Central Asian Shepherd Society of America

NORMAL TEMPERAMENT RANGES IN Central Asian Shepherd Dogs

Historical Use of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog also known as CASD, served as the all-purpose working dog threw out Central Asia. In order to fulfill these duties the dog needed to possess enough confidence to protect his family, enough reliability to work with people and livestock, enough structural soundness to work in extreme conditions, with stamina to follow a nomadic tribe between there winter & summer pastures covering thousand of miles.

Normal Range of Activity Levels in the CASD

Variation in the range of activity levels exists in the CASD breed as it does in all breeds.
Variation can occur within litters and between individuals. It is important to get a puppy from an experienced breeder who can honestly evaluate activity levels and temperaments.
An experienced breeder will match each puppy in the litter with the best possible home at
the time of placement.

Example: Not all dogs bred from hunting parents from generations of hunting dogs have the ability to function as a hunter. This is no different for a CASD, temperaments on puppies do not start appearing until food is introduced, at about 5 weeks and can change drastically until placements at 10 weeks.
Some CASD’s have higher energy levels than others. These pups may be better suited to
a show or performance home, but may not necessarily be the first choice for an older
couple or a family with small children. Conversely, a very laid back, low energy CASD
would not be the best choice for a competitive home. Keep in mind that varying levels of energy are seen within this breed. In order to obtain a positive CASD-to-owner relationship, the pups must be placed properly by conscientious breeders and subsequently raised & socialized properly by their new owners.

There are 3 Primary functions in the past and present for the breed.

Sadly the future for many breeds seem to be the show ring.

Due to the rarity of the breed many of these lines need to be crossed to insure the survival of the breed. Thus it takes a min of 2 generations of a breeders selection of preferred to be seen uniformity in a litter.

1. Livestock/Nomadic Lines: -Oldest and 1st job function of the breed. These dogs can be seen today on National Geographic nomadic tribes as guardians of the nomads of Central Asia, they do not per say lie with livestock, because the livestock is being ridden by humans, IE Camels, Cattle. They protect from within a huge migrating family from all potential threats..

Lower active defense drive, a typical Livestock dog will, Bark, Posture , Growl, Tooth Butt, last resort Attack.

Dog Dominance 2 Bones

Pro: Excellent for ranch homes whose primarily concern is 4 legged predators and warning off of human threats. Based on a puppies evaluation may be best suited for households with supervised children. Very attached to emotion of owners. Not suited for higher levels of protection.

You will see these dogs passing CGC-TDI- and ATTS Protection TT’s.

They simply warn 1st ~ react 2nd.. Lower levels of obedience, independent but not aloof..

Dog Dominance: Is a requirement for a livestock dog in order to establish rank within a pack and to protect from outsiders LGD’s must be able to work with other dogs to protect against packs of wolves of larger predators such as Bear or Cougar. Appearance: Ranging range from the mastiff type to desert leggier type.

2 Sentry lines: Last 80 years These dogs evolved from nomadic livestock dogs, due to the former USSR occupation of Central Asia- guard dogs were needed more so than LGD‘s.

They needed to be utilized as guardian of warehouses ,estates & government run businesses.

So these dogs were bred to work with man more closely than all others. They also needed to work in CLOSE proximity of other dogs. You will see abbreviations such as OKD & KS 1-2-3 behind these dogs pedigree’s. The females were considered as important if not MORE important in the breeding program than the males. Something you do no often see in nomadic lines . These lines are much easier trained for obedience due to 3 + generations of selection for human interaction…However this still does not make them equal to breeds such a Labrador or Collies, just less independent than the other lines of CASD‘s. Higher active defense drive.towards human strangers, Aloof to strangers. In the USA you will see ATTS- and Protection TT’s behind some of these dogs.

Dog Dominance 1 Bone :

Pro: Higher Activity Level , requires obedience training more so than other lines. Appearance these dogs more often than not are very large dogs with longer coats . Pedigree‘s for these type of dogs were kept by the positions they held. Example “ Meat factory guards were pedigreed by the Meat factory they were bred in and worked for -before the formation of New Russia and the RKF.

