The Georgian Shepherd also known as Georgian Mountain Dog is a molosser-type livestock guardianbreed of dog with ancient working origins in the GeorgiaCaucasus. There are two kinds of Georgian livestock guardian dogs: the short haired "Lion" type, typically pure white or white with dark patches on its coat and the long hair "Bear" type are typically dark brown to black head and lighter brown covering the rest of the coat. In Georgia they are known as, Qartuli Nagazi. The short hair "Lion" type is considered to the oldest or Aboriginal variant of the breed, with the pure white being the rarest coat color. The "Lion" variant was predominantly found in the north-east regions of Georgia: Kazbegi, Khevsureti, and Tusheti, but is also found in the adjacent mountainous border areas of Russia and Azerbaijan.
Description
Because of their morphology and lineage, Georgian shepherds fall into the Molosser category. Male Georgian mountain dogs should be at least in height at the withers; females should be at least in height. Physically, these dogs are strongly-boned, muscular, and athletic, with a large head and powerful legs. Georgian mountain dogs tend to be assertive, brave, and alert. Shepherds traditionally used Georgian mountain dogs for defending sheep from predators.
History
The Cynological Federation of Georgia has had a strict battle with the Russian federation of Cynologs about Caucasian Shepherd dog. In 2012, the International Cynological Federation was to have decided which national breed would be the Caucasian Shepherd Dog as a result of this heated discussion. After the removal of most of the Qartuli Nagazi from Georgia, Georgian enthusiasts with support from the Ministry of Environment began expeditions to the regions of Georgia to describe and take photos of the remaining Georgian shepherds. Georgia started advertising the breed using television broadcasting and printing articles about Georgian shepherds in order to popularize the breed. Following the Soviet collapse, Georgia began to popularise this dog. Today, the goal is to breed another rare Georgian shepherd, Georgia's ancient white shepherd.Georgian shepherds are still used in dog fighting.
