Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Sarplaninac
Side by side
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Sarplaninac
Adult weight
Males 50–65 kg (110–143 lb); females 45–59 kg (99–129 lb) (estimated: FCI 328's minimums (dogs 50 kg, bitches 45 kg) to minimum +30%)
Males 35–45 kg (77–99 lb); females 30–40 kg (66–88 lb)1
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes2
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Daily brushing
Exercise
A moderate amount
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog
Which suits you
Size
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is larger on average: about 55 kg (120 lb) as an adult, against 38 kg (83 lb) for the Sarplaninac.
Grooming
The Sarplaninac needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Caucasian Shepherd Dog: barks to alert, then settles; Sarplaninac: very vocal).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: likes its own space.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
The breed is bold, fearless and devoted to its own household, but strongly territorial and suspicious of strangers.
Sarplaninac
Pinschers & molossoids · Large
In temperament it is calm and devoted to its own people and animals but distinctly wary of strangers, and it readily defends its ground. It is also independent-minded.
Breed traits
Day to day
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Sarplaninac
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Sarplaninac
Affection
Likes its own space
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Sarplaninac
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog grows to the heavier adult, about 55 kg against the Sarplaninac's 38 kg. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog's weight is not a published figure.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Sarplaninac
More comparisons
Compare the Caucasian Shepherd Dog with
Sources
- 1
- 2Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 3
- 4Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 5Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 6American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 7
Parts of this page were written by AI ·