Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog Basics
One glance at the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is all it takes to know that this breed was developed for herding and guarding livestock. Its large, stocky build and thick, dense coat is enough to suggest as well that this is a mountain breed. Both of these observations are correct – the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog was developed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania where it served as a shepherd dog and herd protector. In addition to faithfully fulfilling his duty, this breed is known for his calm and well-mannered temperament.
One glance at the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is all it takes to know that this breed was developed for herding and guarding livestock.
Origin
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog was developed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania in the typical livestock guardian type. The breed was actually developed from a natural Carpathian breed, chosen for his utility and his vigorous appearance. The name Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog refers both to the breed’s country of origin and his purpose – the word “mioara” in Romanian means “young sheep”. The breed is not yet recognized by the AKC but it was recognized by the UKC in July 2006.
Pedigree
The exact origins of the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog are unknown but it is descended from large molosser dogs and was developed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania.
Food/Diet
As a large-breed dog, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for larger breeds – make sure it features an animal protein as the first ingredient. This dog is also a working breed by nature, so he may do well on an active or working breed formula as long as you are careful about overfeeding to prevent obesity.
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a very smart and disciplined breed which means that he responds well to training.
Training
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a very smart and disciplined breed which means that he responds well to training. Because this breed was developed for guarding livestock, however, he can sometimes develop a bit of an independent streak and may be quite stubborn at times. Another factor to consider for this unique breed is the fact that he bonds very closely with his family, particularly with one member. For this reason, it is best to wait to start training this breed until he has established a relationship with the person who will be training him. With this connection, and with positive reinforcement training methods, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog makes a wonderful working breed or family companion.
Weight
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a large-breed dog, standing between 25 and 29 inches tall and weighing up to 150 pounds at maturity. Males of the breed are a little larger than females in both height and weight, standing 27 to 29 inches tall versus 25 to 28 inches. Males grow up to 150 pounds while females usually top out around 120 pounds.
Temperament/Behavior
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a calm and mild-mannered dog by nature, but he does have strong protective instincts and will stop at nothing to defend the ones he loves. He forms strong bonds with family, though they can sometimes take time to develop, and he requires a strong hand in leadership. For this reason, this breed is best for experienced dog owners. When properly trained and socialized, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog makes a wonderful family companion, though he will always be a little bit aloof and suspicious around strangers.
Common Health Problems
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a fairly healthy breed in general, but all dogs are prone to certain health problems. The breed’s size may put him at risk for musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia, as well as a dangerous condition called gastric torsion.
Life Expectancy
The average lifespan for the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is thought to be about 12 to 14 years which is fairly long for a breed of its size.
Exercise Requirements
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is not an overly active breed, but he does require a fair bit of daily exercise. These dogs are bred to roam the mountains all day long in care of their herd, so your dog won’t do well if he’s left at home for long periods of time without physical activity. His size also means that he requires a good deal of space.
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is a calm and mild-mannered dog by nature.
Recognized Clubs
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is not currently recognized by the AKC but he is recognized by the FCI and the UKC. The FCI classifies him in Group 1 as a Sheepdog and the UKC as a Herding Dog.
Coat
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog has the typical sheepdog coat – it is thick, dense, and fairly shaggy. As a Romanian breed, these dogs are well adapted to surviving cold weather which means that they have a double coat. The undercoat is thick and soft while the outer coat is fairly straight, abundant, and harsh. The coat typically measures about 4 inches long on the head and body but may be shorter on the legs. Colors vary from solid white or gray to piebald with a ground color and various markings.
Puppies
Because the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog grows to over 100 pounds at maturity, it is important to keep puppies from growing too quickly – excessive growth can increase the dog’s risk for developing musculoskeletal issues. Puppies should be fed a high-quality large-breed puppy formula until they reach 80% of their adult weight. Then they can be switched to a large-breed adult formula. Early socialization and training is also essential for this breed.
Photo credit: volofin/Shutterstock; Danilovski/Shutterstock; Weblogiq/Shutterstock