3. Fighting lines/ Tested Dogs : Tested dogs in the aboriginal sense of no gambling go back hundreds of years, Fighting dogs is more a invention of the New Russians after the fall of the former USSR. Free enterprise did not permit huge public gambling outfits as it does today. The sport of Dog Fighting is legal in most of Russia, Ukraine & Central Asia These dogs have a huge range of temperaments from dogs primary used for dog fighting to dogs that are show champions and are required to be tested- in other words fought against another dog. The highest active defense to other dogs coupled with little socialization can turn this type very aggressive towards any strangers and or dog Line breeding on fighting lines will produce fear aggression. Con/Pro? In the US There is NO pro to having a dog fought/tested with other dogs.

In 2005 a US breeder imported many fighting lines into this country. Including a dog that himself has been fought . This line is also the only import in this country with a Aziat Champion Title.

Appearance dogs bred solely for the purpose of dog fighting will have very short coats, be smaller in size but wider in build. And the new lines effective 2001 forward will have undershot bites for gripping Many of these dogs take on the appearance of a Bulldog. Note :“Tested dogs” bred for the show ring as well as the occasional dog fight can look like any type of CASD..

Fighting Dogs:

Dog Aggression 5 Bones vs. Dog Dominance.

EXTREME Dog to Dog aggression & can not function as a working pack .

Attacks not to dominate but to destroy. Requires kennels . Without daily human interference these dogs will kill each other. Sometimes even within sexes. These lines are the least concentrated on protecting humans. You will see these dogs fought and shown in a dog show the very same day . Some top show win pictures if enlarged will show Blood on the dog from recent battles .

Testing: We are NOT going to excuse pitting one dog against another for any reason..

No male of any line is going to allow another male to force it to submit.

But a dog that wishes only to kill vs. dominate and drive away is a liability.

So in other term “Testing” is just cover up breeders use to fool you .

Ask the breeder if any of their dogs have been tested against another dog.

Evidence: Will be presented shortly in another format. DVD -and Jpegs

Conclusion: Due to the rarity of this breed in the USA. It is impossible to only breed one type of temperament of the CASD. However some breeders are breeding away from the fighting lines while others are specializing in them . If the breeder claims the dogs are therapy dogs , show dogs or working dogs ask for proof . TDI and Delta society certify dogs of good nature.

Claiming a dog is a Therapy dog without providing any form of official testing is a method of false advertising. Working dogs needs to work in a pack. Visit your breeder in person and determine if you were to have a multi dog household would you wish to live the same way they do.

Therapy Central Asian dogs? It is not the norm or natural for a CASD to be a Therapy dog. IT should be more of a exception to the rule. Some dogs can pass a TDI test, while very few can WORK at this specialized function. Since it is against the standard for the breed to TRUST all strangers . They should have a “Natural distrust of strangers” which can be altered with socialization but NEVER eliminated. Some dog fighting lines in which the distrust of strangers were bred out and the severe dog aggression in, can be more adaptable to therapy work If the dog shows no signs of protecting they will allow a strangers to alpha roll them. Yet if they were to work in close quarters with another dog they would be a liability.

Special Needs or Concerns when Considering a CASD

In any large breed there are special considerations that must be given to the slower maturation process, not only physically but also mentally. Care must be taken to make sure the pup is well socialized and taught basic manners from a very early age. Most breeders recommend puppy kindergarten classes from 2-6 months and beginning obedience classes from 6-12 months. Praise and food are wonderful motivators for the breed when used correctly. Harsher methods do not work as well and will actually make
for a very poor working relationship between owner and CASD. This breeds maturity towards natural distrust starts as early as 7 weeks. Puppies should be exposed to as much OUTSIDE stimuli & tested off property to insure the dogs nature away from familiar surroundings.


