Karst Shepherd
FCI 278
60 cmAdult male
at the withers
at the withers
- Mass
- 30–42 kgDorosłe samce lub zakres wskazany we wzorcu
Karst Shepherd — size comparison
The Karst Shepherd is a strong dog with a grey coat, darker facial mask and abundant neck ruff. It has a broad head, drooping ears and a bushy tail. Hair varies
Silhouette comparison
Height
Ground withersReference values · details in the profiles
HeightScale in cm
0204060
60 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Karst Shepherd — size comparison — facts and sources
The Karst Shepherd is a strong dog with a grey coat, darker facial mask and abundant neck ruff. It has a broad head, drooping ears and a bushy tail. Hair varies in lightness across different body parts, emphasising the distinctive colouring. Overall it resembles a calm, powerful guardian of a mountain homestead.
The breed comes from Slovenia's Karst region, where dogs helped protect livestock. Local dogs were described in a work by Janez Vajkart Valvasor from 1689. During the twentieth century, the Karst Shepherd and Šarplaninac were for a time grouped under the shared name Illyrian Shepherd. In 1968 the names were separated, emphasising the distinct breeds and their regions of origin.
With familiar people the Karst Shepherd is usually attached and calm. It watches strangers with reserve and quickly becomes attentive when someone appears near the home. It can cooperate with its owner while retaining its own opinion. It sometimes independently investigates anything it considers concerning. Its courage involves readiness for decisive responses, while everyday behaviour can be gentle and unhurried.