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🐕‍🦺 X-Large · Central Asia

Central Asian Shepherd Dog: Size, Weight & Temperament

An ancient, giant-sized livestock guardian dog from Central Asia with an extremely strong protective and territorial instinct, historically used to defend livestock against wolves.

! Experienced only
Central Asian Shepherd Dog dog breed portrait
Photo: Томасина · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Resized and recompressed
Weight male50–79 kg
Weight female40–65 kg
Shoulder height60–78 cm
Size classX-Large (over 45 kg)
Fully grownat approx. 24 months
Life expectancy10–12 years
Activity levelModerate
OriginCentral Asia
ClassificationFCI Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 2.2 (Molossoid, Mountain type)

Central Asian Shepherd Dog: temperament & character

Independent, wary of strangers, and highly territorial, yet calm and reserved with its own family. Obedience in the classic sense is foreign to the breed, which prefers to act on its own judgment.

How much exercise does a Central Asian Shepherd Dog need?

Doesn't need a marathon of exercise, but daily free running in generously fenced grounds along with a clear guarding task are important for its balance. It tends to patrol rather than play.

Central Asian Shepherd Dog: grooming & shedding

The dense double coat sheds heavily on a seasonal basis and needs more intensive brushing during that time. Given its sheer size, feeding and veterinary costs are also considerable.

Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog suitable for beginners?

Suitable only for very experienced owners with livestock-guardian or giant-breed experience, a secure property, and a willingness to provide consistent, lifelong leadership. Not suitable for novices or city apartments.

Central Asian Shepherd Dog health problems

Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common in this giant breed, and as with all deep-chested giant breeds, there is an elevated risk of bloat (gastric torsion).

Is a Central Asian Shepherd Dog right for you?

With childrenWith reservations
SheddingA lot
Grooming effortModerate
BarkingA lot
Home aloneGood
Other petsWith reservations
TrainabilityDemanding

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog sheds heavily and is usually not suitable for allergy sufferers. The trigger protein Can f 1 comes from saliva and dander and spreads through the home on shed hair.

Good with: experienced livestock-guardian owners, large fenced properties

Is your Central Asian Shepherd Dog at a healthy weight? Calculate the ideal weight and the right portion size for free in the Souldog app.

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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.