all about the Sarplaninac.

Breed Overview

The Sarplaninac’s exact origin is not fully known, but it’s speculated that the breed is a descendant of ancient Molossian breeds of Greece and ancient livestock guarding dogs of Turkey. The Tibetan Mastiff is also thought to be in the gene pool. These dogs are not well-known in the United States; it was illegal to transport Sarplaninacs from Yugoslavia until 1970. Interestingly, the first to arrive in the U.S. had to be carried down the mountains by mule.

Today, the Sarplaninac is still used for predatory control, and the United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1995; however, they are not recognized by the AKC. Protective, loyal, and fearless, the Sarplaninac serves an excellent purpose as a guarding livestock breed.

Sarplaninac Characteristics

Sarplaninac Puppies

You’ll be hard-pressed to find Sarplaninacs due to their rarity, but you can find a few select breeders in the United States. Puppies take longer to develop due to the breed’s medium to large size and require early socialization to become ideal companions and to get along with other pets. Puppies are adorable little fluff balls with thick, double coats, with iron-gray being the most prominent color they are known for. However, they come in many solid colors. These dogs look bigger than they are when fully grown due to their thick, double coats and heavy-boned bodies.

They are born with an independent nature and thrive on having a job to do. Before searching for a Sarplaninac puppy, you must know that their independent nature makes them better suited for an experienced dog owner. They have a calm nature and are capable of becoming a loyal family member with proper training. They take their jobs as livestock guardians very seriously and need minimal direction, staying with their herds for days using their strong intuition. If you live in a rural area and need a livestock protector, the Sarplaninac may be an excellent choice.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Sarplaninac 🧠

The Sarplaninac is calm, fearless, protective, and independent. They are not overly affectionate but can form strong bonds with their owners and will protect them to the fullest once a bond has been established. They are not really playful and prefer having a job to do, given their working breed status (guarding and herding livestock). These dogs are well-mannered and intelligent but can be a bit stubborn, as they are independent thinkers. They are not excessive barkers but will bark to alert you to potential danger or while guarding and herding livestock.

Sarplaninacs are diggers; they dig holes when temperatures rise to stay cool. They are also strong dogs who need an owner with the strength to control them, especially on a leash. They are wary of strangers but are calm most of the time.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Sarplaninac makes a wonderful family companion with the right, experienced owner. They are calm dogs and even have patience with children. However, supervision is recommended with small children, considering their medium to large size. These dogs are excellent watchdog and guard dogs, as they are fearless and extremely protective of their flock, whether humans or animals. They are headstrong, and even with proper training, they may ignore commands if they feel the need to override your command.

It’s best to have a large, fenced yard with plenty of room for these dogs to run. If you live on a farm or in a rural area, even better. They are not suitable for apartment life due to their medium size and desire to have a job to do, as they are not completely adaptable. However, with patience and dedication, you can teach the Sarplaninac to follow commands and become a well-mannered family dog. They require an experienced trainer with a firm hand and the ability to establish dominance.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Sarplaninac gets along well with other dogs with early socialization or born into a family with a dog already present; otherwise, they can be aggressive with other dogs. Remember that they are livestock guardians, so pairing them with smaller animals, like cats and exotic animals, is not the best idea.

Things to Know When Owning a Sarplaninac

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These dogs require a complete and balanced diet of high-quality dog food. The food should contain all the necessary nutrients they need to thrive, especially if they are used as working dogs. Ensure that you keep the Sarplaninac at a healthy weight (between 66 and 100 pounds) and follow the feeding guidelines to keep them at an ideal range. The food should omit fillers and artificial ingredients and include high-quality protein, like chicken, beef, lamb, or turkey, with protein listed first in the ingredients list.

Ensure the food is appropriate for your Sarplaninac’s age (puppy, adult, senior), and only provide enough treats that account for 10% of the daily diet. You should feed 4 cups daily divided between morning and evening feedings (2 cups in the morning, 2 cups in the evening).

Exercise 🐕

The Sarplaninac requires much physical and mental stimulation to be happy. They require active families who can exercise the Sarplaninac 60 to 70 minutes per day with walks; if you’re a runner or hiker, the Sarplaninac will stride along with you. Due to their high energy, they can become destructive if bored, but if you use the breed for guarding livestock, they will be busy daily, as they take the job at hand seriously, taking care of both physical and mental needs.

Training 🎾

These dogs are intelligent, but remember that they are independent and may display a stubborn streak with commands. They need an experienced owner with the skills to establish dominance in the family pack, as well as the patience and dedication needed to train them properly. Owners with a firm and consistent training strategy, as well as patience and dedication, can train these dogs successfully, but don’t be surprised if the Sarplaninac disobeys commands occasionally.

Grooming ✂️

The thick, double coat requires maintenance, and you’ll need to brush the coat a couple of times a week. They do shed, with heavier shedding in the fall and spring, meaning the coat will benefit from being brushed three to four times a week to remove loose hair.

It’s important to note that you should never shave a Sarplaninac’s coat. The thick, double coat provides warmth in the cold, harsh climate the breed originated from. If you shave the coat, it might not grow back properly and will fail to protect the Sarplaninac from cold temps. All the coat needs is a good brushing a couple of times a week and a little more during the heavier shedding months of spring and fall.

Keep the nails at an ideal length to prevent them from becoming too long. Brush the teeth as often as possible; you can also provide dental treats between teeth brushing sessions.

Health and Conditions 🏥

These robust dogs are mainly healthy and are not prone to many inherited genetic conditions. However, they are not immune to a few possible medical conditions, especially with their medium to large build.

Male vs. Female

Males are slightly taller and larger in size than females, and males may be a bit more aggressive with scent marking and mounting. Nonetheless, there is not much difference between the two sexes.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sarplaninac

1. They Are Strong With Powerful Teeth

These dogs have large teeth and extraordinary strength, both of which make them excellent livestock guardians—add this to their fearless and protective nature and no predatory animal can stand a chance.

2. They Are a National Symbol

The Sarplaninac is a national symbol of pride in the country of Macedonia. They are so respected and loved in this country that the breed is featured on their official currency, the Denar coin. They are also an emblem of a small town called “Town of Dragas,” which lies in the Prizen District of Kosovo.

3. They Have a Gentle Disposition

Despite their fierce and protective nature, these dogs are considered gentle giants when not protecting their humans and livestock, which is hard to imagine with their heavy-boned bodies and large teeth. Even though they have an independent nature, they are loyal and devoted to their families once a bond has been established. They can pick up on human emotion and are calm and reserved while not on duty.

Final Thoughts

The Sarplaninac has an impressive history of being a livestock guardian and fierce protector of their family, but they are not for everyone. They require an owner with dedication and patience to train the breed, in addition to a firm training style that establishes dominance. They are, however, intelligent, calm, and loyal. They are also protective, independent, and fearless.

These dogs do best with owners who have rural or farmland, where they can put their working skills to use. If you are an experienced dog owner and need a loyal companion to guard livestock, the Sarplaninac is the perfect choice.

Featured Image Credit: OgnjenO, Shutterstock