Special care must be taken when large breed pups and small children are together. They
should always be supervised so the kids and pups do not inadvertently hurt each other by
being too rough or jumping on each other. It is never a good idea to leave an unsupervised small child with any large breed puppy. Pups should be taught bite inhibition. Ian Dunbar has written extensively on this subject; it is recommended that you read and follow his advice. See "Where to go for Help" section below.) A large dog behaving in an unmannerly fashion can be frightening to the general public. A dog that lunges or growls at other animals -- even in fun -- can be perceived as a menace. You can and should teach your pup to be mannerly on a leash and to behave properly in public. You owe it to yourself, your pup, and the breed to have your dog on its best behavior while out in public. The early the puppy is exposed to a collar, leash and the public the better off the family is. Ask your breeder if the puppy is exposed to a collar and leash prior to your purchasing the puppy. A well-mannered, friendly, outgoing Central Asian is a treasure, but doesn't magically happen. It takes work & dedication on the part of both the breeder & the puppy owner to achieve. Breeders need to be extra careful to expose litters to outside stimuli
.

Range of Normal Temperaments in the CASD.

It should be noted that many characteristics in CASD might not become fully evident until they become adults. In many cases, puppy owners can modify the puppy's innate characteristics through proper socialization and training. The normal range of temperaments in the CASD can be from very high suspicion of strangers, to outgoing yet protective well called upon to defend.. Once introduced to strangers the CASD should never show signs of aggressiveness towards people nor should a CASD be so timid CASD should NEVER show owner dominance of any kind. They are emotionally attached to the very being of their owners, appearing often human like vs. a dog.

Properly introduced varies among this breed from a hand shake to a gesture, to a physical or verbal cue from the owner. It is not always instantly but once the stranger is accepted into the family , no reactions of aggression should occur. With the accept ions of aggressive actions of the stranger, example rough housing from the stranger to the owner should be discouraged in front of the dog. You may like when your buddy gives you a playful punch , but reassured your dog is NOT going to like it.. Our Breed Standard severely penalizes aggressiveness and excessive shyness, meaning that these are not "normal" temperaments. If the parents of the puppy are not approachable without the safely of a fence being between you ,do not buy a puppy from that litter.

The amount of hunting instinct demonstrated by a CASD can range from none at all to well developed. Subsequently, some CASD may be good with other small animals and some are NOT. Usually, CASD raised with other small animals in their households learn to accept these housemates, but may not take kindly to "strange" small animals that are not part of their families. Early socialization around different types of animals of all sizes will help the pup be a good citizen around other animals. Most pack oriented CASD when raised around other animals accept those animals as a member of their pack. However NOTE that all because your CASD loves your Cats, Yorkies, Ferrets, does NOT mean it will NOT Kill other animals of these breeds that trespass and threaten the establish members of the pack.

CASD think like this :MY Cat, MY Couch, My Car, My land, My owner, MINE MINE MINE & they will protect all they consider as theirs.. This includes temporarily camping sets ups. Any way you set down a possession of yours it is considered THERE area and they will protect…

It should be noted that in dealing with puppies, breeders are not infallible on puppy placement issues because puppy temperaments can change for better or worse over time depending on how the pup is raised. Usually, the longer the person has been breeding dogs the more experience they have. This provides an added benefit to the puppy buyer when questions arise or problems crop up with the pup later on.

Examples in Placing Pups within the Normal Range of Temperaments

If prospective owners live in the city, they will probably want a CASD that is friendly to everyone and has a relatively low hunting instinct, so that the dog will have a lower trigger to potential threats.. If new owners live in the country, a higher suspicion of strangers may be what is needed; and if the dog is going to be a working farm dog, dog dominance vs. aggression is an added bonus, particularly if the owner wants to have a range of pets or stock. Pet owners and breeders need to discuss what the expectations of the CASD is
going to be and determine if there is a CASD that will fit into that household.

Puppy buyers need to be patient and willing to wait for the right puppy for them. The average waiting period for a CASD us 3-18 months.

New Concerns: HD-ED- Crippling Acl Injuries.

The USA has been known to ruin breeds by taking their natural ability to work & turn them into fluffy show dogs. Sadly in 2006 this will be fate for this breed as well

Breeders are now correcting severely crippled dogs with surgery & planning on breeding them. Thus removing the natural selection process that has kept this breed strong for thousands of years. Ask your breeder if the dogs being bred have been altered with surgery to correct issues that would have been weeded out by nature..